Aaron Rodgers threw an interception in a September practice and somehow wound up at the center of a familiar argument about blame.
The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback was picked off by Asante Samuel Jr. while targeting Roman Wilson on Wednesday. Asked afterward what happened, Rodgers pointed to a route error by the third-year receiver while also praising Wilson’s camp. Plenty of NFL fans heard the first part much louder than the second.
NFL Fans Revisit Familiar Aaron Rodgers Criticism
“Roman made a repeat mistake,” Rodgers said while explaining the practice interception. “That’s a good learning experience, because I don’t think he’s going to do that again.”
Rodgers said Wilson had made the same error earlier in training camp on an underneath route and had been told to keep working across the field. He called the interception a useful mistake to make in practice because it can be corrected before the regular season.
The explanation still triggered a wave of criticism.
“Never his fault,” one fan wrote.
Another fan added, “Death, taxes, and Aaron Rodgers throwing his receivers under the bus.”
Never his fault. https://t.co/e1UdeousWu
— vic (@_kraftpunkk) September 2, 2026
“Aaron Rodgers has apparently never made a mistake,” another user wrote.
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A longtime Packers fan framed it through Green Bay’s quarterback transition.
“I’m thankful for what Rodgers brought to us Packers fans, but I am soooo glad Jordan Love is our QB and leader of the locker room. It’s refreshing,” the fan wrote.
Death, taxes, and Aaron Rodgers throwing his receivers under the bus https://t.co/ruUnCOnLrU
— Jay (@StrongIslandJay) September 2, 2026
Another response was equally direct: “If Rodgers throws an INT, it’s always the receivers fault….” the fan added.
I’m thankful for what Rodgers brought to us packer fans, but I am soooo glad Jordan Love is our QB and leader of the locker room. It’s refreshing https://t.co/NMwbTTiEju
— Susanna Kalas 🧀 (@KalasSusanna) September 2, 2026
The backlash also included the description “just egotistical,” extending a criticism that has followed Rodgers for years.
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Aaron Rodgers Also Spent Plenty of Time Praising Roman Wilson
The full answer was considerably less hostile than the reaction might suggest.
Rodgers called Wilson “a great kid,” said he had a “fantastic camp” and emphasized that he has the “utmost confidence” in him. He also said Wilson will need to play a major role for Pittsburgh and later placed him among the Steelers’ best performers in camp.
That context matters because Wilson was scrutinized throughout August. He caught only three passes for 23 yards during the preseason, and two Will Howard interceptions against the Jets were also tied to route issues involving Wilson.
Pittsburgh still appears committed to him. The Steelers said Wilson is expected to have a significant role alongside DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Germie Bernard.
Rodgers enters his final NFL season after finishing 2025 with a 71.9 QB Impact grade, No. 29 among qualifying quarterbacks. He threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
Wednesday’s criticism was not really about one practice pick. Fans were reacting to a reputation they already associate with Rodgers, one where receiver mistakes can become public talking points.
Rodgers, however, did not simply bury Wilson. He identified the error, then spent the rest of his answer explaining why he still trusts him. Whether that sounds like accountability or blame-shifting probably depends on what someone already thought of Rodgers.
