Aaron Rodgers left Raymond James Stadium with an overtime victory over the Bucs – and some pointed criticism of the playing surface.

The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback praised Tampa Bay’s defense for making Sunday’s 26-19 win a fight, but he wasn’t as complimentary about the field itself. Rodgers called it one of the worst surfaces in the NFL and questioned whether it was safe for players.

Aaron Rodgers On RayJay: “It’s Got To Be One Of The Worst Surfaces”

Aaron Rodgers being outspoken is not new.

Rodgers, 42, is in his final NFL season and has played at stadiums across the league, including venues that no longer exist. His criticism carries added context given his injury history at Raymond James Stadium.

“It’s got to be one of the worst surfaces in the league – and we’re talking about player safety,” Rodgers said. “I’m very thankful to not get hurt. I’ve gotten hurt twice on this field. In my opinion, because of the turf, I know [the University of South Florida] plays here, I believe. But, that surface, I don’t think is very safe.”

The two injuries Rodgers referred to are a right shoulder injury during the 2008 season, his first year as a starter with the Packers. The other injury came in 2014, when he suffered a calf muscle injury during a 20-3 win over Tampa Bay.

That helps explain Rodgers’ frustration, although his previous injuries alone do not establish that this particular playing surface caused them.

Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

His comments do raise a broader question about field conditions and player safety, given his experience with a ruptured Achilles in 2023 with the Jets. Raymond James Stadium uses natural grass, but the University of South Florida (USF) has also used the field for years on Saturdays before Bucs’ home games on Sundays. That will soon change with USF getting its own venue after this season.

Aaron Rodgers, Mike McCarthy Praise Bucs’ Defensive Performance

The Bucs’ defense made life difficult for Aaron Rodgers for much of the afternoon, recording five sacks and getting another big-man interception from defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson. The Steelers struggled to generate consistent offense before mounting a 13-point fourth-quarter comeback, making the late collapse all the more frustrating for Tampa Bay.

“They’re playing off pretty good,” Rodgers said in assessing what he saw. “There wasn’t a lot of just press coverage. There’s hardly any press. If there was any, it was press-bail. It’s a lot of soft coverage… some quarters actually, but a lot of pressure. They were one-upping us or one-up us to a side a decent amount.”

Steelers HC Mike McCarthy – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Bowles mixed softer coverage looks with pressure, a combination that helped limit Pittsburgh’s offensive efficiency for much of the afternoon. McCarthy acknowledged the impact of the pressure after the game.

“They do a really good job with the pressure,” McCarthy said.

Rodgers completed 33 of 49 passes for 253 yards, averaging just 5.16 yards per attempt. According to Buccaneers communications, it was his second-lowest yards-per-attempt average in a game with at least 30 completions.

“Tough defense, tough defense to play against – especially because we don’t see them (the Buccaneers) all the time,” McCarthy said. “The pressure’s real. Tough win. They’re never easy. Most importantly, I thought the crowd was phenomenal. To see the Terrible Towels show up and especially at the key parts of the game in the fourth quarter and overtime. That was special, that’s a special road win.”

McCarthy’s praise for the traveling Steelers fans reflected the atmosphere at Raymond James Stadium, where supporters made their presence felt during the comeback.

Steelers fans at Raymond James Stadium – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Rodgers eventually found opportunities against Bowles’ defense, targeting DK Metcalf and Germie Bernard a combined 27 times. Pittsburgh’s late offensive surge, combined with Tampa Bay’s inability to sustain drives, ultimately turned a defensive battle into another disappointing Bucs’ loss.

The loss dropped them to 1-5, extending a season defined by offensive struggles and missed opportunities. Yet Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy made it clear it was a difficult matchup, even as the Steelers found a way to rally late.

Rodgers may be done playing at Raymond James Stadium, but his criticism of the field could linger beyond Sunday’s overtime loss.