Jerome Bettis’s excitement for Aaron Rodgers is matched only by one big concern — can the Steelers protect their their QB?
In a recent one-on-one interview with CBS Sports, Bettis shared his thoughts — and his worries — about Rodgers in Pittsburgh:
“I think the one big question that you have to ask yourself is, can you protect him?” Bettis said, via CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo. “I think that’s going to be the number one priority for the Steelers … If you can protect him, then you can get all the value out of him and that position. If you can’t protect him, then it doesn’t matter who you put out there. You can play two young guys, it doesn’t matter. You’re going to get the same productivity. So I think the goal is to protect him. If you can protect him, then I think you get all the benefits of having a quality football player at the helm, at the quarterback position.”
OT Dan Moore Jr. — who left Pittsburgh for the Tennessee Titans this offseason — and Steelers OT Broderick Jones allowed the most combined sacks of any offensive tackle duo in the league last season. Jones was forced to play out of his natural position due to right tackle Troy Fautanu’s season-ending injury but is set to return to left tackle in 2025.
If the Steelers’ offensive line can stay healthy, Bettis may have his Rodgers-related pass protection wish granted — as the four-time MVP prepares for his Steel City swan song.
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