If 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers has shown any sign of slowing down, or regressing, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur hasn’t seen it in his preparations for Sunday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
LaFleur, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, and the Packers will need to limit Rodgers’ big-play ability in the passing game and create chaos in the pocket around him if Green Bay is going to fly home with a fifth victory in tow.
Packers’ Matt LaFleur remains impressed by Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur talks with quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) in between quarters against the Chicago Bears during their football game Sunday, September 18, 2022, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
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Rodgers has made no secret his desire to get revenge on his former team, ahead of the Packers vs. Steelers showdown, and he has been a driving force behind Pittsburgh’s run to the top of the division standings.
The former Packers MVP-winning quarterback has passed for 1,270 yards with 14 touchdowns to just five interceptions, looking markedly improved over the version of himself that emerged from a disappointing tenure with the New York Jets.
“He looks like he can still do anything,” LaFLeur told reporters this week. “It’s surprising for such an old man he is still moving around pretty good, too.”
Creating pressure on Rodgers, and getting him moving–if not forced into mistakes might be most important for the Packers. However, LaFleur cautions his team against taking Rodgers likely, despite his age and that he’s well into the twilight of his career.
“It’s really, really, really difficult,” LaFleur said. “The best way to beat a quarterback is to get him on his back. I tell our guys all the time, it’s hard to throw when you’re on your back. So, our pass rush is going to have to be on point, we are going to have to do some things in our coverages and sometimes, you’ve got to hit in terms of what you’re calling vs. what they’re calling.”
In a game where pressure could be the deciding factor, Micah Parsons may prove to be LaFleur and Hafley’s trump card in a game that carries significant weight for both teams.
Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 27-13.
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