Aaron Rodgers has always been confident, but maybe never so comfortable as he is now.
At 37, the Packers’ quarterback is as good as he ever was — in the running for his third MVP award with an NFL-leading 44 touchdown passes and 119.2 passer rating. In his 13th season as a starter, he has mastered football to a point where there’s nothing he hasn’t seen, no situation he can’t handle, no disappointment he can’t overcome. He’s having fun chiding reporters for picking against the Packers. Just in a zone. Not even Tom Brady can match the Zen state of mind Rodgers seems to exist in these days.
At this stage of his career, Rodgers is relishing every moment, proud of his accomplishments and his standing as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time but still driven to add more and win another Super Bowl ring. Sunday’s showdown with the Bears at Soldier Field is a perfect scenario for him. The Packers can clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a victory. And he loves it that the Bears are good and have even more to play for.
“I’ve always enjoyed the rivalry,” Rodgers said. “I have a love and appreciation for the history of this game and know how important this rivalry is to both fan bases. Couldn’t be any better matchup this week — with them playing for their playoff lives, us playing for the No. 1 seed — in that stadium, where we’ve had success, but it’s a tough place to play.”
His biggest regret? “It would be a lot more fun with fans there for sure,” Rodgers said. “I have an appreciation for those fans. It’s a great sports town. I’ve really enjoyed playing there over the years.”
With a rejuvenated offense under second-year coach Matt LaFleur, Rodgers embraces the bar being raised. He expects to face a better Bears defense presumably with Akiem Hicks than he did at Lambeau Field on Nov. 29, when he threw for just 211 yards but still torched the Hicks-less Bears with four touchdown passes in a 41-25 rout.
“Akiem is a difference-maker,” Rodgers said. “He’s a big body inside, who does so many things. He’s so stout against the run. It’s hard to move him. He’s such a solid player inside.
[But] it’s not just having him back. The urgency of being in position to make the playoffs changes everything. They’re already a very solid football team. And a little extra motivation of getting to play us, [it] definitely makes them more dangerous.”
We’ll see about that. When the Bears raise their level of play, Rodgers has a knack for raising his. He’s 20-4 against the Bears in games in which he started and finished. He’s 9-3 at Soldier Field, winning eight of the last nine games there.
Even at his best, Rodgers is not invulnerable or unbeatable. He forces you to be totally disciplined to have a chance — and the Bears’ defense at least has that capability. Rodgers knows what he’s up against. And he’s loving it.
“It’s always gonna be a struggle in that stadium. Everything from the grass being different to hearing their favorite son singing the national anthem so many times and the crowd just going absolutely nuts. Those tingles over the years has made that place a really special environment. And I do have a lot of respect for the organization, the fan base, their team. And I’m excited about the test this week.”
He won’t quite feel those tingles this time. But you know what he means. He’s juiced to face the Bears.
“I don’t think you need to add any extra motivation to this game,” Rodgers said. “There’s a lot at stake for both squads. We got after ‘em a few weeks ago. They’ve been playing a lot better since then. And we know what kind of game it’s gonna be.”
