Like any good quarterback, Aaron Rodgers is relying on his center to provide a steadying influence in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage.
That might sound odd considering that Rodgers is 41 years old and entering his 21st NFL season while the player snapping the ball is 18 years younger and preparing for his second year in the league.
Rodgers, though, has that much faith and confidence in Zach Frazier to help him navigate the calls at the line of scrimmage during his first training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Since he didn’t sign with the Steelers until the day before minicamp in June and because he didn’t take his first snaps in a team period until last week, Rodgers is still getting caught up with the offensive scheme.
He is counting on Frazier, the 23-year-old center from West Virginia, leading the way.
“It starts with Zach,” Rodgers said Wednesday before the team’s first padded practice of camp. “He’s a highly intelligent player. It helps because as much as I have a good feel of the offense, I’m not what I would call an expert of the offense yet.
“I think you become an expert, well, I become an expert when you break the huddle and see the picture in my mind.”
That always wasn’t the case for Rodgers in the first four practices during the heat acclimation period. The initial padded practice was scheduled for Tuesday but was pushed back 24 hours when rain forced the Steelers to take their workout indoors.
“Every now and then the picture is a little fuzzy still,” Rodgers said. “I’m still working things out. Zach is so smart. He’s making the calls for me. I told him not to get used to that, that at some point I’m going to make the calls for you.”
The first few days of practice had some eventful moments for the oldest player in the NFL and the youngest center. Frazier had some low exchanges with Rodgers at the outset of 11-on-11 periods, including one that skipped past the quarterback.
“I have to finish my snap,” Frazier said Wednesday. “You can’t have low snaps. I’m going to clean that up.”
Rodgers predicted that Frazier would be involved in the first fight with players sporting pads for the first time.
“When he gets those big West Virginia paws on somebody, that could definitely start something,” Rodgers said.
After the morning walkthrough, Rodgers was whisked across the Saint Vincent College campus for an appearance on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show. The presence of McAfee, a Plum grad and former West Virginia punter, brought an overflow crowd to the Unity Township campus.
Rodgers was one of several players and coaches that McAfee had appear on his show. He seemed to enjoy the atmosphere on the hillside overlooking Chuck Noll Field as much as he has practicing in front of thousands of fans every day.
Rodgers was asked if he’s having as much fun as it seems.
“Once it stops being fun, you probably should hang it up,” he said. “I like that we’re out here in Latrobe. I love the opportunity for true camaraderie at night after meetings are done. Guys hang out. Guys come in my room. Last night, I was in (Alex) Highsmith’s room. It’s cool to see guys hang out, and it’s been a lot of fun.”