Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union via Imagn Images

Packers Coach Doesn’t Hold Back on Facing Aaron Rodgers

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Oct 21, 2025 9:24 AM ET

When the Green Bay Packers play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8, it will be more than just a battle between two top teams in their respective divisions. With quarterback Aaron Rodgers facing his former team on his new turf, plenty of eyes will be on the matchup and how the iconic signal-caller performs.

Rodgers played 18 years in Green Bay from 2005 until his exit in 2022. He went on to play for two seasons with the New York Jets before opting to join the Steelers this past offseason.

The Packers, meanwhile, have moved on from Rodgers. Jordan Love — who was taken 26th overall during the 2020 NFL Draft — took over as the team's starting QB and has since led the team to two playoff appearances.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks on during practice.Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

Despite the storyline surrounding Rodgers and Green Bay, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur emphasized that they are not focused on that. Instead, they are looking at the bigger picture, highlighting that the game is about them against the Steelers and not just their former QB alone.

"It's as simple as that," said LaFleur, who coached Rodgers from 2019 until 2022 (per Zach Jacobson of 247 Sports). "That's for you guys to talk about. We have a lot of respect for Aaron and what he's done here. He's a Hall-of-Famer. I know our past together, we had a lot of great moments but the game isn't about that."

He added, "It's about going to Pittsburgh, Sunday Night Football, our guys will be jacked up, their guys will be jacked up. It's about the Green Bay Packers versus the Pittsburgh Steelers and you guys can talk about all those other storylines."

The Steelers are 4-2 on the season, having just lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7. Despite that, they are still atop the AFC North. Meanwhile, the Packers boast a 4-1-1 record and remain in the lead in the NFC North.

That being said, Rodgers' presence aside, the showdown between the Steelers and Packers should be an interesting one.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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