Rodgers: Preseason is 'not real football' | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Aaron Rodgers is approaching the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason opener with a clear message: it “isn’t real football.” The veteran quarterback, who expects this to be his 22nd and likely final NFL training camp, said Thursday night’s exhibition against the Green Bay Packers is less meaningful than games that start counting in September, noting that both defenses and offenses are often “vanilla.” Rodgers nonetheless said preseason still helps, especially for seeing how players respond to the lights and nerves. He contrasted his own early-career jitters with the confidence he no longer has, and suggested Pittsburgh would benefit from him watching from the sideline while Drew Allar and Will Howard do most of the work—Howard returning after not taking a live snap last year due to injury. Coach Mike McCarthy said health remains the priority, outlining an offense split into three groups across the game’s series.