Aaron Rodgers thought he was building chemistry with his new Pittsburgh Steelers teammates. Eric Mangini sees it differently. The three-time Super Bowl champion coach isn’t buying what Rodgers is selling, and he’s not afraid to call out the veteran quarterback’s Malibu workout session as nothing more than a publicity stunt.
Why Does Eric Mangini Question Aaron Rodgers’s Malibu Workout?
Rodgers, who signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, found himself under fire for working out with his teammates in Malibu, California. The quarterback wasn’t just going through basic drills, but specifically working with the receiving corps that he’ll need to step up in the 2025-26 season.
However, Mangini isn’t having it. On FS1’s “First Things First,” the former New York Jets and Cleveland Browns head coach spoke about Rodgers’ tactics and explained why he isn’t a believer in what the quarterback has shown.
“You had a lot of time to make a decision to become a Pittsburgh Steeler… It just seems a little bit disingenuous.”
Coach Mangini isn’t a fan of Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers receivers posting about their workout together in Malibu: pic.twitter.com/Dy5W0GzNjv
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) July 7, 2025
“You had a lot of time to make a decision to become a Pittsburgh Steeler,” Mangini said. “You could’ve gone in a little earlier. You could’ve gone to a few OTAs. You could’ve gotten a much more thorough understanding of the system.”
The criticism didn’t stop there. Mangini also took aim at Rodgers’s social media presence, pointing out what he sees as contradictory behavior from the quarterback.
“Didn’t he talk about how he’s trying to stay away from the media and keep things private?” Mangini said. “Then you have this and you’re the one that posted on Instagram. It just seems a little bit disingenuous. It’s great, working out together is a great thing.”
What Makes Mangini’s Criticism of Rodgers So Sharp?
While knocking Rodgers for signing with the team late is one thing, Mangini went after the quarterback’s social media post about his time with his teammates. Rodgers is clearly trying to make an impact and be the leader the Steelers need, but Mangini isn’t buying the approach.
The timing of Mangini’s comments becomes more pointed when considering Rodgers’s recent media appearances. The quarterback spoke on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he was “pretty sure” that this will likely be his final season in the NFL, once again going against his claim that he doesn’t want to be in the spotlight.
This pattern bothers Mangini, who sees Rodgers as someone who knows exactly what he’s saying and constantly does it on a platform where he knows people will take everything he says and run with it.
Despite never working directly with Rodgers during his coaching career, Mangini has worked on quite a few teams and understands the dynamics at play. The four-time NFL MVP has his work cut out for him on the Steelers, and it’ll be interesting to see if this is truly his final year in the league.
The receiving corps that Rodgers worked out with in Malibu includes some key pieces. Lining up at wideout is DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, and Robert Woods, among others including tight end Pat Friermuth. Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller, and Ben Skowronek line up behind those three.
The Steelers will open their season on Sept. 7 against Rodgers’s former team, the New York Jets. The quarterback is no stranger to playing in MetLife Stadium, as he gave the Jets everything he could in the 2024 season.