Rodgers and Steelers QBs Face Backlash Over Paris Arrival Outfits
Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback room turned heads ahead of the NFL's first regular-season game in Paris on Sunday, but not necessarily for the right reasons. The group arrived at Stade de France wearing matching suits inspired by the hit Netflix series "Peaky Blinders," a look that quickly drew ridicule on social media given the show's setting in Birmingham, England, rather than France.
The Steelers' official X account posted photos of Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, Drew Allar, and quarterbacks coach Tom Arth in the coordinated attire, captioned "By order of the Peaky Blinders." The post was intended as a lighthearted nod to the popular crime drama, but fans were quick to point out the geographical mismatch. "Ah yes, the famously French Peaky Blinders," one user wrote. Another added, "Peaky Blinders? Has the game been moved to Birmingham?"
The criticism was not limited to social media. Outlets including The Mirror US and Awful Announcing highlighted the irony that Rodgers, who was the subject of a high-profile Netflix documentary, appeared unfamiliar with the streamer's catalog. The Mirror described the decision as a "foolish Paris outfit choice," while noting that the look itself was stylish but culturally off-key. The Steelers' quarterbacks were not the only ones making a fashion statement, however.
A New Uniform Combination for the History-Making Game
The quarterback arrivals came as the Steelers prepared to wear a never-before-seen uniform combination for the landmark game against the New Orleans Saints. According to the team's official website, Pittsburgh combined its white away jerseys with black Color Rush pants and black helmets—a first for the franchise. The Steelers are the road team, hence the white jerseys, but the organization wanted to mix things up for the game in the fashion capital of the world.
"We are playing in a different environment, so it's cool to mix and match," tight end Darnell Washington said. "It's a look good, feel good, play good feeling." Linebacker Nick Herbig echoed that sentiment: "It's a little change-up, something different. Like they say, when in Rome, but we're going to be in Paris, so let's do it." The uniform combination was unveiled earlier in the week, with players getting a sneak peek during a photoshoot.
Context: A Landmark Game Marred by Off-Field Concerns
The Week 7 matchup between the Steelers and Saints marks the first-ever NFL regular-season game played in France, a significant milestone in the league's international expansion efforts. The game kicked off Sunday at Stade de France amid a week of uncertainty due to civil unrest that has swept through France, culminating in riots across the country. Despite calls to postpone the game, the NFL proceeded as scheduled, with the Steelers and Saints taking the field.
The game itself carries substantial stakes for Pittsburgh. Sitting at 4-2 for the fourth straight year, the Steelers are in a three-way tie atop the AFC North, though the Cleveland Browns hold the tiebreaker due to their 2-0 division record. Pittsburgh currently owns the No. 6 seed in the AFC Wild Card race. With a daunting five-game stretch looming after their Week 9 bye—including matchups against the Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars—the Steelers cannot afford to overlook the Saints. As Sports Illustrated noted, Pittsburgh's schedule gets noticeably tougher once it resumes action following the bye, making Sunday's game in Paris a crucial opportunity to bank a win.
Rodgers in the Spotlight
Rodgers, now in his second season with the Steelers, remains one of the league's most scrutinized figures. The future Hall of Famer's every move—on and off the field—draws attention, and his fashion choices are no exception. While the "Peaky Blinders" outfits were clearly intended as a bonding moment for the quarterback room, the backlash underscores the heightened scrutiny that comes with playing in a global spotlight. The Steelers' social media team leaned into the moment, but the response suggested that the joke may have missed its mark.
Perspective: When Fashion and Football Collide
The incident is a reminder that in the age of social media, even pregame attire can become a story. For the NFL, which is aggressively marketing itself to international audiences, the Paris game represents a major step in growing the sport's global footprint. But as the Steelers learned, cultural references that resonate domestically do not always translate abroad—or even to fans online. The "Peaky Blinders" gaffe is unlikely to have any bearing on the game's outcome, but it has added a layer of intrigue to a matchup already steeped in novelty.
For Rodgers and the Steelers, the focus will quickly shift to the field, where a win over the Saints would keep them in the thick of the AFC playoff race. The quarterback room's fashion statement may be remembered as a minor footnote, but it serves as a cautionary tale: when in Paris, perhaps do as the French do—or at least brush up on your Netflix geography.
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