By Sunday 
Just when we thought we’d finally gotten rid of the guy… he’s back.
Aaron Rodgers, the longtime Green Bay Packers villain and short-lived New York Jet, is making his return to the NFC North stage — this time in black and gold. Yes, that black and gold. The 41-year-old quarterback has officially signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and guess who they’ll be visiting in Week 16?
You guessed it: the Detroit Lions.
Old Face, New Threads
Rodgers joining the Steelers might be one of the worst-kept secrets of the offseason. After weeks (months?) of indecision and speculation, the move finally became real thanks to ESPN’s Adam Schefter dropping the news: “Aaron Rodgers plans to fly to Pittsburgh this week and participate in the Steelers mandatory minicamp next week.”
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin played it cool throughout, but it’s clear he was a major draw. “Tomlin was a drawing card for Rodgers,” Schefter added, highlighting the mutual respect that helped seal the deal.
Lions Fans Know the Drill
Lions fans don’t need a history lesson — but just in case you’re new here: Aaron Rodgers has haunted Detroit for years. Back in his Packers days, he stacked up 18 wins against the Lions and racked up a casual 54 touchdowns to just 12 picks. His passer rating against Detroit? A chilly 105.1.
Now, this December, he’ll return to Ford Field for a little pre-Christmas showdown. And while this version of Rodgers might be older, maybe a bit creakier, Lions fans know better than to underestimate him — especially in a high-stakes December game.
Different Lions. Different Era.
The thing is… these aren’t the same old Lions.
Detroit is in the middle of a renaissance. They’ve won the NFC North back-to-back. They reached the NFC Championship. They’ve got a legitimate Super Bowl window, a culture built by Dan Campbell, and stars across the board — from Amon-Ra St. Brown to Jared Goff to an ever-nasty defense.
This Week 16 clash doesn’t come with the emotional baggage of past Rodgers battles — it comes with purpose. Rodgers is just another obstacle now. Not the guy — just a guy in the way.
The Bigger Picture
The AFC North might be scratching its collective head about why Rodgers chose to join a division with Myles Garrett and Trey Hendrickson lurking. But that’s their problem.
For Detroit, it’s more about proving they’re not just the new kings of the North — they’re the grown-ups in the room. The Rodgers mystique? That’s ancient history. Now, it’s about handling business. And few things would feel better heading into the postseason than sending Rodgers home with an “L” at Ford Field.
Mark Your Calendars
December 21. Ford Field. Rodgers vs. the Lions.
It’s not quite the same rivalry — but it’s still personal.