(Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers moved into a tie with Peyton Manning on the NFL’s all-time touchdown pass list Sunday, then used part of his postgame news conference to question the safety of the field where he did it.
Rodgers threw two touchdown passes in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 26-19 overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, bringing his career total to 539. Afterward, the 42-year-old quarterback took aim at the natural grass surface at Raymond James Stadium.
“It’s got to be one of the worst surfaces in the league,” Rodgers told reporters after the game, as reported by ProFootballTalk. “And, you know, we’re talking about player safety. You know, I’m very thankful to not get hurt. I’ve gotten hurt twice on this field. You know, in my opinion, because of the turf.”
Rodgers noted that the University of South Florida also plays its home games at the stadium, then added, “I don’t think it’s very safe.”
Old Complaints Resurface
Rodgers did not say Sunday which two injuries he meant. He has raised the issue before. In February 2015, while with the Green Bay Packers, he said on his ESPN Milwaukee radio show that the Tampa surface caused the calf injury that hampered him late in the 2014 season, and that he had also hurt his shoulder there in 2008.
His most serious recent injury did not happen in Tampa. Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon four plays into his New York Jets debut in September 2023 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Field conditions are a familiar topic for Rodgers. Last season he described the grass at Pittsburgh’s own Acrisure Stadium as “borderline unplayable,” a complaint that drew attention to the venue before the problems there were addressed.
No public response from the Buccaneers or stadium officials to Sunday’s comments had been reported as of Sunday evening.
Chasing Brees and Brady
Rodgers’ two touchdown passes pulled him even with Manning, the Pro Football Hall of Famer, for third in league history. Only Drew Brees, with 571, and Tom Brady, with 649, have thrown more.
The milestone came on a day when the Steelers’ offense struggled for three quarters. Playing without injured receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson, Rodgers was sacked five times before the fourth quarter and threw a first-quarter interception that set up the first of Chase McLaughlin’s four field goals. Pittsburgh trailed 16-3 entering the final period, and Rodgers’ run of three straight games with three touchdown passes came to an end.
He found his rhythm late. Rodgers led four scoring drives in the fourth quarter, starting with a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Darnell Washington. In overtime, he directed a 12-play, 70-yard march that ended with a short touchdown throw to rookie Germie Bernard with 3:15 remaining in the extra period.
Tampa Bay rookie Jalon Daniels moved the Buccaneers near midfield on the final possession, but Jalen Ramsey sacked him on fourth down to seal the win. Rodgers finished 33 of 49 for 253 yards.
The afternoon also brought an ankle injury for coach Mike McCarthy, who was treated at halftime before returning to the sideline, a story RG.org reported separately.
The four-time MVP’s win improved Pittsburgh to 4-2, while Tampa Bay fell to 1-5. The Steelers travel to Paris next to face the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France on Oct. 25, where Rodgers could pass Manning with his next touchdown throw.
Steelers fans looking ahead to the overseas trip can review RG.org’s guide to Pennsylvania sports betting and compare the latest betting bonuses before kickoff.