Steelers Starter Apologized To Aaron Rodgers For ‘Retirement Home’ Comment

Not everyone on the Pittsburgh Steelers eagerly awaited Aaron Rodgers’ offseason decision.

Rodgers ended a lengthy saga by officially signing a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in early June. Four months earlier, Steelers safety DeShon Elliott bluntly responded: “Leave his ass at the retirement home” to a social media post linking his team to the 41-year-old quarterback.

Now that they’re teammates, Elliott changed his tune on Rodgers. According to The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo, Elliott said he directly apologized for his past comments.

“I’m a (social media) troll,” Elliott said. “He’s an All-Pro, and he’s a GOAT. He’s going to be a gold jacket guy one day. Honestly, when he got here, we communicated, we talked. He’s a great person and a great ballplayer. Whatever the media put out there is BS. I respect him a lot. I told him that I respect him, and I apologized to him for the things I was saying about him because, honestly, he’s a great man. He has a great heart, so I appreciate him, and he’s funny as hell.”

Elliott wasn’t the only Steelers defender unwilling to recruit Rodgers this offseason. Cameron Heyward wouldn’t pitch Pittsburgh to the four-time MVP, but the franchise mainstay said they connected shortly before Rodgers joined the team. Heyward feels the future Hall of Famer has “bought in” to his new organization.

Unlike Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw, who called the signing a “joke,” Steelers players appeared to get on board once Rodgers made up his mind. The 10-time Pro Bowler replaces Russell Wilson and Justin Fields after posting 3,897 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and a 90.5 quarterback rating with the New York Jets last season.

While he opted against retirement this year, Rodgers could call it a career after his 21st season. The Steelers open against the Jets on Sunday, Sept. 7.

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