Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers knows the art of subtle trolling. During 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, he played many do-or-die games against rival Detroit Lions which are nothing less than a classic. These games have often time dragged out the cheeky and sarcastic side of both players and fans. The current baton of words is in A-Rod’s hand, who did not miss out on a chance to rub salt on the 2015 wounds of the Lions enthusiasts.

When asked about his favorite Dan “Big Cat” Katz memory on the Pardon My Take podcast, Aaron Rodgers referenced the 2015 game with a smirk on his face. For those who might need a prompt to understand this, let us jog down the memory lane. On December 3, 2015, when TE Richard Rodgers II made a Hail Mary Pass for 61 yards. Rodgers caught the throw with 0:00 seconds left because of which the Packers defeated the Lions by 27-23.

A play so extraordinary that the commentators named it “The Miracle in Motown.” The Motor City kept it in its heart and avenged its defeat 8 years later. Katz revealed that he was there with Detroit Don and Superfan, who have not missed a Lions home game in the last 19 seasons. Don told Katz that they had an 80% chance of qualifying for the playoffs if they won this game. But A-Rod’s catch sent a shockwave to Lions Nation.

However, fast forward to January 8, 2023, the Lions avenged the loss! Green Bay Packers fought it out against the Lions in a knockout game. The Packers lost by 16-20 which ended their Super Bowl hopes. What followed was a brutal roast of the QB by the social media team of Lions which posted “We kept the receipts.” But a year later, with a sly smile, the veteran used a podcast to troll the Lions back.

The 2023 game must have given the 2015 shock to Cheeseheads, a classic tit-for-tat. Rodgers’ expressions on the Pardon My Take podcast indicated that instead of being angry about the trolling, he was amused at defeating the rivals. A few things to note from the 2015 to the 2023 face-off include A-Rod’s age. He was no longer the young player at his peak.

Eventually, the Packers traded him to the New York Jets in 2023. In his first game for the Jets, he injured his left ankle and was later ruled out of the season due to an Achilles Tendon rupture. This off-season has brought unwanted attention to 4x NFL MVP who missed the minicamp due to his Egypt vacation. Let’s explore what he is doing before the coming season.

Aaron Rodgers, Robert Saleh, and the Jets drama that unfolded in the offseason

Terming it ‘unexcused’, HC Robert Saleh commented on Rodgers skipping the mandatory minicamp. Meanwhile, calling his presence vital for the team, Jermaine Johnson supported the QB’s decision to skip the minicamp on The Insiders podcast and said, “We didn’t care, he had stuff he had to handle. It doesn’t really make much sense to sit there and scrutinize a guy that’s been at all the things he doesn’t have to”.

However, Rodgers isn’t one to shy away from confrontations and that is exactly what the quarterback did regarding his ‘unexcused’ absence. According to The Athletic’s Diana Russini, the QB confronted the HC and later, the two settled their differences. Despite the rollercoaster of an off-season, the Jets being led by the 1x Super Bowl Champ will aim to conquer a trophy and get over their SB drought.

Recently, an NFL journalist, Dov Kleiman shared a video on his Twitter account. In the clip, a crying fan desperately said, “I just want a Super Bowl, Aaron. Please!” To this, the QB did not hesitate in commenting, “We will get a Super Bowl.”  Keeping off-field activities aside, the QB would be preparing for a good season. He ranked 8th on ESPN’s list of Top QBs of the 2024 season. Gang Green would be hoping for their star to shine and win the Lombardi Trophy.