Story byJori EpsteinSenior reporterMon, December 8, 2025 at 5:17 AM UTC·9 min readBALTIMORE — The first read on Aaron Rodgers’ rushing touchdown was not a run. Facing third-and-1 from the 1-yard line midway through the first quarter, the Pittsburgh Steelers hoped instead to pass off of play action. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe vision: Tight end Jonnu Smith’s presence at the line of scrimmage would create a heavy personnel presence that foreshadowed a run. Then, Smith would sneak out to catch a pass. But Rodgers saw the left side of the Steelers’ offensive line had “caved in,” he said, so he escaped from the pocket. He saw that the Baltimore Ravens defenders chasing him were, well, larger and perhaps not as nimble as he (read: 341 and 370-pound defensive linemen pursuing a 223-pound quarterback). So while wide receiver DK Metcalf thought the play was busted, and others may have wondered how fast a newly 42-year-old quarterback protecting the ball with a broken non-throwing wrist would truly be, Rodgers ran in a touchdown. The touchdown wasn’t just the first of a division rivalry game the Steelers would ultimately win, 27-22. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt was also Rodgers’ first rushing touchdown since 2022 — and his first since a Sept.
