Aaron Rodgers Falls Short as Love, Packers Beat Steelers 35–25

For nearly two decades, Aaron Rodgers embodied the heartbeat of Green Bay football. On Sunday night, however, he faced the echoes of his legacy — and the roar of “Go Pack Go” — from the opposite sideline. In his first game against the Packers since their split, Rodgers delivered flashes of his trademark precision but couldn’t match the poise and rhythm of his successor, Jordan Love, as the Pittsburgh Steelers fell 35–25 at Acrisure Stadium.

The game, billed as a symbolic “passing of the torch,” saw Love channel everything he learned from his former mentor — calm command, sharp accuracy, and the ability to take over in crunch time. The Packers’ young quarterback completed 29 of 35 passes for 360 yards and three touchdowns, powering Green Bay to its first road win in Pittsburgh since 1970.

Love Outduels His Mentor

Love entered the game knowing the emotional weight of the matchup but played like a seasoned veteran. His confidence built as the night went on, completing a franchise record-tying 20 consecutive passes spanning both halves. The 25-year-old showcased the very traits he had spent years studying from Rodgers — timing, balance, and decision-making — but with his own youthful flair.

“My mindset was just to focus on getting that win and blocking out all the extra stuff,” Love said. “Just being the player my team needs me to be.”

Tight end Tucker Kraft exploded for a career-high 143 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while Christian Watson, returning from an ACL injury, added 85 yards. Josh Jacobs’ 3-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter sealed the Packers’ win, as Pittsburgh’s defense once again crumbled under sustained pressure.

“He was on fire,” head coach Matt LaFleur said of Love. “Jordan’s been patient and has worked his way to this moment. He earned every bit of it.”

Rodgers’ Emotional Night Ends in Defeat

For Rodgers, the evening carried both sentiment and sting. Playing against the franchise that drafted him in 2005 and defined his Hall of Fame career, he took time before kickoff to reconnect with former staffers, coaches, and teammates from his 18-year Green Bay tenure. But once the game began, nostalgia gave way to frustration.

Rodgers completed 24 of 36 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns but was sacked three times and hit repeatedly as Pittsburgh’s offense sputtered after a promising start. The Steelers converted just 1 of 10 third downs and mustered only 117 yards in the second half.

“Disappointed,” Rodgers said postgame. “Disappointed I didn’t play better, that we didn’t play better — especially in the second half.”

The Packers’ defense, led by Rashan Gary and Micah Parsons, executed its game plan to perfection, knocking Rodgers off his spot without blitzing. They pressured him on 39 dropbacks while sending extra rushers just once — tied for the lowest blitz rate of Rodgers’ career when throwing at least 10 passes.

Packers’ Defense Makes Statement

Gary, one of the few remaining Packers to have played alongside Rodgers, set the tone with two sacks, including a key third-down stop on Pittsburgh’s opening drive. Parsons later added another sack, calling Rodgers “one of the greatest of all time” but noting that Green Bay’s defensive chemistry made the difference.

“You can’t give him time,” Gary said. “He’s still a Hall of Famer, but we knew if we kept him moving, we’d be fine.”

Bittersweet Ending for a Storied Career Arc

Despite the loss, Rodgers received warm embraces before and after the game from members of the Packers organization. While he downplayed any notion of revenge, the 41-year-old admitted the moment was emotional.

“This game is about relationships,” Rodgers said. “It was good to see the guys who helped shape my career — trainers, equipment staff, old coaches. That meant a lot.”

Still, as chants of “Go Pack Go” echoed through Acrisure Stadium, Rodgers found himself on the unfamiliar end of the celebration. It was a stark reminder that while his Green Bay chapter had closed, the Packers’ next one — led by Jordan Love — had just begun.