By Sunday 
Tom Clements says the 41-year-old QB still has what it takes to lead — and teach
The Pittsburgh Steelers are betting big on Aaron Rodgers. At 41, the future Hall of Famer is expected to take the reins as the team’s starting quarterback this season — and with him comes all the usual baggage, brilliance, and big-time questions.
One of the biggest? Can Rodgers be a mentor to the younger QBs in the room?
According to his longtime coach and confidant, Tom Clements, the answer is a resounding yes.
“He’s a very good teammate”
Clements, who coached Rodgers during his prime years in Green Bay, recently joined 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh and made it clear: the version of Rodgers he knows is a team-first guy.
“The guys that played with him… they can’t say enough good things about him,” Clements said. “He’s a very good teammate.”
That might raise a few eyebrows. After all, Rodgers’ reputation hasn’t always matched those glowing words. His final years in Green Bay were clouded by reports of cold shoulders, cryptic signals, and occasional tension with young receivers. In New York, things started off promising with Zach Wilson — only to reportedly sour after Rodgers’ Achilles injury.
So what gives?
A lesson from Favre’s shadow
Clements points to Rodgers’ own early experience with Brett Favre as a turning point in his mentoring approach.
“Favre didn’t come to the offseason program, and he didn’t really have anyone helping him,” Clements explained. “So [Rodgers] has helped people in the past… he’s good with the young guys. He’s good with the old guys.”
That includes former protégé Jordan Love, who’s consistently praised Rodgers for what he learned behind the scenes. Even if Rodgers wasn’t thrilled about Green Bay drafting Love in 2020, he eventually took on the role of mentor — and Love has said as much.
New city, new room, same Rodgers?
In Pittsburgh, Rodgers steps into a room that includes veteran Mason Rudolph, sixth-round rookie Will Howard, and Skylar Thompson. That’s not exactly a group brimming with pressure, but it’s still a mix of ages and experience levels — exactly the type of environment Rodgers could thrive in if he’s invested.
And that’s the question, isn’t it?
Because as much as Clements sings Rodgers’ praises, the jury will remain out until the season plays out. If Rodgers helps elevate the QB room — and maybe even wins a playoff game — Steelers fans will be ready to forgive and forget whatever reputation followed him into town.
If not? It could be a one-season detour that sets the franchise back another year in its search for a long-term solution.
Bottom Line: It’s Up to Rodgers
The tools are still there. The leadership? That remains to be seen.
But if you ask someone who’s seen Aaron Rodgers at his best, there’s little doubt: He can be a great mentor — if he wants to be.
And that might be all Steelers fans need to hear… for now.