In potentially one of the biggest games that the NFL has seen in years, the Pittsburgh Steelers are set to face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football this week. For the first time in his storied career, future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers is set to face off against the team that he spent 18 years with (2005-2022). During that time, he won four MVPs, led the team to eight NFC North titles, and guided the Packers to a victory in Super Bowl XLV over his current team, the Steelers. After the 2022 season, Green Bay decided that it was time for current Packers quarterback Jordan Love to take the reins as the starter. Rodgers was eventually traded to the New York Jets. After two troublesome seasons there, he became a free agent and landed in Pittsburgh this season.
Gary A. Vasquez / Associated Press
The Pittsburgh Steelers face off against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV.
Rodgers (105.0 passer rating) has led the Steelers to first-place positioning in the AFC North after six games with a mark of 4-2. Now, with the Packers sitting in first place in the NFC North at 4-1-1, this game is already set to be a fantastic battle. However, the fact that Rodgers is facing his old team makes this battle even greater.
While recently appearing on Deebo & Joe, former Steelers Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden illustrated why he believes Rodgers outplaying his old understudy in Love could be the biggest storyline out of Sunday night.
"For us, it's going to be A-Rod outplaying Jordan Love," said Haden. "Packers made the wrong decision moving on. That would be the bigger draw."
While the decision from the Packers to move forward with Love instead of Rodgers took place after the 2022 season, sometimes the great players don't ever forget those types of disrespectful moments. Not only do they not forget, but they also keep that chip on their shoulder. Few players have done a better job than Rodgers at playing and succeeding with a chip on their shoulder. That's part of the reason why he became a champion and one of the greatest NFL players in history.
ESPN
Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers communicating to teammates during a game.
What if in the first and only battle against his old team, the former Super Bowl MVP threw for over 300 yards and four touchdowns en route to guiding Pittsburgh to a victory? That would be quite the statement after Green Bay originally felt that Rodgers was not good enough to be their starter.
Aaron Rodgers Looks Like His Old MVP Self Again
After two tough seasons with the Jets, Rodgers has seemingly regained some of his old MVP form. In fact, it has carried over from the second half of last season. In the final 10 games of the 2024 season, the 10-time Pro Bowl selection threw 18 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Playing for Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith in the Steel City has allowed him to keep that momentum going. He has had multiple four-touchdown performances through the team's first six games and is on pace to throw 40 touchdowns, which is simply ridiculous at 41 years of age. If he were to continue his impressive play against his old team, that could be extra sweet for him. In fact, he might have to play impressive football once again to help out his struggling defense.
Steelers.com
Steelers' Spencer Anderson and Aaron Rodgers celebrate after a play during a game against the Bengals on Thursday Night Football in 2025.
Furthermore, Arthur Smith's offense is going to have to find a way to find success against an elite Green Bay defense, which is led by All-Pro edge-rusher Micah Parsons, who had three sacks in the team's win on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. That is part of the reason why this battle is set to be a truly special one. Old acquaintances renewed for Rodgers. Two first-place teams. Two legendary franchises. Talented players all over the field. There is a very real chance that this could be one of the great NFL games in recent memory, and Rodgers is at the very center of it all.
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