For the first time in NFL history, a Super Bowl-winning quarterback and head coach duo will face their old franchise together. Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy won a title in Green Bay, and Thursday night at Acrisure Stadium they'll line up across from the Packers — with Jordan Love, the man who replaced Rodgers under center, expected to play. The storylines are unprecedented, the stakes are low, and the line is razor-thin: Green Bay opens as a 1.5-point favorite with the total at 39.5.
Jordan Love Is Playing
Matt LaFleur confirmed the plan on Tuesday: Love will start the preseason opener against Pittsburgh, though the coach reserved the right to change his mind. Love has started the Packers' preseason opener every year since taking over in 2023, and the Packers are one of the teams that believes in giving starters live reps — LaFleur cited studies showing teams that use players in the preseason tend to have fewer regular-season injuries.
The caveat is the offensive line. LaFleur said he would not put Love out there if the protection wasn't mostly intact, and Green Bay is banged up up front, so check the final injury reports. The receiving corps is getting healthier in time: Matthew Golden (toe) and Jayden Reed (ankle) both returned to practice this week. Behind Love, Tyrod Taylor is the backup, with Kyle McCord and undrafted rookie Kyron Drones looking to win roster spots.
Rodgers: Willing, But Not Eager
Rodgers has called preseason games "not real football" and has not taken a preseason snap since 2023, so don't expect a long cameo. McCarthy has split the Steelers into three groups — one that plays a series or two, one that finishes the first half, and one that plays the second half — and has not ruled out giving his 42-year-old quarterback a few reps.
The quarterback room behind Rodgers is the real story. Mason Rudolph is the No. 2, while Will Howard and this year's third-round pick Drew Allar are auditioning for the future. Allar, the Penn State standout, is the long-term name to watch. The right side of the offensive line, the secondary and the linebacker rotation are all unsettled, giving Thursday real evaluation value for Pittsburgh even if the scoreboard doesn't matter.
The Line and Market Signals
DraftKings lists the Packers at -1.5 (-125 moneyline) with the Steelers at +105 and a total of 39.5. Notably, this line has moved — Pittsburgh opened as the favorite at -1.5 earlier in the week before LaFleur confirmed Love would play. The market flipping to Green Bay tells you everything about how much weight the bookmakers put on the starting quarterbacks. If Rodgers sits, the Packers' advantage at the most important position is overwhelming.
The Pick: Packers 20-17
Love getting real reps against a Steelers defense that will be rotating liberally gives Green Bay the edge, and the historical backdrop only adds to the intrigue. McCarthy historically didn't play Dak Prescott a single preseason snap in Dallas, so the odds of a lengthy Rodgers appearance feel slim. The Packers' starter-driven approach should be enough to cover a 1.5-point spread, with the under on 39.5 the lean in what figures to be a controlled, evaluation-heavy game. Final projection: Packers 20-17.
Cole Donovan
Cole Donovan writes practical sports coverage with a focus on team form, game context, and the small details that can shape each matchup.