Pittsburgh said Aaron Rodgers is entitled to his personal views after his ESPN appearance on Anthony Fauci triggered a fierce online backlash.
Burt Lauten, the Steelers' spokesman, said cultural and political debates bring differing perspectives and that the locker room holds a variety of opinions.
The uproar followed Rodgers' criticism of Fauci over pleading the Fifth Amendment 111 times in recent U.S. Senate hearings, while other critics revived his past COVID-19 vaccine controversy.
The team took a similar line in May 2025 after quarterback Mason Rudolph appeared with Donald Trump at a U.S. Steel rally, saying players' individual choices do not necessarily reflect the organization.