Aaron Rodgers is preparing for his 22nd season in the NFL. After signing a one-year, $22.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 42-year-old is reuniting with Mike McCarthy, his former head coach with the Green Bay Packers.
With four MVP awards, 10 Pro Bowls, four First-Team All-Pro selections, and one Super Bowl win under his belt, the former California Golden Bear is destined to secure a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Of course, none of these achievements have happened by chance, as Rodgers is known for his extreme intensity, competitiveness, and high expectations of those around him.
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In fact, during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, former wide receiver Adam Thielen revealed what it is like to play alongside Rodgers. He admitted that the signal-caller's demanding nature created a level of pressure he'd never felt in his career.
“It’s the most stressed I’ve been in my entire career…I felt like I was a rookie again,” Thielen said. “You kinda like, I don’t know what he’s gonna say, and I hope I know what he says, cause if I don’t, I’m gonna get my butt chewed and I’m probably never gonna get the ball… It’s a good thing; it’s why he’s had a lot of success, because he demands so much out of everybody. And everybody’s the same. Whether you’re a rookie or a veteran.
Thielen was already an established veteran when the two played together on the Steelers in 2025. The wide receiver was in his 12th season in the NFL and spent years playing alongside some of the league's best talent, but admitted he'd never experienced anything like playing with Rodgers.
Rodgers' approach has helped define a legendary career. While Thielen admits that playing alongside the four-time MVP is intense, he also recognizes that the quarterback's high standards are a big piece of his sustained success.
