Dave Wannstedt warns Steelers over Aaron Rodgers' high pass volume

Former NFL and college head coach Dave Wannstedt expressed dissatisfaction with the Pittsburgh Steelers' early-season offensive strategy, warning about the high volume of pass attempts placed on quarterback Aaron Rodgers due to coach Mike McCarthy's implementation. During an appearance on the "93.7 The Fan Morning Show," Wannstedt raised significant concerns about the Steelers' lack of a dominant ground game, especially after observing Rodgers drop back more than 40 times during their game against the Atlanta Falcons.

He passionately stated, "You got to give that ball to [Jaylen] Warren. You can't come out of these games with Aaron having to throw it 40 times. Are you kidding me?" Instead of relying solely on Rodgers' arm, Wannstedt advocates for a balanced approach that centers on Jaylen Warren and a heavily invested offensive line, with the quarterback throwing roughly 30 times and running the ball about 35 times per game.

Wannstedt drew parallels to Rodgers' most successful championship seasons with the Green Bay Packers, pointing out that during a five-year span, they ranked within the top five in rushing the football, which alleviated pressure on the elite quarterback. "Aaron Rodgers when they went to those Super Bowls at Green Bay, check it out, guys," Wannstedt stated.

"During a five-year period, they were in the top five and rushing the football. Took some pressure off of him because of the run." Despite the Steelers' heavy investments in the trenches through draft picks, their run-blocking efforts have yet to decisively dictate the offense to the extent Wannstedt envisions. To ensure sustained success, Wannstedt insists on a fresh offensive strategy from McCarthy, emphasizing a physical, run-first identity to alleviate pressure on Rodgers.