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Aaron Rodgers' final NFL campaign might kick off with an unexpected twist: a preseason revenge tour. The 42-year-old signal-caller, who typically avoids preseason action, could see the field for the Steelers' first two exhibition games, according to coach Mike McCarthy. Those matchups happen to pit Pittsburgh against the Green Bay Packers on Aug. 13 and the New York Jets on Aug. 21, two franchises intimately tied to Rodgers' storied career.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, Rodgers expressed reluctance about preseason play but indicated he would comply with McCarthy's wishes. 'He wants me out there for 30 or 40 plays,' Rodgers said. 'I said, Mike, if you want me to play, I'll play. I'm not saying I want to do it. But if he wants me to, I will.'
The potential appearances would inject significant intrigue into what are typically low-stakes games. The Packers matchup holds extra significance as McCarthy returns to face his former team, where he spent 13 seasons before being dismissed in 2018. Together, Rodgers and McCarthy guided Green Bay to a Super Bowl victory over the Steelers in 2010.
Key Analysis
McCarthy's desire to play Rodgers stems from a need to acclimate the quarterback to a revamped offensive system. Since their time together in Green Bay, McCarthy has altered terminology during his stint in Dallas, creating a learning curve for Rodgers. Over the weekend, McCarthy called a play named 'Snag Bo,' which Rodgers didn't recognize until later. 'It's one of my favorite plays going back to my rookie year -- basically a sit route and a corner route -- that we always called Arrow,' Rodgers explained. 'I guess he calls it Snag now. I've had to adjust a bit and be uncomfortable with some uncomfortable words.'
Preseason reps would help iron out such confusion before Week 1, a priority for McCarthy. Rodgers hasn't seen extensive preseason action since 2018, his final year with the Packers, having played only two offensive series in 2023 with the Jets. However, critics may question the wisdom of exposing a 42-year-old quarterback to unnecessary risk. Injuries can happen anytime, as seen with Joe Burrow's preseason hits last year or Mark Sanchez's ACL tear in 2013. Additionally, the Steelers have a competitive backup quarterback battle featuring Drew Allar, Mason Rudolph, and Will Howard, who could benefit from more snaps. Despite these concerns, McCarthy appears willing to take the gamble for the sake of regular-season readiness. With Rodgers' farewell tour underway, facing his former teams in the preseason would be a fitting start.
Originally reported by cbssports.