After pondering retirement in the offseason and posting the worst quarterback rating of his career in Week 1, questions about Aaron Rodgers‘ commitment became a talking point in some circles.
Rodgers called that narrative “(Expletive).”
Since the season opener, Rodgers, in his 17th season in the NFL, has led the Green Bay Packers to two victories, including a thrilling, game-winning drive in 37 seconds against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night.
But Rodgers continues to have strong words in postgame news conferences as well as on “The Pat McAfee Show” about those who want to discuss his desire for the game or for the team.
“Well, it’s a rough night, I guess, for some of those ‘he doesn’t care’ campers,” Rodgers said on McAfee’s show Tuesday. “I love the game, I love competing. There’s nothing like it. There’s nothing like having the ball in your hands with a chance to win the game, late in the game. That’s what we live for. That’s what we dream about. We don’t dream about kneel-downs at the end of games. We dream about … we got to go down and put the ball in position to either win it with a field goal or win it with a touchdown. That’s what we dream about.”
Rodgers said he’s always been inspired by Super Bowl XXIII in 1989, which saw Joe Montana drive the 49ers down the field 92 yards and hit John Taylor for the game-winning touchdown with 34 seconds on the clock to beat the Cincinnati Bengals.
“That’s what I wanted to do,” Rodgers said. “Drive your team down the field 92 yards and win a game.”
NFL power rankings after Week 3: Rams take over No. 1 spot after beating Buccaneers
Sunday Showdown: Tom Brady returns to New England looking better than Bill Belichick since breakup
On Sunday, with the Packers trailing for the first time, 28-27, after the 49ers scored a touchdown with 37 seconds left, Rodgers led his own memorable drive.
The Packers had no timeouts, but Rodgers drove his team 42 yards on two pass plays — both to Davante Adams (25 yards and 17 yards) to set up the game-winning, 51-yard field goal from Mason Crosby.
“I was a San Fran fan my entire young life, so it always is a special place for me to come back to northern California, but I don’t need any extra motivation or inspiration,” Rodgers said when asked about playing his hometown team on the road.
“It was a measuring stick for our football team, I think to see how we matched up against another really good football team and I’m proud of our guys.”
Contact Christopher Kuhagen at (262) 446-6634 or christopher.kuhagen@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ckuhagen.
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has message for those saying he doesn’t care
Read more: https://sports.yahoo.com/aaron-rodgers-packers-win-vs-020722156.html?src=rss
