Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Gives Clear Reasoning For Pittsburgh's Strong Week Of Practice

The Pittsburgh Steelers battled their way to a 27-22 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, taking over first place in the AFC North. Aaron Rodgers turned in one of his strongest performances of the season, throwing for 284 yards and a touchdown, while DK Metcalf had his biggest day in the black and gold. Beyond the big plays, Pittsburgh also benefited from the steady presence of newcomers Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen, two veterans whose experience and preparation helped sharpen the offense heading into such an important matchup.

The Steelers have spent most of the 2025 season trying to find some steady footing on offense, especially when it comes to having a reliable receiver across from Metcalf. They missed out on adding help at the trade deadline, but signing Valdes-Scantling and Thielen was their way of bringing some veteran experience and leadership into the room. 

Beyond just adding another set of hands, the moves were meant to bring a sense of structure and calmness to a group that had struggled with consistency all season. The coaching staff wanted players who could not only perform on the field, but also help set the tone in practice, and according to Rodgers, those two did just that. 

Valdes-Scantling was signed to the practice squad in November, and Thielen was brought in off waivers just last week. Both made their Steelers debuts on Sunday, and although they didn't make much of an impact on the field, Rodgers gave them credit in helping prepare the collective for its biggest matchup of the season. Sometimes these contributions don’t show up on the stat sheet, but the benefits are real and noticeable to those inside the building.

During his postgame press conference, Rodgers spoke on the presence of having guys like Valdes-Scantling and Thielen in the building.

"I'm not a big believer in coincidences, [but] I gotta think that just Marquez and Adam out there made a difference from a professionalism standpoint," Rodgers said. "I just think there was an extra level of focus this week."

Thielen caught just one pass for four yards, and Valdes-Scantling saw only one target, but their presence on the field most certainly took some attention away from Metcalf, opening things up for his big day. The Ravens didn't throw all their attention at Metcalf on every snap like other teams had done in recent weeks. Even when they did, having multiple experienced receivers on the field forced defenders to stay disciplined, creating more room for Metcalf to make plays.

Steelers Decide To Start Valdes-Scantling and Thielen Over Roman Wilson On Sunday

Rodgers and the Steelers’ coaching staff clearly noticed something different with the veterans during the week, presences that ultimately led to Valdes-Scantling and Thielen being elevated to start on Sunday over a promising young receiver in Roman Wilson. 

Wilson was a healthy scratch for the game, which opened the door for Valdes-Scantling and Thielen to suit up. At first glance, the decision might not have seemed obvious, but it proved to be a smart move, even if the impact doesn’t show up on the stat sheet. 

Sometimes the biggest difference comes from preparation, mentorship, and having reliable players who understand how to handle a big game, and the Steelers clearly felt that with these two veterans in the building. 

With just four games remaining in the regular season, the Steelers still control their own destiny in the AFC North. The offense will rely on the experience and leadership of Rodgers, Metcalf, Valdes-Scantling, and Thielen. These veteran players have experience postseason success before, and they could be the key to keeping the team’s winning momentum alive as Pittsburgh moves closer to the postseason.

#SteelerNation