“The Steelers looked moribund”: Rodgers under pressure as Pittsburgh falls flat against Patriots

T he Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2026 season believing they had assembled a roster capable of making noise in the AFC . Two games into the campaign, however, that optimism is already being tested. Sunday’s 20-3 loss to the New England Patriots was more than just a defeat. It was an offensive collapse that raised questions about whether Pittsburgh’s biggest offseason bets are going to pay off. The Steelers now sit at 1-1 and third place in the AFC North, but the bigger issue is how they looked getting there.

According to NFL.com senior news writer Kevin Patra, the Steelers appeared “moribund, out of sync and, frankly, boring” during the loss. It is difficult to argue with that assessment after watching an offense that struggled to sustain drives, failed to establish a running game and repeatedly put its quarterback in difficult situations.

The most glaring issue remains Aaron Rodgers

At 42 years old, Rodgers was brought in to stabilize the offense and elevate a team that believed it was only a quarterback away from contention. Instead, he endured a frustrating afternoon against New England. He struggled to navigate pressure, absorbed numerous hits and committed two costly fumbles that significantly altered the course of the game.

For a quarterback whose career has been defined by ball security and control, those mistakes stood out. The loss also highlighted a simple reality: Rodgers cannot carry this offense by himself. The Steelers invested heavily in DK Metcalf, expecting the star receiver to provide a dynamic complement in the passing game.

Through two weeks, that investment has yet to produce the expected results. Patra went so far as to call Metcalf a “net negative,” noting that the $32 million receiver has not played anywhere near the level Pittsburgh anticipated when it committed significant resources to acquiring him.

The issues extend beyond the passing game

Pittsburgh’s rushing attack has struggled to find traction, placing even more pressure on Rodgers and the receivers. Perhaps most surprising has been the performance of the offensive line. Entering the season, many analysts viewed the unit as one of the roster’s strengths. Against New England, however, it was overwhelmed. Pass protection broke down repeatedly, and the group failed to create consistent lanes in the running game.

When a veteran quarterback is constantly under pressure, the running game is ineffective and the receiving corps is not producing explosive plays, the result is exactly what Pittsburgh fans witnessed on Sunday: an offense that never seemed capable of taking control of the game. Still, before Steelers fans hit the panic button , some perspective is necessary.

The NFL season is only two weeks old. Teams routinely look dramatically different in September than they do in November and December. New offensive systems often take time to develop chemistry, particularly when a veteran quarterback is working with new teammates. Rodgers himself appeared to recognize that reality after the game.

“Can't feel sorry for ourselves. Can't point fingers. We've all got to play better,” Rodgers said. “The best teams are player-led teams, so we've got to keep taking the ownership.”

Rodgers taking accountability matters

Perhaps the most revealing part of his comments came when he acknowledged that communication between players and coaches must improve. “In a game like today where there wasn't a lot of flow to it, we need to be better, and it starts with me,” Rodgers added, emphasizing the importance of helping the coaching staff identify what is and is not working during games.

That accountability matters. One of the reasons Pittsburgh pursued Rodgers was his experience and leadership . If the offense is going to improve, it will likely start with the quarterback helping to diagnose and solve its issues. A 1-1 record is hardly cause for alarm, especially in September.

The AFC North remains tightly packed, and there is enough talent on the roster to expect better performances than what Pittsburgh showed in Foxborough. What Sunday's loss did reveal is that several key pieces of the offense have yet to click.

The offensive line has not played to expectations, the running game lacks rhythm, Metcalf has yet to emerge as a difference-maker and Rodgers has spent too much time operating under pressure. So is it time to panic? Not yet.