Lead
On Nov. 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers acknowledged a poor performance after Pittsburgh fell 25-10 to the Chargers on Sunday Night Football. Rodgers threw two interceptions and one touchdown while completing 16 of 31 passes for 161 yards, a 51.6 percent completion rate — his lowest in a game over the past five seasons. Coach Mike Tomlin called the offensive showing unacceptable but declined to single Rodgers out, saying the group as a whole must improve. The loss cut the Steelers lead in the AFC North to one game and represented Pittsburgh’s third defeat in four weeks.
Key takeaways
- Aaron Rodgers finished 16-of-31 for 161 yards with two interceptions and one touchdown, recording a 51.6 percent completion rate.
- Rodgers was sacked three times; one sack by Khalil Mack resulted in a safety that ended the Steelers third drive.
- Pittsburgh failed on nine straight third-down attempts before converting twice in garbage time; overall third-down struggles stalled multiple drives.
- DK Metcalf was targeted seven times and caught three passes for 35 yards; Rodgers was 0-of-5 on throws of 15+ yards.
- A holding penalty and an overturned catch wiped out a red-zone opportunity; kicker Chris Boswell missed a 45-yard field goal after a 52-yard drive.
- The Chargers converted a decisive 90-yard touchdown drive after Pittsburgh failed to score on fourth down in the fourth quarter.
- Coach Mike Tomlin described the performance as poor but expressed confidence the team will respond in coming weeks.
Background
Aaron Rodgers joined the Pittsburgh Steelers this season with high expectations as the veteran quarterback looks to keep Pittsburgh competitive in the AFC North. Entering the matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, Rodgers had produced several efficient outings in his nine starts for the Steelers, making this outing a notable downturn. The Steelers entered the game with a slim lead over the Baltimore Ravens in the division, and sustaining offensive consistency has been a season-long focus for Tomlin and his staff.
The Chargers arrived under their own pressure to secure wins in a tightly contested AFC playoff picture, relying on a defense capable of creating turnovers and limiting explosive plays. Pittsburgh’s offense had shown the ability to move the ball between the 20s this season but has struggled at key moments on third down and in the red zone. That mismatch of yardage between time-of-possession gains and scoring efficiency has been a recurring wrinkle for the Steelers’ coaching staff.
Main event
The game opened poorly for Pittsburgh’s offense, with Rodgers missing on early third-down opportunities after short completions to running back Jaylen Warren and receiver Calvin Austin. A scramble on one early third down set the tone; the Steelers then went nine consecutive third downs without a conversion, a stretch that stymied momentum and field-position management. Rodgers compounded the issue by overthrowing a downfield target in the second quarter that was intercepted by Chargers rookie defensive back RJ Mickens.
Rodgers finished with a handful of drives that moved the ball but failed to produce points. A promising 52-yard drive stalled before the red zone after a holding penalty on tackle Troy Fautanu and an overturned catch ruling negated another chance; the drive ended with Chris Boswell missing a 45-yard field goal. On another late drive, Rodgers tried to force a fourth-down throw into a doubled DK Metcalf in the end zone; the target was knocked down and the Chargers answered with a 90-yard touchdown drive that put the game out of reach.
Pressure and protection breakdowns were visible on film. Rodgers was sacked three times, and on the play that produced the safety he said he did not recognize Khalil Mack had disengaged from the tackle technique on the edge. Rodgers also acknowledged several missed throws, including an early attempt to Metcalf that could have been a momentum-shifting play. When receivers were covered, Rodgers sometimes missed opportunities on throws he usually completes, he said after the game.
Analysis & implications
Statistically, this game stands out as an unusually inefficient performance from Rodgers since joining the Steelers. A 51.6 percent completion rate in a single game is his lowest mark in five seasons and underlines a broader trend: Pittsburgh can move the ball but is not converting those yards into points at a reliable rate. Third-down failure and penalties erased scoring chances and magnified the impact of turnovers and a missed field goal.
From a coaching perspective, Mike Tomlin framed the loss as a collective lapse rather than a problem isolated to one player. That positioning shields Rodgers from undue criticism but also emphasizes that protection, play calling, and situational execution must tighten. For a team leading a competitive AFC North, such offensive inconsistency is costly: close divisional races are often decided by turnovers and red-zone efficiency, areas where the Steelers did not perform tonight.
For Rodgers personally, the game raises questions about rhythm and timing with his receivers, especially on intermediate and downfield patterns. Rodgers is an experienced quarterback who acknowledged the need to improve checks and throws; if those adjustments are made, the ceiling remains high. However, if such lapses recur, the Steelers could face a tougher path in the stretch run when margin-for-error is small.
Comparison & data
| Metric | Game (Nov 10, 2025) |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 16/31 |
| Passing yards | 161 |
| Completion percentage | 51.6% |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Sacks | 3 (one resulted in safety) |
The table above isolates the game-level statistics that defined Pittsburgh’s offensive performance. While raw yardage shows the offense could move the ball, low efficiency on third down and two turnovers converted into a negative net result. This contrast between distance gained and points scored is central to diagnosing what must change.
Reactions & quotes
How would you?
Mike Tomlin, head coach, Pittsburgh Steelers
Tomlin used a pointed retort when asked to evaluate Rodgers, then added that the offense as a whole underperformed. He said he was not seeking reassurance and expects the group to respond.
This was not my best performance. I got to play better than this for us to win.
Aaron Rodgers, quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers
Rodgers conceded personal responsibility for missed throws and timing with his targets. He listed adjustments he planned to make, including better checks and cleaner throws, as part of the corrective work.
I\’m not lacking confidence. We stunk it up tonight. We\’ll be back.
Mike Tomlin, head coach, Pittsburgh Steelers
Tomlin reiterated confidence in the roster despite the result, calling the night poor but stressing belief in a rebound ahead of upcoming games.
Unconfirmed
- Whether this game was Rodgers’ final appearance in his home state of California remains speculative and was not confirmed by team or player statements.
- The precise internal coaching adjustments the staff will make next week have not been publicly detailed.
Bottom line
Pittsburgh\’s 25-10 loss to the Chargers highlighted a mismatch between yardage gained and points produced, driven by two interceptions, third-down failures, and key penalties. Aaron Rodgers owned the performance publicly and outlined areas for improvement; Coach Mike Tomlin called the collective showing subpar but expressed confidence in a rebound.
The immediate takeaway is practical: the Steelers must correct situational execution — third down, protection, and red-zone play — to protect their slim division lead. For Rodgers, this outing is a reminder that veteran experience alone will not erase the need for timing and accuracy, particularly on downfield throws. How the team responds in the next stretch of games will determine whether this result is a one-off or a signal of deeper inconsistency.