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Whereas Aaron Rodgers took additional delight in beating the Jets again in Week 1, the Steelers quarterback has made it clear that the identical power does not apply to Sunday’s recreation towards the Packers, his different former staff that he loved an amazing quantity of success with throughout their 18-year partnership.
“I haven’t got any animosity towards the group,” Rodgers mentioned. “Clearly, I want that issues have been higher in our final 12 months there, however I’ve an ideal relationship with lots of people nonetheless in that group, and this isn’t a revenge recreation for me. I am simply excited to see a few of these guys and be on ‘Sunday Night time Soccer.'”
Rodgers has a profound appreciation for his time in Inexperienced Bay and the issues he and the Packers had been in a position to accomplish. He does, nonetheless, want that their time collectively had ended otherwise.
After the Packers drafted his eventual successor — Jordan Love — in 2020, Rodgers responded with back-to-back MVP seasons whereas taking part in elite degree ball. You would argue that Rodgers’ play throughout that span was higher than any quarterback in historical past, together with his former teammate Brett Favre’s impeccable three-year run from 1995-97 that included three consecutive league MVP awards.
Rodgers’ success correlated to staff success for the Packers, who received the NFC North each years in addition to home-field benefit all through the playoffs. Within the playoffs, nonetheless, Inexperienced Bay suffered heartbreaking dwelling playoff losses to the eventual champion Buccaneers and the 49ers (Rodgers’ childhood staff), respectively.
In 2022, Rodgers performed all 12 months regardless of taking part in many of the 12 months with a damaged thumb in his proper throwing hand. Regardless of Rodgers’ harm and a 5-8 file, the Packers received three straight video games to place themselves in place to make the playoffs with a win over the visiting Lions in Week 18. The Lions received, nonetheless, eliminating the Packers from postseason competition in what was finally Rodgers’ ultimate recreation at Lambeau Subject.
“Clearly would have beloved to experience off within the sundown,” Rodgers mentioned. “That is not the way in which the league goes typically. And you understand, I knew the writing was on the wall when Jordan was picked. … I knew sooner or later there could be a change, and if I wished to play, it in all probability must be elsewhere. So I perceive the state of affairs.”
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Rodgers’ need to proceed taking part in has led to Sunday evening’s showdown between his new staff and his former one. For each groups, Sunday is an opportunity to maintain their pole positions of their respective divisions. For Rodgers, he has an opportunity to change into solely the fifth quarterback in NFL historical past to beat all 32 NFL groups.
A number of years in the past, Rodgers might have relished the possibility to make historical past towards the Packers. Now, nonetheless, the 41-year-old is just appreciative of the truth that he will get to share the sector with the staff that he might be eternally linked to 1 final time.
“Absence makes the center develop fonder,” he mentioned. “I’ve loads of nice reminiscences from my time. There lot of nice interactions with followers through the years. You understand, dwelling in Inexperienced Bay, dwelling in Suamico, dwelling in Hobart, going to Chives, being out and about, seeing individuals on the Piggly Wiggly and I am searching for groceries.
“I grew up there. I spent 18 years there, from (age) 21 to 39. So I am grateful for my time there.”
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