Steelers Now
Once his NFC North adversary, Brian Urlacher still holds Aaron Rodgers in high regard. Unlike the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, who’s rounding into his 22nd NFL season, the ex-Chicago Bears linebacker hasn’t donned a pair of shoulder pads and a helmet since 2012.
Rodgers is going to turn 43 next season, but Urlacher doesn’t doubt that he can still compete at a high level.
“I still think Aaron can play when he’s healthy,” Urlacher told R.org. “I have so much respect for him because of what he did when he was at his best. He’s a pain in the ass with his mobility and arm strength. He’s got a great arm and can still sling it. He doesn’t move as well. That’s just age. It happens to us when we get older, but they’re in a tough division.”
Urlacher, who spent all 13 seasons of his career in the Windy City, played — and lost to — Peyton Manning in Super Bowl XLI and faced off with Tom Brady “maybe two or three times,” he said. Rodgers, however, was the signal-caller that got on Urlacher’s nerves the most.
“Like I said, the mobility, and we played well against them sometimes,” Urlacher said. “He also had some great games against us. … When he started playing for them is when they really started turning the tables on that rivalry. We did OK my first six or seven years, and I think we were above .500. When Aaron took over is when they really started to dominate that series versus the Bears. That was because of him.”
Rodgers would’ve gotten one more crack at the Bears — against whom he has a 24-5 regular season record — if not for fracturing his wrist last season. Backup Mason Rudolph stood in during a 31-28 road loss at Soldier Field.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Bears Legend Delivers Clear Opinion of Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers
