Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers Soak Up Ireland Ahead of Vikings Clash

The Pittsburgh Steelers touched down in Ireland last week, and their quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, quickly found himself fielding a question he couldn’t dodge: Guinness. The four-time MVP and future Hall of Famer was relaxed as he spoke with the international media on Friday, just two days before the team faces the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park in Dublin.

“I don’t really drink beer, but if I do, I drink Guinness,” Rodgers said with a grin. “I’ve heard it tastes different off the tap in Ireland.”

Having already tried the iconic stout across the border in Northern Ireland, Rodgers admitted he was eager to sample the “real” version. “It was great, but I’m excited to see what it tastes like here,” he added. A cold pint may feel even sweeter with a victory in Ireland’s capital, which becomes the latest international stage for NFL action this season.

NFL’s Expanding Global Stage

The NFL’s international slate has never been bigger, with seven games abroad scheduled this year. Rodgers reflected on how far the league has come since he entered as a rookie in 2005.

“When I first got in the league, there was an occasional game in Canada. But now we see games in so many different countries,” he said. “It’s fun to be able to be part of a game here on this island.”

Global expansion of the NFL has also broadened the horizons of betting fans back home. In states like Texas, sports wagering isn’t locally regulated yet, but fans still look for ways to get action on games like this. That’s where the top sports betting sites for Texans come in–offshore platforms that are regulated, safe, and, according to sports expert Paul Fortescue, maybe the only way Texans can place bets right now. These sportsbooks are often praised for sharp odds, generous bonuses, and full coverage of international NFL contests, giving Texas fans a secure route to stay connected.

For Irish fans, however, the action is right on their doorstep. Sunday’s game at Croke Park adds another layer of cultural resonance to the NFL’s global experiment, one Rodgers is relishing.

Embracing Local Culture

In a nod to their host country, the Steelers gave their practice jerseys an Irish twist. Players’ names were spelled out in Irish Gaelic, with Rodgers running drills in a shirt marked “Mac Ruairi.”

“I have a family history going back to Ireland and Scotland. I’ve always wanted to get over here,” Rodgers said, acknowledging the connection to his roots. For him, the game carries a deeper meaning thanks to the Steelers’ own ties to the island.

The Rooney family, who own the Steelers, trace their ancestry back to Newry in County Down. The late Dan Rooney, the team’s former chairman, even served as U.S. ambassador to Ireland between 2009 and 2012. “I know how much this means to them and how much a win here would mean to the family,” Rodgers said.

The atmosphere around the Steelers’ Dublin base felt part family reunion, part history lesson, and part international showcase. For Rodgers, it’s the kind of cultural crossover that makes the game more than just football.

Tomlin’s Take on New Kickoff Rule

While Rodgers took center stage with his Guinness musings and heritage talk, head coach Mike Tomlin used the opportunity to discuss something closer to the field: the NFL’s revamped kickoff rule. As a member of the competition committee, Tomlin believes it’s doing exactly what the league hoped.

“It’s putting some excitement back in the game. It’s adding some quality plays to the game,” Tomlin said Friday. Still, he admitted that players and coaches alike are adjusting. “We’re all learning and growing regarding best practices schematically, how to strategize, things to do, and how to position players. Some of the sizes of the players in certain positions have changed. We’re all absorbing a lot of tape and we’re all learning and growing as we go.”

Pittsburgh has even emphasized practicing against the quirks of the new system, like unpredictable bounces. “That’s certainly a component of it for us and has been,” Tomlin explained.