Week 8 is just getting started around the NFL, and that means that we’re just getting started seeing the headlines and discussion about Aaron Rodgers’ first (and potentially only) game against the Green
Bay Packers. Now that attention has moved on from Week 7 and the Packers’ win in Arizona, all eyes are on the Packers’ upcoming matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football and the constant attention on the Rodgers factor.
For his part, Rodgers appears to be downplaying any potential animosity that he might feel towards the Packers. But let’s face it — this isn’t just another game, and it will be hard to imagine him not having a little bit of extra motivation this week.
The concept of a “revenge” game has certainly been promoted over the years as a way to draw more viewers to NFL games, and Rodgers himself has certainly been the subject of some of that conjecture in the past. Perhaps the biggest example of that was in the Packers’ first game against Mike McCarthy after he took over head coaching duties for the Dallas Cowboys. That did not happen until 2022 — McCarthy’s third year in charge and ultimately Rodgers’ last year with the Packers — but the quarterback led a furious fourth-quarter comeback against his old coach as the Packers won 31-28 in overtime.
Will there be similar extra motivation on Sunday night, regardless of what word one would use to describe it? Probably. But for now, Rodgers and the Packers are saying nothing but nice things about one another as the week ticks closer to Sunday night.
Still, regardless of the quarterback-opponent relationship, this game should be worthy of prime time treatment anyway. These two teams are atop their respective divisions, with the Packers currently holding the top spot in the NFC. That should be enough to get a casual fan to tune in regardless of the Rodgers factor, but don’t think that the NFL and its media partners will pass on any opportunity to shove that storyline in our faces over the next few days.
Aaron Rodgers: Packers vs. Steelers on Sunday ‘not a revenge game for me’ | NFL.com
Whatever he wants to call it, there is sure to be some extra emotion on both sides.
Packers QB Jordan Love reflects on his time as Aaron Rodgers’ backup | Packers.com
“He’s one of those guys that breaks all the rules,” Love said of Rodgers. That’s for sure — he does a lot of unconventional things, but it certainly worked well for him over the last 20 years.
Packers’ Keisean Nixon Recalls Aaron Rodgers Helping Him When He Came to Green Bay | SI.com
Nixon had a very difficult time adjusting to life in Green Bay in 2022 before Rodgers helped get him to relax and open up with his new teammates.
52 Modern-Era Players advance in voting process for Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 | Pro Football Hall of Fame
Jahri Evans, who ended his career with one quality season for the Packers, is on the list, but no other former Packers are here — not Clay Matthews or Jordy Nelson or Josh Sitton.
Packers wearing all-white uniform combination vs. Steelers in Week 8 | Packers Wire
This is probably a good thing, given that the Steelers are wearing their new throwbacks this weekend — which feature a ton of yellow that would probably conflict with the Packers’ normal helmet and pants.
AWS crash causes $2,000 Smart Beds to overheat and get stuck upright | Dexerto
Maybe having a literal bed that relies on the internet to function as a bed isn’t the best plan.
