Aaron Rodgers, a four‑time NFL MVP, has made it clear that he views the preseason as nothing more than a warm‑up exercise, calling it "not real football" and confirming he will sit out the Green Bay Packers' opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In a recent interview, Rodgers explained that modern preseason playbooks have become repetitive and that the drills often lack strategic depth, making the games feel stale and uninspired to him.
He also pointed to the evolving nature of joint practices, describing them as increasingly chaotic environments where fights break out, further diminishing any perceived value of the exhibition schedule.
Coaching philosophies diverge
While some coaches, such as Sean McVay, have voiced opposition to putting starters on the field in preseason games, others, including Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, take a different stance.
LaFleur announced that most of his starting lineup, featuring quarterback Jordan Love, will see action in the preseason opener, aiming to give the team’s younger players a taste of regular‑season intensity.
Rodgers, who skipped the preseason entirely last year, prefers to remain on the sidelines, offering calm, often humorous guidance to help manage the roster’s energy and to mentor the influx of rookies and younger talent.
The quarterback emphasized that the preseason’s primary purpose is to provide rookie players with their first NFL game experience, a milestone that veterans like himself no longer find impactful.