Aaron Rodgers at home with Steelers, at peace with Packers - ESPN

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.

«I don't have any animosity toward the organization,» Rodgers said. «Obviously I wish that things had been better in our last year there, but I have a great relationship with a lot of people still in that organization. This is not a revenge game for me. I'm just excited to see some of those guys and be on „Sunday Night Football“ again.

»I grew up there. I spent 18 years there from 21 to 39, so I'm thankful for my time there. Obviously would've loved to ride off in the sunset after a Super Bowl win, but that's not the way the league goes sometimes. I knew the writing was on the wall when Jordan was picked.… I knew at some point there would be a change, and if I wanted to play, it'd probably have to be elsewhere. So I understand the situation."

It's yet another parallel between Rodgers and the quarterback he succeeded in Green Bay nearly two decades ago. Like Brett Favre, Rodgers spent an interlude with the New York Jets before landing with a third franchise. Favre's tenure in New York lasted a season and was marred by a league-high 22 interceptions, matching 22 touchdown throws in a 9-7 season. Rodgers'