The longevity of Aaron Rodgers‘ career has created some wild bookending experiences, with another coming this weekend when the Pittsburgh Steelers square off against quarterback Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns.
Rodgers spoke with media members on Friday, December 26 and recalled playing against Deion Sanders, one of the league’s all-time great cornerbacks and Shedeur Sanders’ father.
“I didn’t throw him a pick thankfully,” Rodgers said of the elder Sanders.
Rodgers then went on to discuss the Browns QB, saying he paid attention to Sanders’ time with the Colorado Buffaloes. Rodgers then drew a comparison between himself and Sanders, as both dropped rather unexpectedly in their respective NFL drafts.
“I’ve followed Shedeur’s career,” Rodgers said Friday, December 26. “I was pulling for him. It was tough draft slide. Obviously much longer wait than mine was. But it seems like he’s been patient and worked on his craft, and he’s been playing pretty good the last few weeks.”
Browns, Sanders Can Put Playoff Hopes of Steelers, Rodgers in Jeopardy With Win
GettyQuarterback Aaron Rodgers of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Sanders will start his sixth professional game on Sunday in Cleveland, as the Browns host the Steelers. He is 1-4 as the starter in his rookie campaign and has thrown for 1,103 yards, six TDs and eight INTs (55.1 percent completion rate). Sanders has also rushed for 123 yards and a score on 8.8 yards per carry.
The Browns have the opportunity to play the role of spoiler in Week 17, as the Steelers are in a commanding position to win the AFC North but remain in potential danger of losing the division crown in 2025 and missing the playoffs if they drop their last two contests.
The Baltimore Ravens travel to Lambeau Field on Saturday to take on the Green Bay Packers in what will likely be a battle of backup QBs, Tyler Huntley vs. Malik Willis, as Lamar Jackson is doubtful for the game with a back injury and Jordan Love is out with a concussion.
Pittsburgh won’t have wide receiver DK Metcalf in Weeks 17 or 18, after the league suspended him for two games due to a physical altercation with a Detroit Lions fan at Ford Field last Sunday.
The Browns were just three-point home underdogs as of Friday night, per DraftKings Sportsbook.
Myles Garrett Hunting NFL Single-Season Sack Record Against Aaron Rodgers
GettyPass-rusher Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns.
Another sub-plot to Sunday’s game is Myles Garrett’s pursuit of the league’s single-season sack record against the Steelers’ “legendary” 42-year-old QB.
Garrett has recorded 22 sacks through 15 games, while Steelers defensive end T.J. Watt and retired edge-rusher Michael Strahan share the record with 22.5 sacks.
“[Rodgers is] legendary himself, and it’s a legendary record I’m here chasing,” Garrett said during a press conference on Friday. “That’d be a great one to put a picture on the wall with.”
Garrett has tallied five sacks against the Steelers in Cleveland over the Browns’ last two home games against their division rival.
Garrett can spoil Pittsburgh’s weekend trip to Northeast Ohio for the third consecutive year by getting to Rodgers at least once, breaking a prestigious NFL record in the process and potentially putting the Steelers’ playoff hopes in jeopardy heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Ravens.
Aaron Rodgers Makes Eye-Opening Shedeur Sanders Comparison