Aaron Rodgers' status for Steelers' preseason game vs. Buccaneers revealed by Mike Tomlin

Aaron Rodgers will wait at least another week before he plays in his first game as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rodgers is among the Steelers veterans who won't see the field when the Steelers host the Buccaneers in Saturday's second preseason game, according to coach Mike Tomlin. 

Along with Rodgers, Tomlin is also keeping out wideout DK Metcalf, tight ends Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth, guard Isaac Seumalo, running back Jaylen Warren, cornerbacks Darius Slay, Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey, safety DeShon Elliott, linebackers T.J. Watt, Patrick Queen, defensive tackle Cam Heyward, and kicker Chris Boswell. Tomlin did leave the light on for linebacker Nick Herbig, who did not play in Pittsburgh's preseason opener against the Jaguars. 

While he's open to playing in the preseason, Rodgers apparently doesn't see much value in it. The 41-year-old quarterback essentially said as much when he was recently asked bout the possibility of playing in any of Pittsburgh's preseason games. 

"I'm totally on board," Rodgers said, per 93.7 The Fan. "If [Tomlin] wants me to play, I'll play. If not, then I won't. ... Preseason football is not necessarily real football, because defenses don't really do a lot." 

Rodgers is right. While there are some clear benefits to preseason football (like going against someone other than your teammates), there isn't a lot that can be gained if you're a player of Rodgers' caliber. As Rodgers stated, offenses aren't facing defenses that are game planning against them, and vice versa. 

Really, the preseason at this point is used more to determine position battles as coaches try to get their rosters down to 53 players. It's not especially significant for established players, but it is important for bubble players and backups who may not get a lot of live reps when the regular season starts. 

Conversely, Rodgers said Thursday's joint practice with the Buccaneers will be much more beneficial because defenses tend to run their full menu of plays in joint practices as opposed to a preseason game, when game plans are usually more vanilla. 

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What should make Pittsburgh's joint practice with Tampa Bay even more beneficial is the fact Rodgers and Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will be matching wits with Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles, one of the NFL's most gifted defensive minds. It should certainly be a good test for a Steelers' offense that has been facing what Metcalf recently said is the "best defense I've ever seen" on a daily basis. 

"Our defense, obviously we added a lot of pieces to it," Rodgers said. "Always early in camp, with the pads going, the defense seems to have the edge, and then second week, it starts to turn a little bit. So I feel like we've been playing better." 

As far as Rodgers' status for Pittsburgh's preseason finale against the Panthers, Tomlin essentially tipped his hand when he was recently asked if he would ever consider not playing his starting his quarterback during the preseason. 

"Hey, this guy has been doing this for 21 years," Tomlin said. "His cumulative snap total and what's required for him to be ready is different than others. And so if I'm not adaptable and open to adjustments relative to the needs of our guys, then I'm not doing my job. And so you might be looking at one of those coaches in 2025"