Aaron Rodgers 'Bummed' Packers vs. Steelers Won't Be at Lambeau Field for NFL Preseason Game

Aaron Rodgers was hoping to get one last visit to Green Bay during the preseason ahead of his retirement.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Packers on Thursday, but the game is at home, meaning Rodgers won't get the chance to say goodbye to the first NFL stadium he called home. The veteran acknowledged that he was "bummed" he wouldn't get that chance.

"I was really hoping this one was going to be in Green Bay, not just to get back at Lambeau one more time, but to head out to Chives for a dinner and maybe head out to Green Bay Country Club for a quick nine or something," Rodgers told reporters on Wednesday. "I was really hoping it was going to be in Green Bay, for a lot of reasons."

Rodgers was drafted by Green Bay in 2005 and spent the prime of his career with the Packers, winning four MVPs, a Super Bowl and a Super Bowl MVP with the team.

He left ahead of the 2023 campaign to join the New York Jets, and he's since found his way to Pittsburgh. He plans to retire after the 2026 season.

The Steelers and Packers won't play each other during the regular season, so Rodgers won't be taking a trip to Lambeau Field this year, at least not as a player.

"It would have been strange, being in that locker room and stuff," Rodgers said. "But I would have found my way over, like many former players have over the years, found my way over to Flea's (Packers head athletic trainer Bryan Engel's) office and hang out back there and see some of the guys and see some of the trainers and equipment staff and all the people I really care about that still work there.

"Yeah, I was definitely bummed out that we weren't in Lambeau for this one."

Rodgers said last year that he'd be open to signing a ceremonial one-day contract with the Packers so he could retire with the team that drafted him. Perhaps that could be the way for him to gain some closure with his former team before hanging it up.

In the meantime, Rodgers is looking to end his career strong. The 42-year-old had a solid season last year and will look to lead the Steelers to the playoffs in Mike McCarthy's first season as head coach.

Rodgers likely won't play in much of Pittsburgh's preseason games, but the Steelers kick off the regular season against the Atlanta Falcons in just over a month.