Aaron Rodgers had a rough Sunday in Pittsburgh. The Steelers fell 20-3 to the Patriots, and the noise around Rodgers grew louder almost immediately. But the loudest voice defending him this week came from somewhere unexpected — his brother Jordan. Just months after the two reconciled following years of estrangement, Jordan showed up on ESPN’s First Take and went to bat for the 42-year-old quarterback. It raised an obvious question: is this genuine football analysis, or is family loyalty doing the talking?
Why is Jordan Rodgers defending Aaron after the Steelers loss to the Patriots?
Jordan, 38 and a former NFL quarterback himself, pushed back against the criticism on First Take Wednesday. “Rodgers was actually very accurate down the field,” he said, pointing to drops and missed calls that masked what he described as precise throws. “The throws that were not completed because he threw a non-call or that were dropped down the field were on the money,” Jordan added, before clarifying, “Not trying to be a homer.“He also brought up a broader point about Pittsburgh’s offense. Jordan thinks the Week 2 result was misleading, arguing the Steelers were “a few drops and a few missed calls away from being absolutely explosive” as recently as Week 1. His message was simple: give it time.Part of that patience, Jordan explained, extends to the working relationship between Aaron and head coach Mike McCarthy. The two previously worked together in Green Bay, but Jordan noted they are still in a “feeling out process.” He compared it to reconnecting with “that ex you ended up getting back together with after a long time.” Awkward analogy, but it lands. Chemistry between a quarterback and a head coach takes reps to rebuild, and Jordan clearly believes that is still happening.For his part, Aaron kept things direct after the loss. He did not point fingers. “We’ve all got to play better, but I think we can all give a little more,” he said, adding that better communication with McCarthy and the coaching staff about what is and is not working has to start with him.
What does Jordan’s defense of Aaron say about their reconciliation?
The reconciliation itself is still relatively new. Aaron revealed earlier this year that he had ended a years-long rift with his parents and both of his brothers, Luke and Jordan. He described a series of meetings — visiting his parents in Chico, then heading to Nashville to see Luke, then catching up with Jordan separately. “There were tough conversations for sure,” Aaron said, “but I’m just in a much better headspace.“Jordan stepping forward publicly after a difficult loss is a meaningful signal. He did not have to appear on national television and defend his brother’s throws. He chose to. Whether that changes how anyone evaluates Aaron’s performance in Pittsburgh is another matter, but it does say something about where the Rodgers family stands right now.
