PITTSBURGH — The final whistle at Acrisure Stadium had barely sounded when Aaron Rodgers did the unthinkable.
Fresh off a 35–25 Sunday Night Football defeat to his former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback stood at the podium — purple bruises under his eyes, jersey torn — and delivered a love letter to Green Bay.
“That team? They’re built to win it all. Jordan Love’s a superstar. Kraft’s a monster. LaFleur’s scheming like a genius. I’m not shocked — I’m proud.”
The quote hit X like a Rashan Gary strip-sack.
Within minutes, #RodgersStillAPacker trended nationwide — 180K posts, half of them from furious Steelers fans.
The Soundbite That Broke Pittsburgh
Rodgers didn’t stop there.
On Pat McAfee’s show Monday morning, he doubled down:
“I watched Love throw that 59-yarder to Kraft — I smiled. That’s my offense. That’s our culture. Green Bay’s not rebuilding. They’re reloading. And honestly? They’re better than when I left.”
He even praised Matt LaFleur — the coach who replaced him in 2019:
“Matt’s grown into one of the best play-callers in football. He’s got that Shanahan tree DNA, but he’s added his own flavor. They’re dangerous.”
Steelers Nation Melts Down
The reaction in Pittsburgh was nuclear.
- @SteelersDiehard: “Rodgers just praised the team that EMBARRASSED us. Fire him into the sun.”
- @Yinzer4Life: “He’s wearing black and gold but his heart’s in Lambeau. Trade him for a 7th.”
- @BigBenRetired: “I bled for this city. Rodgers bleeds cheese curds.”
One viral meme showed Rodgers in a Packers jersey photoshopped over his Steelers uniform, captioned: “When you realize he never left.”
Even T.J. Watt — who had zero sacks on Love — was asked postgame:
Reporter: “Aaron seemed proud of Green Bay…” Watt: long pause “He should be proud of us trying to stop them.”
Inside the Steelers Locker Room
Sources say Mike Tomlin addressed the team Monday:
“Aaron’s a competitor. He respects greatness. But this is our house. Next time, we finish.”
George Pickens, who had 3 catches for 41 yards, was seen watching Packers highlights on his phone — then slamming it shut when teammates walked by.
Packers Nation? Eating It Up
In Green Bay, the love was reciprocal.
- Jordan Love (@JLoveEra): “Appreciate you, 12. You paved the way. Now we carry the torch 🔥”
- Tucker Kraft posted a video of Rodgers’ praise with the caption: “Legend recognizes legend.”
- Matt LaFleur, smirking: “Aaron’s always been a good talent evaluator.”
The Stats Don’t Lie
The 35–25 final wasn’t close:
| Stat | Packers | Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 487 | 312 |
| Passing Yards | 360 (Love) | 219 (Rodgers) |
| Rushing Yards | 127 | 93 |
| 3rd Down | 8/12 | 4/11 |
| Time of Possession | 34:12 | 25:48 |
Love: 29/37, 3 TD, 20 straight completions (franchise record tie). Rodgers: 24/36, 2 TD, 2 sacks, 1 lost fumble.
The Bigger Picture
This wasn’t just a loss. It was a passing of the torch — on national TV.
Rodgers, 41, is 6–1 against his former team all-time… but 0–1 in a Steelers uniform.
Green Bay (5–1–1) now sits atop the NFC North. Pittsburgh (4–3) has lost two straight and faces a brutal stretch: @ Bengals, vs. Ravens, @ Browns.
Final Word from A-Rod
Before boarding the team bus, Rodgers was asked if he’d ever wear a Packers jersey again.
He smiled:
“Only if it’s in Canton. But tonight? I’m proud to have been part of that legacy. And prouder still to see it thriving.”
Steelers fans booed as the bus pulled away.
Packers fans? They honked horns all the way to Lambeau.
