In the Pittsburgh Steelers' crucial Week 18 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, quarterback Aaron Rodgers missed a wide-open pass to tight end Jonnu Smith early in the second quarter. Former NFL quarterback Phil Simms provided insight into the error on his podcast, attributing it to hesitation and a reloaded throw. The miss contributed to a sluggish start for the Steelers, who trailed 10-0 at the time.
The Pittsburgh Steelers secured their playoff spot with a hard-fought win against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18, but the game exposed some offensive struggles, particularly in the first half. With about 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter, Aaron Rodgers had a clear opportunity to connect with Jonnu Smith, who was uncovered downfield. Instead, the pass sailed over Smith's head, stalling a promising drive and forcing the Steelers to attempt a long field goal.
On his Simms Complete podcast, Phil Simms dissected the play, noting Rodgers' mechanics. "When you watch it, he did this," Simms said. "He went to throw it and then had to reload and do it again. And he gave it a little extra juice because it’s a reload. That’s why it went over his head."
Simms offered some leniency to the veteran quarterback, who has played over 20 years in the NFL. "I’m gonna give him a little pass there… We’ve all been there as quarterbacks. When you hesitate, and then you decide to make the throw, you give it the old steroid jerk. It goes farther than you want it to go."
Video of the play shows Rodgers with no immediate pressure, plenty of time to plant his feet, and no apparent defender in position to intercept. A completion could have positioned the Steelers near the end zone, providing a much-needed boost while they trailed 10-0. This incident echoed another missed deep throw to Smith earlier in the season against the Los Angeles Chargers, highlighting a lack of chemistry between the two.
As the playoffs begin, the Steelers face challenges with tight end Darnell Washington sidelined by injury. Smith's role may expand if he remains healthy, making it essential for him and Rodgers to synchronize for future opportunities.
