Matchups between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers are almost always historic because of the aura surrounding both franchises. But in Week 8, Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will face the organization that drafted him, Green Bay, on the opposite sideline for the first time in his 21-year NFL career.
The conclusion of Rodgers’ tenure with the Packers wasn’t a storybook ending. Green Bay drafted Rodgers’ replacement when he was still winning MVP awards.
But while addressing his emotions about the matchup in front of reporters Wednesday, Rodgers made clear he has nothing but love for the Packers.
“I don’t have any animosity toward the organization,” Rodgers said, via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “Obviously, I wish that things had been better in our last year there. But I have a great relationship with a lot of people still in that organization.
“This is not a revenge game for me. I’m just excited to see some of those guys and be on Sunday Night Football again.
“I have a lot of great memories from my time there.”
Rodgers went on to mention a lot of the Wisconsin towns where he lived while playing for the Packers. He also referred to a local grocery store where he used to see fans while shopping for food.
The Steelers and Rodgers will host the Packers on Sunday Night Football this weekend.
Aaron Rodgers Thankful to Packers, Knew He Probably Would Play Elsewhere
Rodgers began his career with the Packers as the eventual replacement for a legend, Brett Favre. Despite Favre leading Green Bay to an NFC championship game during the 2007 season, the Packers elected to move on to Rodgers, who was drafted three years earlier.
The organization made that decision despite Favre wanting to return after initially retiring.
During Rodgers’ first year as a starter, Favre moved on to play for the New York Jets. Eventually, Favre returned to the NFC North with the Minnesota Vikings.
Ironically, Rodgers’ career took a similar path. The Packers had their next franchise quarterback, Jordan Love, in waiting while Rodgers was leading the team to playoff wins.
Rodgers shared Wednesday that after the Packers drafted Love, he knew if he wanted to keep playing it wouldn’t be with Green Bay.
“Obviously, would have loved to ride off into the sunset after a Super Bowl win, but that’s not the way the league goes sometimes,” Rodgers said. “I knew the writing was on the wall when Jordan was picked, and it was a matter of time. I happened to win MVP the first two years he was with us.
“But I knew at some point there would be a change, and if I wanted to play, it probably would have to be elsewhere. So, I understood the situation.”
The Packers selected Love at No. 26 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Love sat behind Rodgers in his first three seasons.
Green Bay picked Rodgers at No. 24 overall in the 2005 NFL Draft. Rodgers also became a regular starter during his fourth campaign.
Rodgers Admits Matchup Would Feel Different at Lambeau Field
Three years removed from his last season with the Packers, there aren’t a lot of players remaining that were teammates with Rodgers in Green Bay.
That makes his first meeting against the Packers less meaningful. Rodgers admitted facing the Packers at Acrisure Stadium instead of in Green Bay will also make a difference.
“It would feel different if it was going back to Green Bay,” Rodgers added, via The TribLive.com’s Joe Rutter. “I have a lot of love for their organization. But if we were playing at Lambeau, that would be a little different feeling for sure.”
Rodgers shared the people he has communicated with this week are Packers personnel. He mentioned he has received text messages from a Green Bay photographer, nutritionist and trainer. All three were with the Packers for a majority of Rodgers’ 18 years.
If the Steelers quarterback defeats the Packers, he will have a win against all 32 NFL teams. Only four quarterbacks have accomplished that feat in league history.
In 18 seasons, Rodgers won four MVP awards with Green Bay. He led the Packers to their fourth Super Bowl championship during 2010-11.
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