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For the first time since 2022, Aaron Rodgers will visit Chicago, but just like the old days, he will once again be the most hated man in the building.
The 41-year-old, of course, was the Bears’ archrival as the Green Bay Packers’ starting quarterback for 15 seasons, posting a 25-5 record against them, including the playoffs.
In 2021, Rodgers famously claimed that he “still owns[ed]Bears, which certainly cannot be argued. But now as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, he’s ready to put the rivalry behind him.
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers celebrates his rushing touchdown during the fourth quarter of the Green Bay Packers’ 24-14 victory at Soldier Field in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021. (Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA Today Network)
“I’d rather not be [the villain]. I’m not in Green Bay anymore. I feel like we can let bygones be bygones. Perhaps. I guess I can,” Rodgers told reporters Wednesday. “It’s a great rivalry. I mean, in every sports story you talk about [Los Angeles] Lakers and [Boston] Celtics and [Boston] Red Sox and the [New York] Yankees. You have to talk about the Packers and the Bears. And there have been some good memories there.”
But Rodgers took one more dig.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers scores a rushing touchdown during the fourth quarter of the Green Bay Packers’ 24-14 victory at Soldier Field in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021. (Mike De Sisti/USA Today Sports)
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“When I first came to Green Bay, the Bears had the all-time lead. When I left, the Packers did,” he said. “Since [Jordan Love] has taken over, it has even improved.
“But I hope those fans can put it behind them. I’m sure they can’t. Don’t expect them to. But I really enjoy the city. They have great sports.”
In his 29 regular season games against Chicago, Rodgers has thrown for 6,965 yards, 64 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 109.0 passer rating. In his lone playoff game against his former NFC North rival — the NFC Championship before their Super Bowl XLV win — Rodgers threw for 244 yards and rushed for a touchdown in a 21-14 victory.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers runs with the ball in the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. (Dennis Wierzbicki/USA Today Sports)
Rodgers hasn’t lost to the Bears since Dec. 16, 2018, a 24-17 Bears win in Chicago. The Steelers and Bears kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
