AARON RODGERS WAS once puzzled and frustrated by the Green Bay Packers' decision to lay the foundation for a future without him. Two and a half years later, after they reinforced around new cornerstone Jordan Love, Rodgers was introspective and publicly accepting as he readied to face his former team.
It's why even while his competitive fire burns as one of the Pittsburgh Steelers' leaders, he'll warmly greet Love, the man who replaced him, and the crew of Packers captains at Sunday's coin toss, and why he'll probably share pregame hugs, handshakes and conversations with the few who still remain in Green Bay from his era.