Aaron Rodgers excited to face Matthew Stafford after thinking their battles were over

Aaron Rodgers called Matthew Stafford one of his “all-time favorite competitors to go against” ahead of Sunday’s showdown

Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers both spent most of their careers in the NFC North, so they dueled quite a few times as division rivals. Rodgers and the Packers got the better of Stafford’s Lions in most of those matchups, but all that matters is the next one.

On Sunday afternoon, Stafford and the Rams will visit the Jets at MetLife Stadium where Rodgers will try to play spoiler with New York’s season lost.

It’s the first time Rodgers and Stafford will square off since November of 2021 when the Packers edged out the Rams, 36-28, at Lambeau Field. Rodgers is looking forward to facing his old rival once again, even if the Jets have nothing to play for as the Rams do.

“Yeah, it’s fun. Matt’s one of my all-time favorite competitors to go against,” Rodgers said on the “Pat McAfee Show” Tuesday. “A lot of fun battles over the years. A lot of respect for him. Plays the game in a way that I totally respect. He’s as tough as they come. He’s savvy, he’s smart, he’s gritty, he’s competitive. I’ve always been a big Matt Stafford fan, so excited to see him.”

Although 2021 was the last time Rodgers and Stafford played against each other, Rodgers did face the Rams in 2022. Except, Stafford missed that game due to a neck injury.

Rodgers said he and Stafford thought they might never meet on the field again after that 2022 game, so they’re both likely thrilled to get at least one more matchup on Sunday afternoon.

“We played him a couple of years ago I think in ’22, and he was banged up,” Rodgers said. “He had a neck thing or something, and we were thinking, ‘Shoot, this might be it.’ So it’s good to have one more chance to compete against him if this is it. It’s been a great time competing over the years. We had so many great battles. We get him at 10 o’clock their body time, but I know Sean (McVay) will have those boys ready and they’ve got a lot to play for and hopefully we can play a little spoiler.”

Over the course of their careers, Rodgers has won 13 of 17 games against Stafford, throwing 35 touchdown passes and three interceptions in those matchups. Stafford has 27 touchdown passes and 17 picks, so Rodgers has certainly gotten the better of him.

The futures of Rodgers and Stafford are both up in the air after the 2024 season. Though there’s a good chance Stafford returns to the Rams for at least another year, Rodgers may not be back with the Jets.

Depending on where each quarterback is playing in 2025 (if they both are), perhaps we could get one more edition of Rodgers-Stafford next year.