Mike Florio Calls out Aaron Rodgers for His ‘Attitude of Resignation’
Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been quite expressive during games when things don’t go well for the Pittsburgh Steelers this season. When he’s not visibly yelling, he often displays a face that makes it easy to read what he’s likely thinking.
NFL insider Mike Florio argued Friday that Rodgers’s facial expressions hit a low point during the Week 10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
“The Bengals game, he looked irritated the whole time. On Sunday against the Chargers, he had more of an overall attitude of resignation,” Florio said of Rodgers on 93.7 The Fan this week, via Steelers Depot’s Matthew Marci. “And was it, ‘It’s not our night,’ or is it ‘It’s not our year,’ or is it, ‘I’m just done, and I’m not gonna get what I thought I was gonna get here in Pittsburgh?'”
Florio continued to read between the lines and assess Rodgers’s mindset based on his Week 10 facial expressions.
“I just feel like he’s accepting something,” Florio also said of Rodgers. “Whether it was just that night or the rest of the season, and ‘This is how my career’s gonna end,’ I don’t know.
“But he definitely had just kind of an acceptance that seemed like he was recognizing. ‘That’s all, folks.'”
The Many Facial Expressions of Aaron Rodgers
It’s Florio’s job to read between the lines and draw dramatic conclusions to stir discussion in the media. But his conclusion that Rodgers has accepted his fate in Pittsburgh because of a bad few weeks is going to be a bridge too far for a lot of fans.
Florio’s take on Rodgers didn’t come from sources or insider knowledge — it’s a feeling he has. His “feelings” or “guesses around the quarterback have been way off in the past.
Florio made an “educated guess” in March that it was going to cost $90 million on a two-year contract for the Steelers to sign the veteran quarterback. Rodgers’s deal with Pittsburgh was a one-year, $13.65 million contract.
Florio is right about one thing — it’s rather easy to decipher when Rodgers is displeased about something along the sidelines. Sunday night against the Chargers, there was plenty to be upset about with the Steelers.
Pittsburgh had only 221 yards and finished 2-for-11 on third down in Week 10. The offense didn’t reach the end zone until there was fewer than three minutes remaining in regulation.
Speaking of unhappy facial expressions, Mike Tomlin appeared rather disgusted based on his face during the third quarter. Again, that’s understandable based on how the team’s played on offense.
But talking about Tomlin’s expressions doesn’t make headlines. So, the coach’s face went largely unnoticed.
Rodgers Doesn’t Sound Like a QB Accepting His Fate
Sideline behavior can be a clear indication into a player’s mindset. But a postgame press conference can reveal that as well.
In his Week 10 postgame presser, Rodgers stated that the offense lacked energy.
“I feel like we were just kind of struggling a little bit, couldn’t get a play to get going,” Rodgers said. “We always say, ‘we just get a first down, we score on that drive.’ We had so many three and outs and we hurt ourselves with a couple penalties.
To a follow-up question, though, the quarterback clarified the low energy isn’t something happening a lot with the offense or team.
“It’s just sometimes in the game, when it’s just not going, it’s just one of those days where we just couldn’t quite get over the hump and get some first downs,” said Rodgers.
Based on those responses, Rodgers’s facial expressions were probably closer to “this isn’t our night” than “this isn’t our year.”
Detroit Lions Tight End Sam LaPorta Ruled Out For Week 11
Hold your fantasy football lineups, Lions fans. That collective groan you just heard was the sound of Detroit officially ruling out star Tight End Sam LaPorta for Sunday’s clash against the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s a gut punch, no two ways about it. LaPorta, fresh off a Pro Bowl season, has been battling a back injury and hasn’t seen the practice field all week.
The 24-year-old has been a reliable target for Jared Goff, racking up 489 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, making him second on the team in yardage. His absence leaves a gaping hole in the offense, and you can bet the Eagles’ defense is breathing a little easier today.
LaPorta Sidelined: What’s Next For the Lions?
So, who steps up when your stud tight end is in street clothes? Head Coach Dan Campbell, in his typical cool-as-a-cucumber fashion, isn’t hitting the panic button. His confidence seems to be squarely placed on the shoulders of Brock Wright.
“My confidence level is ‘sky high’ in Brock,” Campbell said. Now, that’s either some classic coach-speak to rally the troops or he knows something we don’t. Maybe both.
Campbell praised Wright as the team’s “jack of all trades.” He’s a guy who does the dirty work—run blocking, pass protection, special teams—without much of the glory. He’s not LaPorta, and nobody expects him to be. But the Lions need him to be dependable, a steady hand in a turbulent moment. Can he rise to the occasion on a big stage against a tough Eagles squad? The fate of a few drives might just depend on it.
Injury Woes Pile Up For Detroit
Unfortunately, the bad news doesn’t stop with LaPorta. The injury report is looking more like a MAS*H unit call sheet. The Lions also ruled out All-Pro Safety Kerby Joseph, who will miss his fourth straight game with a nagging knee injury. Adding to the secondary’s troubles, Cornerback Terrion Arnold is out with a concussion.
That’s three key starters sidelined for a crucial NFC showdown. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a team trying to build on its recent success. For the Lions, it’s next man up. For the fans, it’s time to cross your fingers, hold your breath, and maybe say a little prayer to the football gods.
