The student outdueled the teacher on Sunday Night Football when the Green Bay Packers beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 35–25.
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers once played 18 seasons for the Packers, and he spent three of those seasons helping current Packers quarterback Jordan Love develop. Before Love, Rodgers learned from former Packers quarterback Brett Favre for three seasons before taking over as the starter in 2008.
“It was good to see a lot of people that I grew up with in the league,” Rodgers told reporters on Sunday. “Three hours before the game, I was out there spending time with some of those guys, and I enjoyed that. This game is about relationships, and some of my dearest friends are not players.”
Rodgers didn’t get the desired result on the field, though he went 24-36 for 219 yards and two touchdowns. Love played masterfully as he went 29-37 for 360 yards and three touchdowns.
“I thought J-Love played great,” Rodgers said. “He was super efficient. He didn’t get sacked, moved around really well, and made some plays outside the pocket. Thought he played outstanding.”
Green Bay drafted Love in 2020 with the No. 26 pick, and Rodgers eventually left Green Bay via a trade with the New York Jets in 2023. After two seasons with the Jets, Rodgers signed with the Steelers this year in what could be his final season. He intends to officially retire as a member of the Packers.
“Being behind A-Rod for three years and being able to see him and the high-level play he was capable of going out there and doing, and being able to put the ball on the money at all times, was very cool for me to be able to see,” Love told reporters afterward.
“I knew coming in this week it would be a very hyped-up game and talked-about game for A-Rod playing against the Packers for the first time, and obviously, us going up against each other. … My mindset was just trying to come out here and focus on getting that win.”
Love did just that in the second half after his team trailed 16–7 at the break. He led the Packers to scores on the first five possessions to build a 35–19 lead in the second.
Rodgers then led the Steelers downfield 70 yards in nine plays and capped the drive with a 21-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Roman Wilson, 35–25. Rodgers couldn’t get the two-point conversion to work, and the Packers ran out the clock on the next possession.
Packers fans chanting “Go Pack Go” rang throughout Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium during the fourth quarter. It marked the Packers’ first win at Pittsburgh since 1970.
“I’d heard that chant for 18 years,” Rodgers said. “Packer fans travel really well. First time in a while I’ve used silent count for a home game. That’s a credit to those Packer fans.”
Love had plenty of help from tight end Tucker Kraft, who put in a career night and the top performance for National Tight Ends Day. Kraft had seven receptions for 143 yards and two touchdowns. That included a 59-yard pass play where Kraft rumbled downfield to spark the comeback in the third quarter.
“He was on fire,” Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur told reporters regarding Love. “That’s why we kept wanting to throw the football.”
LaFleur saw the whole process unfold for Love, from draft day and learning under Rodgers to becoming a star quarterback in the league. Love has led the Packers to two playoff appearances and has made one Pro Bowl as an alternate.
“It’s great for Jordan,” LaFleur said. “Jordan’s worked his (butt) off to get here. He was patient throughout the process, throughout the journey, and he took advantage of the opportunity, he really did.”
