Aaron Rodgers Calls Out Jaylen Warren Over Miscommunication During Bengals Game
In a recent showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, quarterback Aaron Rodgers made it clear to running back Jaylen Warren that a crucial play had gone awry. With just over six minutes remaining in the game, the Steelers snapped the ball, and Rodgers handed it off to Warren. In an unexpected twist, Warren pitched the ball back to Rodgers, catching the veteran quarterback completely off guard.
After regaining possession, Rodgers swiftly moved to his right and threw the ball into the ground, effectively ending the play. It was evident that Rodgers was frustrated with Warren, who had deviated from the game plan. As the Steelers regrouped for their next play, cameras captured Rodgers questioning Warren, asking, "What are you doing? That was not a flea flicker."
Fans on social media were quick to react to the apparent miscommunication between the two players. One user on X expressed disbelief, asking, "How is that possible? Would that create an illegal man downfield? Sounds like Rodgers had the wrong play." Another fan chimed in, stating, "I literally don’t think that was supposed to be a flea flicker," while a third agreed that Warren had misunderstood the call, noting, "Warren ran the wrong play—you can see Aaron mouth it wasn’t the flea flicker."
Fortunately for the Steelers, the miscommunication did not have dire consequences. However, the Bengals capitalized on their opportunities, taking the lead in the second quarter as quarterback Joe Flacco connected with star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, exploiting gaps in Pittsburgh’s defense.
Despite the hiccup, it appears that Rodgers is enjoying his time in Pittsburgh, especially following a challenging two years in New York. However, his future with the Steelers remains uncertain. ESPN recently reported that the odds of Rodgers returning to the Steelers next season are around five percent, given his age and potential post-season plans.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano elaborated, "It’s this low because Rodgers has basically said this will be his final year. It’s this high because people sometimes change their minds or don’t mean what they say." Currently, Rodgers is in the final year of a one-year, $14.15 million deal, and he’ll turn 42 in December, which raises questions about retirement.
During an appearance on ‘The Pat McAfee Show,’ Rodgers seemed to confirm that this season might be his last, stating, "Yeah, I’m pretty sure this is it. That’s why we just did a one-year deal. The Steelers didn’t need to put any extra years on that; this was really about finishing with a lot of love, fun, and peace for the career that I’ve had."
As the season unfolds, fans will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how Rodgers navigates the rest of his time with the Steelers and what the future holds for this legendary quarterback.
