PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has continued to downplay the “revenge game“ narrative surrounding their upcoming matchup against the Green Bay Packers. When I asked about it recently, he referred to his love and admiration for the organization that he spent 18 years with.
However, the Steelers quarterback might be putting on a bit of a poker face as the team gears out for their Week 8 matchup. According to former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky, Rodgers is silently being fueld by the possibility of gaining retribution against his former franchise.
“No. It’s one of the most petty and spiteful people that we’ve had coming through the NFL in two decades,” he said on ESPN’s First Take. “ This guy holds grudges and it’s been one of the reasons why he had the career that he had.”
What Orlovsky touches on here is what Steelers fans have noticed all season long. Revenge and competition are two of the biggest fuels for Rodgers’ competitive fire. He let it
slip out after the team defeated the New York Jets in their season opener. After downplaying the matchup in the days leading up to the contest (sound familiar?), he pronounced how excited he was to beat the Jets and show off his abilities.
Revenge is a dish best served cold, and Aaron Rodgers continues to order it off the menu. He might not let it show as he prepares for these matchups, but getting one over on his former franchise or teammates or coaches is a huge motivating factor for the 41-year-old Steelers quarterback.
And that’s a testament to how successful Rodgers’ NFL career has been. The four-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl winner has an express ticket to Canton, Ohio as a first-ballot enshrinee to the Pro Football Hall of Fame after he retires. You simply don’t achieve that level of success without feeding that competitive edge and taking it to a level very few others can reach. Rodgers has done that successfully over his 21 seasons in the NFL, and it’s never faded even as he plays in what could be his final year in the league.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) tosses back in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. The Bengals won, 33-31. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
While the comments from Orlovsky may sound like an indictment, it might be just as easily construed as praise. The Steelers have lacked a QB with that level of drive since their franchise legend, Ben Roethlisberger, retired. In the years since, it’s been more like a rotation of wannabe-replacements with little to offer by way of leadership or competitive advantage.
Love or hate Aaron Rodgers, that fire is helping the Steelers in 2025. His abilities have jumpstarted their offense, and his mentality and example has his offensive teammates buying in and gelling as the season progresses. It might be petty or spiteful, but the proof is in the pudding, as they say. The Steelers are 4-2 and they have the chance to make a statement win against a very solid Packers squad. The competitive fire, led by Rodgers, is the key to getting that done.
Analyst Calls Browns Key Offseason Move ‘A Massive Mistake’
Getty
Analyst reveals massive Browns mistake
The Cleveland Browns made a major move this offseason, but one analyst isn’t a fan of it.
After another disappointing season, Cleveland made a big move to re-sign star pass rusher Myles Garrett. Garrett has requested a trade, but the Browns ended up giving him a four-year, $160 million contract with over $123 million guaranteed.
Although Garrett is one of the top pass rushers in the NFL, Browns analyst Daryl Ruiter called the extension a massive mistake.
“I think the biggest mistake the Browns made was extending Myles,” Ruiter said on 92.3 The Fan. “I think that was a massive mistake on their end, I understand why they did it. You don’t want to be the organization that trades a future Hall of Famer, I get that. How competitive are you with Myles right now? You have a future Hall of Famer that’s doing record-breaking things, and you’re non-competitive. That’s why it was a bad decision for them to extend Myles. They should’ve traded him.”
As Ruiter points out, despite Garrett being dominant, the Browns still aren’t winning games, so he thought general manager Andrew Berry should have traded Garrett.
Had the Browns traded Garrett, Cleveland likely would’ve been able to acquire multiple draft picks, including first-rounders and perhaps some impact NFL players, which is why Ruiter called the extension a massive mistake.
Browns Send Message to Garrett After Outburst
During Cleveland’s blowout loss to the New England Patriots in Week 8, Garrett had another dominant game.
The star pass rusher recorded 5 sacks and a forced fumble in a dominant game. But, despite his performance, the Browns were getting blown out when Garrett slammed his helmet on the sideline in frustration.
Following the loss, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski responded to Garrett’s frustration.
“We’re all frustrated,” Stefanski said postgame. “Obviously, in those moments, we want to make sure it doesn’t get the best of us. But with that frustration comes a resolve, and I know Myles and I know him as a leader, I know the leaders in this football team will show that mental, will show that resolve.”
Garrett, meanwhile, said he was frustrated that he wasn’t on the field at that point in the game, regardless of the score.
“Frustrated,” he said. “I want to win. No matter how much time is on the clock, they got their starters in, there’s a chance we can win, I want to be a part of that. I don’t care how dire the situation looks. I want to try to make something happen, so I hate coming out in a situation, I hate that kind of inevitability. And not being able to do anything about it.”
Stefanski Hopeful Team Turns it Around
Heading into the Browns’ bye week, Stefanski said the goal is to start winning.
The head coach is also frustrated as Garrett is, but he’s confident the team can turn it around.
“I think it’s really so specific to all of us. We know we have a job to do – the fun in this business is winning, so, there’s the frustration that comes with losing a game, is very real. But how you channel that and how you, like you said, use it as fuel moving forward, I think is really important,” Stefanski concluded.
The Browns will go on the road to play the New York Jets in Week 10 after their bye.
