Aaron Rodgers Hyped by Mike Tomlin, TJ Watt After Steelers Clinch Playoffs vs. Ravens

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin pointed to Sunday's 26-24 victory over the Baltimore Ravens as vindication for the team's offseason addition of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

"This was the vision in the spring when we pursued him," the coach told reporters after the game. "That's why you do business with a 42-year-old guy, been-there, done-that guy with a résumé like his. He's not only capable; he thrives in it. I think he put that on display tonight."

Star linebacker T.J. Watt echoed a similar refrain.

"You see the ball in the hands of [No.] 8 there, it's like, [Rodgers] is here for a reason. This is why he's here," Watt said. "This is the best dude in the NFL for this moment. And to be able to see him deliver on a big stage like that was incredible to see."

Rodgers went 31-of-47 for 294 yards and one touchdown. He led the offense on back-to-back touchdown drives in the fourth quarter, and Pittsburgh scored on four of its five second-half possessions.

▶️ Full Ravens-Steelers Recap

05:05

On the whole, Rodgers has shown his age in 2025. His 207.6 yards per game were a career low across a full season, and he has particularly struggled in the face of a consistent pass rush.

But the four-time MVP's composure in the latter stages of Sunday's contest also exemplified what he still brings to the table.

While their excitement is understandable, Tomlin and Watt might be guilty of reading a little too much into Rodgers' performance.

The Ravens allowed the second-most passing yards per game (247.9), and they tied for third-fewest sacks (30).

Baltimore's secondary struggled all year, and the unit was made worse Sunday after star safety Kyle Hamilton suffered a concussion. The inability to generate consistent pressure meant Rodgers had a lot of time in the pocket as well.

The Houston Texans, whom Pittsburgh hosts in the Wild Card Round, figure to pose a much different challenge. They surrendered an average of 183.5 yards through the air, and they boast a pair of pass-rushers (Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr.) who hit double digits in sacks.

Should the Steelers once again lose in the opening round, it will be a little harder to argue the Rodgers signing was actually worth it.