Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is one of the greatest players in NFL history. A four-time league MVP and future Pro Football Hall of Famer, there are some who believe is arguably the most talented quarterback of all time, if not the absolute greatest.
While Rodgers’ image in the media and among fans has taken a hit in recent years, there is no denying the fact that he will go down as one of the most successful players in Packers history. For a while, it seemed as if he was destined to play his entire career in Green Bay, but the selection of Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft indicated that, should he want to continue playing, he would eventually need to find a new home.
In 2023, the Packers traded Rodgers to the New York Jets so that Love could take over as the starter. And while Green Bay did not have to face Rodgers in the two seasons since, they will this upcoming year as their former quarterback has signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay’s Week Eight opponent.
And Love cannot wait.
Green Bay Packers Quarterback Jordan Love Is Excited to Face Aaron Rodgers
When the Packers first drafted Love, Rodgers made no secret of the fact that he was not happy with the organization. However, instead of taking his frustration out on his successor as Brett Favre had done to him, he took Love under his wing and mentored him in the way he had wished the Pro Football Hall of Famer had mentored him.
And Love has not forgotten that.
Speaking to reporters at the American Family Insurance Championship on Friday, Love spoke glowingly of his predecessor, and is happy that he will be playing in the NFL this season.
“I was excited for A-Rod. I don’t think I was too surprised,” Love said. “I feel like there were a lot of rumors going on throughout the whole offseason about him going to the Steelers.
“I was excited for him, that he was obviously coming back and going to be playing. There were also some rumors that he might be done, so just knowing he’s going to keep playing, that’s pretty awesome.”
He also spoke on how Rodgers’ approach to him as a teammate helped his development and that he is grateful that he did not take the Favre-route when it came to mentoring a young quarterback.
“I appreciate definitely the way A-Rod handled being in that situation, and I think a big part of it — which he told me — was he knew how it was for him being in that same position, and the things that he went through and the way the situation might’ve been handled [differently]. I think his perspective was, ‘I’m trying to go about this a little bit differently,’ which I think was awesome.
“In my time with A-Rod, we had a great relationship. It was awesome being in the same room with him, being able to learn. He was amazing with everything. And I definitely appreciate the way he handled everything on the outside with obviously him leaving and me taking over, and he’s been very supportive of me [since].
“It definitely helped with some of the negativity that might’ve come with that. But A-Rod handled it like a pro and did very right by me.”
Many fans and analysts paint a picture of Rodgers as a bad teammate. However, his Jets teammates, just last season, voted him as the best teammate on their roster. For years, Love has preached a gospel that Rodgers was the ultimate teammate in the three years they played together in Green Bay.
For all of his perceived faults, no one can deny the fact that Rodgers did his part in setting Love, and therefore the Packers, up for success when his tenure in Green Bay ended.
More Green Bay Packers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
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- Jordan Love Has Request for Aaron Rodgers Ahead of Steelers Matchup
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