Aaron Rodgers Takes Blame, Tomlin Says 'We Stunk It Up' in Steelers' Loss to Chargers

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged the four-time MVP didn't play up to the standard that was needed in Sunday's 25-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

"This was not my best performance," Rodgers told reporters. "I got to play better than this for us to win. Whatever it takes ... if it's better checks, if it's better throws, whatever it is, I got to play better. I will. ... We got to play better on offense, for sure. But this is part of the season. There's ebbs and flows, there's ups and downs, and we can't ride the wave."

The 41-year-old went 16-of-31 for 161 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was also sacked three times, one of which resulted in a safety.

At 5-4, the Steelers still lead the AFC North. Tomlin isn't drawing any big-picture conclusions from Sunday's effort on the field.

"I'm not lacking confidence," he said. "I don't need a pat on the back. We stunk it up tonight. We'll be back."

▶️ Full Steelers-Chargers Recap

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Sunday night illustrated the risk in making Rodgers the Plan A in addressing your quarterback situation this offseason.

The 10-time Pro Bowler was frustratingly inaccurate at times.

"A lot of stuff wasn't working," he said. "We were bad on third down. I was just a little bit off. I missed DK [Metcalf] early. Could have been a big play. … I missed some throws for sure. And then we weren't getting guys open … times the guys were open, I missed some throws I usually make."

More worrying, Rodgers looked like somebody in his 40s playing on a surgically repaired Achilles when the Chargers applied pressure.

A signal-caller with his experience should've had more awareness than he displayed on the sack by Khalil Mack in the end zone.

For the season, Rodgers is averaging 205.9 passing yards per game, his fewest ever as a full-time starter. His 6.93 adjusted yards per attempt are on pace to be his third-worst as well, per Pro Football Reference.

The Steelers can take some encouragement from their position in the standings and the general state of their division. But this is a team with an aging quarterback under center and a defense that's allowing the fifth-most yards per game (376.0).

Something needs to change in order for Pittsburgh to avoid what would be a fifth straight playoff exit in the Wild Card Round, assuming the team makes the postseason in the first place.