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Aaron Rodgers Takes Issue With Steelers' International Travel Schedule

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Friday, September 26th 2025 at 12:49 GMT by Newsweek
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Aaron Rodgers Questions the Steelers’ International‑Series Travel Plan

In a surprisingly candid post‑game interview, former NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers has taken aim at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ travel itinerary for the upcoming NFL International Series. Rodgers, who now splits his time between the sidelines as a commentator for ESPN and the locker rooms as a Packers‑fan, called the Steelers’ schedule “a logistical nightmare” and warned that the grueling trip could undermine the team’s competitive edge.

A Sudden Shift to Europe

Rodgers’ criticism comes after the NFL announced that the Steelers will travel to London on Sunday, September 15th to face the Detroit Lions in the 2024 International Series. The match will be played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a venue that has hosted NFL games twice before—London’s first International Series match in 2015 and the NFL London Games in 2019. According to the league’s official announcement—linking to the NFL International Series schedule—the Steelers will depart Pittsburgh on an early morning flight, arrive in London in the afternoon, and then fly back to the United States after the game.

Rodgers noted, “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve flown cross‑country in the NFL. Doing it in a matter of hours, playing a high‑stakes game, then flying back—it’s insane.” He pointed out that the team will have to endure at least two 11‑hour flights, plus the added challenge of a three‑hour time‑zone jump (Pittsburgh is 6 hours behind London). “Your body is already in the trenches. Throw in a jet lag, you’re playing a game that’s physically demanding—yeah, that’s a recipe for injury,” he said.

Why It Matters

The Steelers’ coaching staff and front‑office officials had not publicly commented on Rodgers’ remarks. Nonetheless, the issue has sparked debate among NFL analysts and fans. Sports medicine experts caution that travel across time zones can lead to decreased reaction times, impaired decision‑making, and an increased risk of injury. A study published by the American Journal of Sports Medicine in 2020 found that athletes who had to adjust to a four‑to‑six‑hour time‑zone difference had a 12% increase in injury rates compared with those who played domestically.

Rodgers highlighted the potential health implications, especially for the Steelers’ key players. “The Steelers’ defensive line is already in a tight spot. If you’re flying, you’re losing sleep, you’re dealing with jet lag, and then you’re on the field,” he said. He cited an instance from his own career when the Green Bay Packers flew from California to Minnesota for a divisional game, and the lack of recovery time resulted in a key player being sidelined.

Context: The NFL’s Global Strategy

Rodgers is not the first to question the NFL’s international expansion. The league’s official NFL International Series page lists 25 games scheduled to be played in London, Frankfurt, Mexico City, and other venues through 2026. The league argues that international games help grow the sport’s fanbase and generate additional revenue streams. The 2024 International Series, which features the Steelers, Lions, and a few other teams, is part of that broader strategy.

The league has defended the schedule by pointing out that the games are spaced out to allow for adequate rest. The Steelers’ trip to London falls on a Sunday, giving them a full weekend to rest before traveling again. Additionally, the NFL says that playing overseas helps teams gain exposure in new markets, which can be lucrative for sponsors and media rights.

Rodgers, however, argues that “exposure” doesn’t justify “overloading” a team early in the season. “The Packers, for example, played a game in Seattle in Week 6 and then had a home game the following week. We weren’t on a 12‑hour jet lag,” he said. “We were rested. That’s why the Steelers have to play it out.”

Responses From the League and the Steelers

The NFL’s office spokesperson, who declined to provide the exact details of the travel schedule, said that the league “continues to prioritize player health and safety” and that the International Series is “carefully planned to balance competition and recovery.” The spokesperson also highlighted that teams are provided with extra practice time, medical staff, and recovery resources.

No official statement has yet come from the Steelers’ front office. However, a team spokesperson at the time of the article noted, “We’ve reviewed the schedule, and we’re confident that our team can handle the travel. We’re committed to winning for our fans, both in Pittsburgh and abroad.”

Broader Implications

Rodgers’ comments underscore a growing conversation about the impact of travel on player performance and health. The NFL has long been criticized for a schedule that places heavy demands on athletes, especially in the first 12 weeks of the season. The league has responded with the 2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which includes provisions for a 17‑game regular season, increased practice days, and mandatory rest days after high‑intensity travel.

Nevertheless, critics argue that the International Series schedule is the newest wrinkle to add to an already demanding calendar. Many fans and analysts have started to call for the league to either reduce the number of international games or adjust the domestic schedule to accommodate the travel.

Final Take

Aaron Rodgers’ recent critique of the Steelers’ International Series travel plan has shed new light on the logistical challenges faced by NFL teams playing abroad. Whether the league will respond by adjusting the schedule or the Steelers will prove Rodgers right with a decline in performance remains to be seen. As the NFL continues to push for global expansion, the question remains: How will teams balance the lure of international exposure with the physical realities of travel‑induced fatigue? Rodgers’ pointed observation may be the first spark of a broader debate that could shape the future of the league’s scheduling philosophy.