Aaron Rodgers’ hard hit sparks jokes about his past relationship
A hard hit on Aaron Rodgers quickly became one of the talking points from the Steelers’ loss to the Patriots. But the play did more than force a fumble and create a major setback for Pittsburgh.
As footage spread online, fans also brought Rodgers’ past relationship with Shailene Woodley into the conversation, turning a tense NFL moment into a social-media talking point. Here’s what happened during the game and how the online reaction developed afterward.
Elliss recorded the sack and forced fumble
Christian Elliss was credited with a sack, a forced fumble, and 12 total tackles in New England’s 20-3 victory. The Patriots’ official statistics list the play among his contributions during the home opener.
Elliss entered the game having appeared in one regular-season game in 2026. His performance against Pittsburgh produced his second career 10-tackle game, according to the Patriots’ postgame material.
The play involved pressure from two defenders
Rodgers was hit by Elliss from the blind side while former Steeler Robert Spillane also reached him from the front. The simultaneous pressure left Rodgers unable to secure the football as the play developed.
The loose ball traveled through several players before Steelers offensive lineman Troy Fautanu recovered it. Because the ball moved backward during the scramble, Pittsburgh ultimately lost 36 yards on the play.
Rodgers called it a communication lapse
After the game, Rodgers described the hit as a shot and said he had not taken many similar hits during his career. He said he usually has a sense of whether the protection has been picked up.
Rodgers identified the protection breakdown as a lapse in communication. Steelers coach Mike McCarthy said the team had expected pressure and had devoted significant preparation to its protection plan, but Pittsburgh struggled to establish offensive rhythm during the 20-3 loss.
The Steelers struggled throughout the game
Pittsburgh finished the game with 235 total yards and converted only 2 of 12 third-down attempts. The Steelers committed 2 turnovers, including 1 lost fumble by Rodgers and 1 interception.
Rodgers completed 23 of 39 passes for 187 yards, with no touchdown passes and 1 interception. NFL statistics also credited him with 4 sacks, 43 sack yards and 2 fumbles in Week 2.
New England controlled the defensive battle
The Patriots repeatedly pressured Rodgers during the game and finished with four sacks. New England also recorded seven additional quarterback hits, according to postgame reporting on its defensive performance.
The pressure contributed to Pittsburgh’s limited production on offense. New England held the Steelers to 3.5 yards per play and stopped Pittsburgh on 10 of its 12 third-down opportunities during the 20-3 victory.
Rodgers stayed in the game
Rodgers remained Pittsburgh’s quarterback after the blind-side sack and continued playing until the final drive, when Mason Rudolph replaced him. Rodgers completed 23 of 39 passes for 187 yards before Pittsburgh finished the afternoon with 3 points.
The quarterback later said he had to review the film to understand the offensive problems. He also accepted responsibility for his performance while discussing the team’s difficulty finding rhythm.
Interesting fact: Rodgers is playing his 22nd NFL season in 2026. He played 18 seasons with the Packers, 2 seasons with the Jets and 1 season with the Steelers before returning to Pittsburgh for 2026.
The hit became a social media moment
The blind-side sack quickly circulated online after the game, with football accounts sharing the video and fans commenting on Rodgers’ collision. Pro Football Network documented social-media reactions to the play and its 36-yard consequence.
Some posts connected the phrase “blindsided” to Rodgers’ past relationship with Shailene Woodley. Those comments were fan jokes rather than statements from Woodley, Rodgers, the Steelers, or the Patriots.
Interesting fact: Rodgers’ 2026 move to Pittsburgh came after two seasons with the New York Jets.
Woodley and Rodgers were previously engaged
Shailene Woodley and Aaron Rodgers began dating publicly in 2020 and announced their engagement in February 2021. Their relationship ended before they married, and reports later described a brief reconciliation before their final split.
The former couple became a recurring topic in entertainment and sports coverage because both are public figures. Woodley has generally avoided discussing Rodgers publicly since their relationship ended.
Rodgers recently discussed the relationship
On Sept. 10, Rodgers discussed his past relationship with Woodley during an appearance on Cam Heyward’s Not Just Football podcast. He offered his account of their engagement and breakup while disputing aspects of the public narrative surrounding their relationship.
Woodley was later asked about Rodgers’ comments while attending a pre-Emmys fundraiser in West Hollywood. Reports said she laughed and did not provide a substantive response about his account.
Fans used the relationship reference in jokes
After the Patriots game, social-media users posted jokes linking Rodgers’ blind-side hit with his former engagement to Woodley. Several posts used the word “blindsided” as the connection between the football play and the relationship history.
Those posts were reactions from individual users rather than verified statements about Woodley’s views. There is no evidence that Woodley publicly celebrated, criticized, or otherwise responded to the hit.
The game ended with a decisive Patriots win
New England defeated Pittsburgh 20-3 at Gillette Stadium on September 20, improving to 1-1 for the season. Pittsburgh also moved to 1-1 after winning its Week 1 game against Atlanta.
The Patriots forced 2 turnovers and added a late defensive touchdown. Christian Barmore forced another Rodgers fumble in the fourth quarter, and Elijah Ponder returned it 19 yards for a score.
The internet is also talking about Colin Kaepernick revealing he is still waiting for an NFL opportunity.
The blind-side hit was one part of the story
The Elliss sack became one of the notable moments from Pittsburgh’s loss because it produced a forced fumble and a 36-yard setback. It also generated online jokes referencing Rodgers’ previous relationship with Woodley.
The football facts are separate from those social-media reactions. Rodgers played until the final drive, finished with 187 passing yards, and the Steelers entered Week 3 at 1-1 after their 20-3 defeat in New England.
In other news, Pat McAfee faces backlash after viewers spot him apparently smoking on ESPN.
What do you think about the reaction to the hit? Like this post and comment with your take.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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