« J’aime ça. Je n’ai jamais eu l’impression de travailler », declared Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, framing his mindset ahead of the NFL’s historic regular-season debut in France. At 42 years old, the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player is playing through what he has announced will be his final professional season, though he arrived in Europe with his sights locked firmly on another championship ring rather than a sentimental farewell tour.
Arriving in Paris and Adjusting the Schedule
The Pittsburgh Steelers landed in France in the early hours of Friday morning, roughly 48 hours before their Week 7 kickoff against the New Orleans Saints at the Stade de France. Unlike their opponents, who crossed the Atlantic on Monday to secure a full week of acclimatization, the Steelers opted for a compressed travel window mirroring their trip to Dublin, Ireland, the previous season. Inclement weather further disrupted their arrival plans, forcing the team to cancel a scheduled morning walk-through at the Stade de France and pivot to an indoor hotel session, according to Touchdown Actu.
Head coach Mike McCarthy defended the team’s late-week travel schedule as a matter of personal preference and logistical variables. « C’est vraiment une question de préférence personnelle. Il y a des variables : où vous vivez, comment vous vous entraînez, la jeunesse de votre effectif… Je ne pense pas qu’il y ait de bonne ou de mauvaise réponse », McCarthy told reporters in Paris, as detailed by Touchdown Actu. Rodgers, however, admitted he would have welcomed a different routine. « I played in three countries now, and each of them we’ve left on Thursday early evening. Would have been nice one time to come over on a Monday », Rodgers said, acknowledging that while early acclimatization carries distinct advantages, his prior international trips yielded a 1-2 record under the Friday-arrival formula.
Chasing a Title Over Nostalgia
Rather than treating every international stop as an emotional parting gift, Rodgers maintains a pragmatic focus on the field. Paris serves as an entirely new professional milestone. « La ligue existait bien avant votre naissance et elle continuera après votre départ. Vous en êtes simplement une petite partie pendant un moment, en essayé d’en profiter », Rodgers explained. That philosophy does not translate to lowered expectations. When asked what would define a successful final campaign, Rodgers pointed directly to the Lombardi Trophy.
Rodgers Notes Economic Incentives for NFL International Growth
Beyond the immediate stakes of Sunday’s matchup against New Orleans, Rodgers offered a candid assessment of the NFL’s international growth strategy. While embracing the historic nature of the league’s first regular-season contest in France, following previous games in London and Dublin, the veteran quarterback noted that the expansion is driven by clear economic incentives. « Il pourrait y avoir 16 sites dans le monde. La ligue a une large portée et il y a plus d’argent à se faire », Rodgers remarked, according to Touchdown Actu, pointing to the vast commercial opportunities inherent in new global markets. During media availability, Rodgers also discussed the expansion of international games and the challenges faced by certain players balancing their preparation with a job while earning too little.
Rodgers Trusts NFL Safety Oversight for Paris Game
Addressing public attention surrounding local protests and safety concerns in the French capital, Rodgers voiced confidence in the league’s operational oversight. « I definitely think that the NFL is alert to what’s going on. This game means a lot to the NFL. If it was unsafe, then I’m sure we wouldn’t be here », he stated. The Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints are scheduled to kick off on Sunday at 14:30 Paris time at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, with live and on-demand coverage available via NFL Game Pass on DAZN.
More on Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers on Friday on playing in the Dublin and Paris games with the Steelers and the NFL’s future sites of international games : “Well, we talked about it. I remember at the last CBA, there was talk about doing something like an international week where every team played…”
Aaron Rodgers, asked if the Steelers showing up Friday while the Saints arrived in Paris on Monday, is an advantage for the Steelers for Sunday’s game: pic.twitter.com/GPjCVpi020
Aaron Rodgers in Paris with Sky Sports. #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/uSrlRYIfOR
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