Why Packers should tune out Rodgers' praise before 'SNF' matchup

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Why Packers should tune out Aaron Rodgers' praise before 'SNF' matchup

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 23, 2025 6:04 PM ET

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has nothing but compliments for the Green Bay Packers before Sunday's game.

Rodgers faces the Packers for the first time in his 21-year career on "Sunday Night Football" at 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC). On Thursday, he held a session with Green Bay media to reflect on all the good times he had with the organization.

Aaron Rodgers says he will retire a Green Bay Packer

"Feel so good about my time there because [darn] near everything great in my life is because of my football career, and my football career starts, and will one day end, with Green Bay," Rodgers said, via ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "So, I've got a lot of love for all those memories."

Rodgers then added that he wishes the game were at Lambeau Field in Green Bay instead of Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. Of course, many of his greatest triumphs have been in the Packers' stadium.

Aaron Rodgers on a Zoom with Packers media: “Feel so good about my time there because damn near everything great in my life is because of my football career, and my football career starts, and will end one day, with Green Bay. So got a lot of love for all those memories.” pic.twitter.com/3bgVe11h4z
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) October 23, 2025

"This one would mean a lot more if it were in Lambeau," Rodgers said. "Just because of the affection I have for that place and the hallowed ground of Lambeau Field and all the amazing memories that I have there over the years."

One more from Rodgers’ Zoom: “This one would mean a lot more if it was in Lambeau just because of affection I have for that place and the hallowed ground of Lambeau Field and all the amazing memories that I have there over the years.”
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) October 23, 2025

Rodgers clearly still loves the franchise. However, is he expressing that to catch the Packers off guard?

Aaron Rodgers may want revenge against the Packers

On Wednesday, Rodgers said he doesn't view Sunday's matchup as a "revenge game." NFL commentators aren't buying that take for good reason.

The 41-year-old could be considered petty. After a 34-32 Week 1 victory over the New York Jets — his other former team — the QB said he was "happy to beat everybody associated with [the club]."

Rodgers spent just two underwhelming seasons with the Jets after being traded to New York in April 2023. Now, imagine how he feels about Green Bay, where he played for 18 seasons.

Despite winning four MVPs and Super Bowl XLV with the Packers, that didn't stop the club from taking his successor, Jordan Love, with the 26th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Rodgers' praise might be genuine. But, he also remembers the Packers working on a succession plan when he was the franchise QB. That should motivate him in Sunday's game.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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