The NFL schedule makers knew what they were doing when they pitted the Green Bay Packers against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football in Week Eight. Even though former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was still a free agent at the time, all signs pointed to him signing with Pittsburgh for the 2025 NFL season.
Over the weekend, that is exactly what he did.
And so, in what will be one of the highest-rated games of the year, Rodgers and the Steelers will host Jordan Love, the quarterback Green Bay drafted to replace him, and the Packers in Week Eight.
Of course, Rodgers’ recent signing has been the talk of the NFL world, and on Wednesday, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur discussed the reality of facing his former MVP quarterback.
A New Era, Same Rivalry
After practice during mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, LaFleur met with the media to discuss a variety of topics. One of these was Green Bay’s matchup with Pittsburgh in Week Eight.
“It’ll be a great challenge for us,” LaFleur said. “We all know what type of player he is and how good he is. I’m sure he’ll be telling everybody all our signals, so we’ll have to maybe play that mind game with him a little bit.”
Rodgers, of course, played under LaFleur for four seasons from 2019–2022. That being said, when Green Bay traded Rodgers, they also moved on from other aging stars. Now, even though just two seasons have passed, the offense looks very different than it did from when Rodgers played.
Sure, many of the plays are the same as they are the skeleton of LaFleur’s playbook. But because they are younger and faster, this current Packers offense can do some things differently than they did when they had the four-time NFL MVP under center as he approached his 40th birthday.
Adapting to a New Reality
With Jordan Love now leading the charge, the Packers are looking to build a new identity — one that doesn’t rely on a single superstar but rather on team cohesion and execution.
LaFleur emphasized that while the game plan will remain similar, the execution will need to evolve.
“We’ve got a different group of players,” LaFleur said. “They’re younger, they’re faster, and they bring a different kind of energy. We have to make sure we’re ready for that.”
This includes preparing for the mental and physical challenges that come with facing Rodgers again, especially in a high-stakes environment like Sunday Night Football.
The Mind Game Begins
One of the biggest challenges for the Packers will be the psychological aspect of the game. Rodgers is known for his leadership, intelligence, and ability to read defenses — all qualities that make him a dangerous opponent.
But LaFleur isn’t worried about the pressure of the moment. He believes the team is prepared and focused on the task at hand.
“Every week is a challenge,” he said. “But this one is going to be special. We’ll take it seriously and be ready to go.”
Final Thoughts
As the Week 8 showdown approaches, the Packers are not only preparing for a physical battle but also a mental one. With Rodgers on the other side, the stakes are high, and the pressure is on.
But with Jordan Love stepping up and the team chemistry growing stronger, the Packers are ready to face whatever comes their way.
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