The student becomes the master

PITTSBURGH, PENN. – After three years on the bench behind one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love finally got his chance to lead the Green Bay Packers (5-1-1) in 2023 as the starting quarterback. 

Two years later, Love and Rodgers faced off against each other at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Penn., as Love led his team to a 35-25 victory over the Rodgers-led Steelers (4-3-0), finding a win against his mentor. 

“He was super efficient. He didn’t get sacked. He moved around well. He made some plays outside the pocket. I thought he played outstanding,” said Rodger of Love’s performance on the field. 

Rodgers stated just days before the game that he intends to one day end his NFL career where it began — with the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. 

“I was there for 18 years. Regardless of when I hang it up, that’s he bulk of my career. I’ll retire a Packer,” said Rodgers this week leading up to the game. 

Though the Steelers led 19-14 at the end of the third quarter, Love and his team rallied for the comeback bringing in 21 points in the fourth quarter to seal the win on the road. 

Rodgers said that regardless of the loss, this game meant a lot to him on a personal level because of his time in Green Bay.

Although he spent 18 years with the Packers, Rodgers also admitted that the majority of the players with whom he was close have since moved on from the team. His remaining relationships are mostly with staff and people from the franchise who supported him off the field. 

“This game is about relationships. Some of my dearest friends are not players and the guys who are still over there, I didn’t have the best times with any of those guys,” said Rodgers. “I had JLove in the room with me for three years, but most of those guys are young guys, other than Rashan Gary who played with me for a few years. The guys that I spent 18 years with were the training staff, the equipment staff, the nutritionists, (pass game specialist) Connor Lewis who was there for a while, (senior assistant) Luke Getsy was there, guys I’ve spent a lot of time with. Those friendships are special and it was good to see those guys.”

During the fourth quarter when the Steelers struggled to put points on the board while simultaneously allowing the Packers to pull ahead, Packers fans could be heard loud and clear chanting three words that have been very familiar to Rodgers throughout his career… ‘Go Pack Go!’

“I’ve heard that chant for 18 years. Packers fans travel really well. First time in a while I’ve used a silent count for a home game. That’s a credit to those Packers fans,” said Rodgers with a playful smirk. 

Even though Rodgers said that from a football perspective the Steelers have a lot to clean up, he seemed proud to admit that Love had a successful night on the field and performed well. 

“He played great. He played fantastic. He’s had a really nice season. He’s been really efficient with the football. He’s opportunistic though. I felt like he was very patient tonight. He took the run solutions. He took the check downs and moved in the pocket well. I thought he did really well,” said Rodgers. 

Both teams will look to stay on top of their respective conferences as they continue into the second half of the 2025 season as the Packers lead the NFC-North and the Steelers lead the AFC-North.