Rodgers Questions Steelers Play-Calling After Loss to Patriots

Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed dissatisfaction with the Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive play-calling following their 20-3 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday. Rodgers, who completed 59.5 percent of his passes for 408 yards and one touchdown over the first two games, implied that the game plan may need to be streamlined.

"If there's too much stuff in the plan, we've got to cut it back," Rodgers told reporters after the Steelers fell to a 1-1 record. "I always like to push the envelope. If I see guys doing it the right way in practice, then I feel good about it, but we've got to practice the practice to the game, obviously, and all the details that come with it."

The Steelers' offense managed only 235 yards against the Patriots, with Rodgers contributing to the struggles by turning the ball over twice and being sacked four times for a loss of 43 yards.

Rodgers, however, also acknowledged personal responsibility, stating he needs to improve communication with the coaching staff. "In a game like today where there wasn't a lot of flow to it, we need to be better, and that starts with me at making sure Mike knows what's working, what's not working, our coaches know, so we can call stuff that we feel like has a better chance," he said.

Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, in his first season with the team and previously Rodgers's coach in Green Bay for 13 seasons, accepted blame for the play-calling.

"As an offensive coach, I always welcome the opportunity to play against pressure defense," McCarthy said. "I think it's clearly an opportunity for big play potential. That was not the case today. We didn't answer the bell. Our protections weren't clean. We had opportunities, whether it was communication and breakdowns, clearly in the first half that took away some opportunities for big plays. The run game was a little bit herky-jerky."

The Steelers' defense managed to limit Patriots quarterback Drake Maye to 208 yards and one interception on 14-of-22 passing. However, the unit still allowed significant plays, including a 39-yard touchdown run by Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson and a 63-yard pass from Maye to receiver Romeo Doubs.

Pittsburgh faces another challenging matchup next week when they host the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals.