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Top Aaron Rodgers matchups we’re looking forward to in 2025

Last week, the inevitable happened: the Pittsburgh Steelers picked up quarterback Aaron Rodgers on a one-year deal worth up to $19.5 million. Pittsburgh was likely Rodgers’ final option with all teams (relatively) set at the position, while Rodgers was the last choice for the Steelers after they (per reports) failed to trade for Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford or re-sign Justin Fields.

With the 41-year-old Super Bowl-winning QB set to play his 21st NFL season, the hope from many is that he stays healthy enough for one (maybe more?) final strong run. With that in mind, below are the top matchups we’re looking forward to seeing Rodgers compete in this season:

Bonus: Aaron Rodgers vs. Kansas City Chiefs (a.k.a. Rodgers vs. Patrick Mahomes): We’ve been promised a Rodgers-Mahomes matchup several times over the years, but each time an injury has derailed the dream match. Unfortunately, the Chiefs are not on Pittsburgh’s 2025 schedule, but we want them to be. If the stars align just right, Pittsburgh and K.C. could meet in the postseason. It would mark the fourth time the two teams have played each other in the playoffs, but, more importantly, it would finally bring us the game we’ve always wanted. So, fingers crossed.

No. 5: Rodgers at Detroit Lions, Dec. 21 (Week 16): Remember the last time Rodgers played Detroit, his former division rival? The Lions shocked many of us by knocking Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers out of the playoff race — that was the moment we realized the Dan Campbell-led Lions were actually, you know, good. This season, Rodgers has a chance to avenge that loss in a game that could have playoff implications for both squads.

No. 4: Rodgers at Cincinnati Bengals, TNF, Oct. 16 (Week 7): Rodgers vs. Joe Burrow on Thursday night? Sign us up. These two last faced off in 2021, in which Rodgers and the Pack won 25-22 in an overtime banger. Now a divisional showdown, this has potential to be a good one on a night when games are usually hit or miss.

No. 3: Rodgers at Baltimore Ravens, Dec. 7 (Week 14): Did you know Rodgers and Lamar Jackson have never faced each other? Well, that’ll change in 2025 (barring injury), when it’s set to happen twice. Their first bout will occur late in the season in what could have major AFC North implications. This is a noon game but carries serious flex potential.

No. 2: Rodgers at New York Jets, Sept. 7 (Week 1): This one is great not just because the Jets are Rodgers’ former team, but also because it features Justin Fields vs. his former team. This game gives Rodgers a chance to stick it to New York after the team left Rodgers feeling disrespected after a team meeting during the offseason.

No. 1: Rodgers vs. Green Bay Packers, SNF, Oct. 26 (Week 8): This is a big one, and the NFL knew it would be, hence why it’s on a Sunday night. Rodgers gets a rare chance to face his old team with which he spent a whopping 18 seasons. Not only that, but he has a chance to do something only four quarterbacks have done: beat all 32 NFL teams.

Jets and Steelers switched QBs in Rodgers and Fields this offseason, and numbers quietly point to who may have come out on top

Aaron Rodgers and Justin Fields have decided their futures

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Packers cut Jaire Alexander: Best landing spots for the All-Pro CB

The Packers spent the offseason attempting to trade cornerback Jaire Alexander. The seven-year vet has missed 34 of his last 68 games and was due $17.5 million in 2025, hence why the Pack felt it was time to move on. After failing to find a suitable trade partner, Green Bay ended up releasing Alexander on Monday.

Alexander remains one of the more talented CBs in the league despite his injury history. If he can stay healthy, he’d make a great pickup for a team in 2025. Below are a few likely options for Alexander, per A to Z’s Wendell Ferreira:

Any NFC North team: “Packers fans know very well how it works. You are released from Green Bay, you go to a divisional rival. Be it because the teams are familiar with the players, because they want to face them twice a year (how many times have you heard it?), or any other reason. And there's real motivation here, especially for the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. Both teams have the cap space to make a move like that and would benefit from adding a high-ceiling cornerback.”

Baltimore Ravens: “The Ravens are the ultimate team to add distressed assets. Right now, Chidobe Awuzie is projected to start, so there's clear room for improvement there. This would make a lot of sense because Baltimore has the depth to be protected in case Alexander gets hurt, but the former All-Pro player would make that defense much better when healthy.”

Philadelphia Eagles: “Talking about a team that loves distressed assets, Howie Roseman enters the chat. The Eagles are planning to use Cooper DeJean more at safety, so it increases the urgency to sign a player like Jaire.”

Buffalo Bills: “The Bills have a problem, because they barely have any cap space to make this type of move. But if they can find ways to create enough room to do it and to operate throughout the season, it'd be a huge addition. After allowing Rasul Douglas to walk in free agency, it would be intriguing to add another former Packer.”

Atlanta Falcons: “Mike Hughes is a starting cornerback for the Falcons right now. Even Kevin King has a roster spot there. The need is evident. The problem, just like the Bills, is that the cap situation is not that comfortable.”

10 landing spots for Jaire Alexander after the Packers finally released the former All-Pro cornerback

Cornerback will be a free agent for the first time in his NFL career

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