{
  "id": 687398,
  "title": "Aaron Rodgers Makes His Thoughts on Preseason Football Very Clear",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/aaron-rodgers-makes-his-thoughts-on-preseason-football-very-clear",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-12T18:27:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nfl/aaron-rodgers-makes-his-thoughts-on-preseason-football-very-clear-12315365"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Tuesday, Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy informed reporters that he and quarterback Aaron Rodgers were still debating whether the veteran would participate in the team's preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. Afterwards, Rodgers addressed the media to share his perspective on the matter. \"It's preseason, it's not real football,\" he stated. \"If I do [play], great. If not, great.\" Rodgers went on to explain that preseason games have evolved significantly compared to the early days of joint practices. \"They were going to show you a lot of different things they were working on,\" he recalled, \"It was like a real day at camp. As that got on, it just stopped being like that. It just turned into fights, and nobody showed anything because somebody's brother is on the staff and they might show him the film. I think those are a waste of a day.\"\n\nRodgers emphasized that he sees value in observing players under the lights and in pads, assessing their reactions to the pressure. However, he clarified that it is not equivalent to regular season football. \"But it’s not real regular season football,\" he concluded. While Rodgers appears disinterested in playing during the preseason, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy clarified that the ultimate decision rests with him. The preseason game against the Packers is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.",
  "summary": "Pittsburgh Steelers veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers weighed in with his candid thoughts on the state of preseason football.",
  "key_points": [
    "Aaron Rodgers questions participation in Steelers' preseason opener against Packers.",
    "Preseason games have changed from showing work to fights and no real practice.",
    "Rodgers values observing players under lights but insists it's not regular season football."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}