Aaron Rodgers said Sunday is not a revenge game

What he said about the Packers in his first ever game against Green Bay
Jordan Love and Aaron Rodgers with Packers
Photo credit Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It’s a tough situation that he benefitted from and also changed his career, Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers says he has no bad feelings playing against Green Bay for the first time Sunday night.

It’s been the Packers mentality to find their next franchise quarterback while their current franchise quarterback is still playing good football. Rodgers was the Packers first-round pick in 2005 even though Brett Favre, 36, was coming off a four-thousand-yard season with 30 touchdowns and the year before led the NFL in touchdown passes. In 2020, Rodgers was coming off consecutive four-thousand-yard seasons and was 37-years-old and the Packers drafted quarterback Jordan Love in the first round.

“I knew the writing was on the wall when Jordan was picked,” Rodgers said Wednesday. “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, if I wanted to play it would probably have to be elsewhere. I understand the situation.”

It's probably easier now a few years removed from it. As he said, you live and you learn. Rodgers said he remembers that first big game filling in for Favre when he was hurt, he went 18-26 for 201 yards and a touchdown at Dallas in 2007. 15 years later, he watched Love have that moment in Philly completing six of nine passes for 113 yards and a score.

“I think that was the message to the organization that this guy is ready to play,” Rodgers said. “I felt like it in ’07, he probably felt like it in ’22.”

“Really happy for him, he’s one of the really good guys in the league. I’m sure his leadership has continued to grow over there. I like the way he is playing. He’s super-accurate. He’s taking care of the football. He’s being opportunistic making great throws down the field and using his legs as well.”

The 26-year-old Love is completing 69.3% (8th in NFL) of his passes for 1,438 yards, 10 touchdowns, two interceptions (4th in NFL) and an 108.1 QB rating (7th in NFL).

Rodgers said he didn’t know a lot of guys besides Love still playing for the Packers now three years removed. That being said, he still keeps in contact with a number of former Green Bay staffers-from trainers to equipment personnel to the team photographer.

“I grew up there, I spent 18 years there,” Rodgers said. “I’m thankful for my time there. Obviously would have loved to ride off in the sunset after a Super Bowl win, but that’s not the way the league goes sometimes.”

“I have nothing but love and appreciation for the fan base, for the City of Green Bay. I’m excited to see a lot of those people.”

The 41-year-old admits it would be different if this game was at Lambeau Field, but it’s still the first time he’s played against them. If he had bad feelings, and at some points he probably did, he says that’s behind him. He’s more reflective now about his 18 seasons in green and gold which included being named MVP of one of the four franchise Super Bowl championships.

“I don’t have any animosity towards the organization,” Rodgers said. “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.”

Featured Image Photo Credit: Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK