“I don't care”: The question that prompted Aaron Rodgers to snap at a reporter this week
Roman Wilson saw just six targets from his quarterback in Week 1.
The veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers helped the Pittsburgh Steelers open the 2026 NFL season with a win, but one question about Roman Wilson 's role quickly tested the 42-year-old’s patience.
The Steelers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 20-13 on September 13 , with Rodgers throwing for 221 yards and a touchdown. Yet the distribution of his passes immediately became a talking point after the game.
Whilst DK Metcalf led with 10 targets, Wilson saw just six and tied with running back Jaylen Warren for second on the team, prompting a reporter to ask where Rodgers ranks the receiver on his target list.
But he had little interest in entertaining the premise and the man who turns 43 in December responded bluntly by making it clear that workload was not something he believed the locker room was concerned about.
“I don't give a s**t about the target list,” Rodgers said. “I don't care about any of that. I love Roman. He's done a great job.”
“I thought he played fast last week; he played decisive, and he's just going to keep on getting better.
“The ball goes to the open guy. Nobody in the locker room talks about their targets. That's all for you guys to talk about.”
Wilson finished his first game of the season with three receptions for 26 yards and the attention surrounding him has been heightened by his development over preseason development - particularly after Rodgers publicly criticized him in practice.
T.J. Watt helps cover up uninspiring Aaron Rodgers performance
While the offense struggled to consistently generate momentum, T.J. Watt delivered the kind of performance the Steelers needed as the senior linebacker produced two sacks and made a decisive play in the fourth quarter.
Watt intercepted the Falcons ' Cooper Rush on a dump-off attempt intended for Bijan Robinson and returned the ball 35 yards for a touchdown, although he briefly stumbled during the return.
The play marked his second career touchdown and provided a major boost to a Pittsburgh defense that kept Atlanta under pressure throughout the afternoon as the Steelers recorded four sacks, six pass breakups and two interceptions.
The 31-year-old Watt 's performance offered an early response to questions surrounding his production after a difficult 2025 NFL campaign as some wondered if he could be too old after finished with just seven sacks, tied for the second-lowest total of his career.
But his Week 1 display provided an immediate reminder of his ability to influence games. Rodgers , meanwhile, endured an uneven return to the Steelers after eventually committing to the team.
He completed 24 of 40 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown to the tight end Pat Freiermuth , while the running game struggled to consistently relieve pressure against the Falcons ’ defense.
The offense did produce when it mattered most and Mike McCarthy therefore began his tenure as head coach with a victory, but there is work to be done on the offensive side of the ball.
With the Baltimore Ravens looking electric after a 41-23 victory over the Indianapolis Colts and the Cincinnati Bengals ’ defense looking competent in a 33-27 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , the AFC North could once again go down to the wire.
If the Steelers hope to reassure their fans they can win the division and clinch a berth to the NFL Playoffs , they will need a better display against the New England Patriots on September 20 before facing the Bengals in Week 3.
