Aaron Rodgers Criticizes Steelers' Travel Plans for Ireland Game After Friday Arrival

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers will be playing the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland on Sunday at 9:30 a.m ET (2:30 p.m. local time).

The Steelers arrived in town a little after 8 a.m. local time on Friday, but Rodgers told reporters that he wished the team got into Dublin early this week, per comments relayed by ESPN's Brooke Pryor.

"It is what it is, but if the schedule had been a little different, if I could have chosen it, maybe we get over on Monday; Tuesday is the day off," Rodgers told reporters in a press conference before the team's Friday practice. "Good to get out, see some things. It's a beautiful country, it seems like, from pictures."

Per Pryor, the Steelers practiced on Wednesday and Thursday before taking off for Dublin on Thursday evening.

Per Pryor, who cited league sources, NFL teams are in charge of their own schedule. However, Steelers owner Art Rooney II stated that the team "worked with the league in a joint discussion." In addition, he added that the team's determination on its travel schedule was a "football decision."

"I would've liked to have the guys over here for a few more days, too," Rooney said. "But we're in the middle of the season, so we had to do what's best for the football side of things."

Per Pryor, the Steelers are residing in a self-contained hotel roughly an hour outside the Dublin city center. Pittsburgh is also practicing there with the hotel having practice fields on the property.

Despite the short stay in Ireland before the game, Rooney did say the Steelers would have some time to check out Dublin, particularly on Saturday afternoon.

The Steelers have started the season with a 2-1 record. They opened the regular season with a 34-32 road win over the New York Jets before falling at home to the Seattle Seahawks, 31-17. However, the Steelers bounced back with a 21-14 road win at the New England Patriots to move over .500.

The 41-year-old Rodgers, who is in his first year with Pittsburgh, has completed 65.1 percent of his passes for 586 yards and seven touchdowns (three interceptions).

Minnesota is also 2-1, with wins over the Chicago Bears (27-24) and Cincinnati Bengals (48-10) sandwiched around a 22-6 home loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

Now they'll face off in the first-ever regular season game in Ireland. Croke Park will host the proceedings.