The Packers already won the Aaron Rodgers breakup; they don't have anything to prove vs. Steelers

It would be natural for Jordan Love and Matt LaFleur to want to prove something against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they have to avoid that temptation.

On Monday, Matt LaFleur interrupted the end of a reporter’s question to point out, “We’re playing the Pittsburgh Steelers, who happen to have Aaron Rodgers. It’s as simple as that.” In other words, the Green Bay Packers aren’t “playing Aaron Rodgers.” It’s classic coach speak, but LaFleur’s tone relayed more than cliche.

“That’s for you guys to talk about … We had a lot of great moments, but this game is not about that. 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 vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it’s for you guys to talk about all those other storylines.”

LaFleur rightly pointed out that most of the 2025 Packers have never even played with Rodgers. Jordan Love, Elgton Jenkins, and Rashan Gary are the only players who played with Rodgers for more than just the 2022 season, while the vast majority of overlap comes from the 2022 rookie class.

But Love is the most important player on the team. It would be natural for him to feel like he has something to prove. Rodgers certainly felt that way every time he faced Brett Favre, and Favre worked the Packers that first season in Minnesota. Love does not appear to carry slights and grudges like Rodgers, though in fairness, few do.

Still, a portion of the fanbase remains loyal to Rodgers, resenting Love for not being Tee Higgins or a player to help late-career Rodgers win a Super Bowl. They defend Rodgers online like he’s a member of their family, taking little shots at Love merely because he’s not Rodgers.