Patriots lineman Cory Durden taunts Aaron Rodgers on social media after win over Steelers

The New England Patriots made life miserable for Aaron Rodgers throughout Sunday’s matchup at Gillette Stadium, sacking him four times and doling out another seven quarterback hits against the future Hall of Famer.

It was an impressive performance from New England’s defense, with Patriots defensive lineman Cory Durden relishing in the dominant showing the day after the Patriots secured a 20-3 win over the Steelers.

Durden, who finished with two tackles in New England’s first win of the season, took to social media on Monday to further twist the knife against the 42-year-old Rodgers — who announced earlier this summer that 2026 will be his final season in the NFL. 

​“Enjoy retirement my dog,” Durden wrote on X while also posting a crying laughing emoji.

Durden eventually deleted the tweet on Monday evening and scrubbed his entire X account after also landing a shot against Steelers center Zach Frazier earlier in the afternoon.

Durden’s initial tweet had photos of New England’s defense putting Rodgers and Pittsburgh’s offense under duress, with the Steelers finishing with just 235 total yards of offense and converting on just two of their 12 third-down opportunities.

​Pittsburgh only had one play on offense that went for over 20 yards — a 26-yard scramble by Jaylen Warren in the fourth quarter.

Rodgers finished Sunday’s game in Foxborough with just 187 yards on 23-of-39 passes with zero touchdowns and one interception. The pick — snagged out of the air by Patriots rookie Gabe Jacas off a tip drill — snapped a stretch of 310 pass attempts for Rodgers without an interception.

New England’s defense also generated a touchdown in the fourth quarter after Christian Barmore strip-sacked Rodgers, allowing Elijah Ponder to scoop up the loose ball and return it in the end zone to give the Patriots some breathing room.

The most painful play of the afternoon for Rodgers came in the second quarter, with Christian Elliss exploding off the edge unblocked and doling out a massive blindside hit against Rodgers.

Robert Spillane collided with Rodgers at the same time, sandwiching the veteran QB and forcing a fumble. The ball tumbled back down the other end of the field, turning what was a promising drive for Pittsburgh in New England territory into a 4th-and-43 situation. ​

“That was definitely a shot. I haven’t taken too many of those in my career,” Rodgers said postgame of the hit. “Because usually I have a feeling if we’re picked up or not picked up. That was a lapse in communication, obviously, there.”​

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel also seemed to land a slight dig at the Steelers during his Monday morning appearance on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show.”

“I don’t think this was one of the best offenses we’ll face this year, so try to keep things in perspective and go from there,” Vrabel said.

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.

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