The 2025 season has brought a new sense of purpose to Pittsburgh. With Aaron Rodgers commanding the offense, the Steelers are beginning to rediscover their identity built on balance, control, and quiet confidence. Rodgers’ presence under center has changed everything.
Through the opening weeks, the Steelers have looked sharper, more composed, and more united than in years past. Yet in the unforgiving landscape of the AFC North, there are no easy weeks. Each matchup feels like a statement game, and their next battle against the Cincinnati Bengals is no exception, who are marching without Joe Burrow.
The Steelers-Bengals rivalry carries a certain edge that defines modern AFC North football. It may not have the deep-rooted history of Steelers-Ravens, but the intensity and physicality make it just as personal. These two teams have spent years pushing each other to the limit.
For the Bengals, every meeting with Pittsburgh is a chance to challenge the Steelers’ historic dominance. For the Steelers, it is about defending tradition and pride against a younger, hungry rival. When they meet, the field becomes a proving ground for toughness, discipline, and resilience. All traits that have defined both franchises in their best years.
Trai Essex’s Warning: The Trey Hendrickson Threat
Former Steelers lineman and two-time Super Bowl champion Trai Essex issued a blunt warning ahead of the divisional clash, pointing to the challenge that Cincinnati’s defensive front presents.
“I’m not sure if Trey Hendrickson is playing or not, but he poses just as big a challenge, if not bigger, as Myles did for Broderick,” Essex said. “Myles, for as powerful and explosive as he is, often plays with finesse, trying to get to the edge of a blocker vs overpowering them. He’s obviously capable of doing both, but Hendrickson is a straight brute all the time, and I honestly think those types of pass rushers will give Broderick the most issues due to the fact that he often plays too high. Another big test is coming! Such is life in the NFL.”
Essex’s comments underline exactly what makes Trey Hendrickson one of the most feared pass rushers in the game. He is not a player who relies on flashy techniques or deceptive spins. His game is built on raw power, relentless effort, and perfectly timed leverage.
When a lineman like Broderick Jones plays too upright, Hendrickson’s physical style can become a nightmare, collapsing pockets and forcing quarterbacks to rush throws. That kind of disruption could easily throw off Pittsburgh’s rhythm, which depends heavily on Rodgers’ timing and anticipation.
Can Rodgers and the Steelers’ Offense Pass the Test?
Aaron Rodgers’ influence has brought a sense of control and structure to the Steelers’ offense. The unit looks far more balanced than in previous seasons, particularly in the red zone, where they have become one of the more efficient teams in the league. Rodgers’ connection with DK Metcalf has transformed the vertical passing game, giving Pittsburgh a reliable deep threat who can challenge safeties and open up space underneath. Metcalf’s combination of strength and speed has forced defensive coordinators to respect every inch of the field, while Rodgers’ accuracy has kept drives alive with surgical precision.
Tight end Darnell Washington has emerged as a vital piece of Arthur Smith’s offensive scheme. His versatility as both a blocker and pass-catcher allows the Steelers to disguise their formations and provide Rodgers with extra protection against elite pass rushers. Washington’s massive frame and balance make him an ideal helper against someone like Hendrickson. Expect Pittsburgh to use him on chip blocks before releasing him into soft zones as a secondary option. Those delayed routes often buy Rodgers the extra heartbeat he needs to deliver strikes downfield.
The offensive line, meanwhile, is beginning to find its chemistry. In their recent matchup against Cleveland, Rodgers was not sacked once, a testament to the group’s growing cohesion. Broderick Jones, the young tackle Essex referenced, stood his ground well against Myles Garrett’s finesse and explosiveness. Hendrickson, however, presents a different type of problem. His attack is less about agility and more about sustained physical pressure. He wears blockers down with sheer will, testing both technique and stamina.
To counter that, Arthur Smith will likely lean into quicker releases, rhythm throws, and creative play-action looks. Rodgers has always been at his best when the offense operates on tempo, forcing defenses to guess instead of react. Expect more screens, quick outs, and slants designed to neutralize Hendrickson’s impact before he even reaches the pocket. Running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren will also be vital in protection schemes, stepping in as auxiliary blockers or release valves when pressure mounts.
What makes this matchup fascinating is not just the strategy but the psychology behind it. Rodgers thrives in games like this- ones that demand composure and decision-making under constant fire. For Pittsburgh, this contest represents more than a divisional showdown. It is an opportunity to prove that the Rodgers era is not just about star power, but about elevating the standard of play across the roster.
Trai Essex’s warning wasn’t a critique. It was a reminder of what the AFC North demands: toughness, preparation, and execution at the line of scrimmage. If the Steelers handle the storm of Trey Hendrickson and keep their quarterback upright, they will show the rest of the conference that their resurgence is more than a storyline. It is a statement that Pittsburgh football, once again, means business.