It’s been nearly three years since Aaron Rodgers last squared off against the Detroit Lions, but don’t think for a second he’s forgotten what happened the last time he saw Aidan Hutchinson across the line of scrimmage.
Back in 2022, when Hutchinson was still a rookie, the Lions swept the season series against Rodgers and the Packers. In those two matchups, Hutchinson made his presence felt in a big way-recording two sacks and even snatching a red zone interception in Rodgers’ final game at Ford Field as a Packer. That pick, Hutchinson’s first career interception, was a defining moment in a game that helped signal a turning point for Detroit’s defense and a changing of the guard in the NFC North.
Fast forward to now, and Rodgers-now quarterbacking the Pittsburgh Steelers-is still giving Hutchinson his flowers.
“He’s a game wrecker,” Rodgers said this week. “He’s a fantastic player.
He’s making his way down the path of being a generational-type player. You know, he’s had a great career.”
That’s high praise coming from a four-time MVP, and Rodgers didn’t stop there. He broke down what makes Hutchinson so tough to deal with: “He’s anything but a one-trick pony.
He’s got all the moves-pass rush, great spin move, cobra strike, speed to power. He’s a talented guy.
He’s one of the few guys in the league you really got to know where he’s at on every play.”
Rodgers, now in his first season in Pittsburgh, is putting together a solid campaign by the numbers. He’s thrown for 2,594 yards with 22 touchdowns to just seven picks.
His completion rate (66.8%) and passer rating (98.8) are both better than what he posted during his brief stint with the Jets. But the advanced metrics tell a slightly different story-Pro Football Focus has him graded at 65.7, which ranks 32nd among qualified quarterbacks.
That’s a stark contrast to the usual standard we’ve come to expect from Rodgers.
Still, he’s doing enough to keep the Steelers in the mix. They’re 8-5 in his starts and currently sitting atop the AFC North.
A win this weekend would mark Pittsburgh’s 22nd straight season without a losing record-an incredible streak of consistency. And while Rodgers has never lost to Jared Goff, the Lions haven’t beaten the Steelers since 2018.
Their last meeting? A 16-16 tie in 2021.
Safe to say, there’s some unfinished business here.
As for Hutchinson, he’s embracing the challenge of facing Rodgers again-and maybe even hoping for a little déjà vu.
“I’d love if he threw me another (interception). That’d be great,” Hutchinson said with a grin.
“No, he’s a competitor, and he’s been doing it at a high level for a long time, so we all have a ton of respect for him. He’s a focus this week, for sure.”
Hutchinson also touched on the challenge of going up against a quarterback with a quick release like Rodgers, drawing a comparison to Matthew Stafford, who the Lions just faced.
“Don’t get frustrated. Keep rushing, and eventually, you’ll get home,” he said. That’s the mindset Detroit’s defensive front will need to bring into Sunday’s clash.
The Steelers haven’t exactly been lighting it up on the ground-they rank in the bottom five in rushing yards per game at just 92.5. That puts more pressure on Rodgers to carry the offense through the air, especially against a Lions defense that’s been up and down this season.
Detroit is 3-5 when facing teams in the bottom half of the league in rushing, but they’re 2-0 against the true cellar-dwellers. That’s a trend they’ll hope to continue.
If Hutchinson and the Lions’ pass rush can get to Rodgers early and often, they’ll have a real shot at disrupting the Steelers’ rhythm and protecting a secondary that’s been hit hard by injuries. And with Detroit’s playoff hopes hanging in the balance, this isn’t just another game-it’s a statement opportunity.
Rodgers vs. Hutchinson, Round 3. This one’s got all the makings of a heavyweight rematch.