Rodgers Annoyed by Late Trip to Ireland: Steelers vs Vikings

Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers in Ireland: A Late Arrival and High Expectations

Dublin – Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers landed in Ireland on Friday morning, but the quarterback would have preferred to arrive earlier for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park.

“It is what it is, but if the schedule had been different, if I could have chosen it, maybe we would have arrived on Monday; Tuesday is the day off,” Rodgers commented in a press conference before Friday’s training. “It’s good to get out, see some things. It looks like a beautiful country, from what I’ve seen in pictures.”

Aaron Rodgers

Sources from the league reported that NFL teams are responsible for their travel schedules. However, Steelers owner Art Rooney II said they worked in conjunction with the league to make the decision. Rooney added that the scheduling decision was a “football decision”.

“I also would have liked to have the guys here a few more days,” Rooney said. “But we’re in the middle of the season, so we had to do what’s best for the team.”

Art Rooney II

The Steelers practiced in Pittsburgh on Wednesday and Thursday before departing for Dublin on Thursday night for the NFL’s first regular season game in Ireland. The team is staying an hour from downtown Dublin at a hotel that has training fields. Rooney indicated that the team will have a few free hours to explore the area and visit Dublin on Saturday afternoon.

“I have family history in Ireland and Scotland, so I’ve always wanted to come here,” Rodgers said. “… I’m a historian, so I know the history, geopolitically, of the area. I’m a big Guinness fan. I don’t drink a lot of beer, but if I do, I drink Guinness. It’s not a lie, it’s the truth. I’ve heard it tastes different on tap in Ireland and in the United States. I was in Northern Ireland and it was great, but I’m excited to see what it tastes like here.”

Aaron Rodgers