It’s no secret that Aaron Rodgers’ long tenure with the Green Bay Packers didn’t end on good terms. Yes, he had led them to a Super Bowl championship in the 2010 season and several other NFC Championship Game appearances, but he had been embroiled in a contract dispute with them during his final days there.

Green Bay traded him to the New York Jets this past offseason, giving the Jets what appeared to be a mighty roster — until Rodgers tore his Achilles on the Jets’ first offensive series of Week 1.

While he has continued to draw attention to himself as he convalesces, it appears he still has some positive feelings for his old team.

The Detroit Lions wrapped up a banner 2023 regular season on Sunday with a 30-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings. They have won the NFC North for the first time since 1993 with a 12-5 record, but Rodgers says he wishes the Packers would’ve finished first in the division.

NFL News & Rumors: Aaron Rodgers, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers Updates

The Packers haven’t had a bad season at all themselves. By defeating the rival Chicago Bears 17-9 on Sunday, they clinched the final wild-card playoff berth in the NFC, something that seemed unlikely just several weeks ago.

Quarterback Jordan Love, Rodgers’ replacement, looked outmatched early in the season. But lately, he has been playing well on a consistent basis, and on Sunday, he completed 27 of 32 pass attempts for 316 yards and two touchdowns.

He finished the season with 4,159 passing yards and 32 touchdown passes, putting him seventh and second, respectively, in the NFL in those categories.

Last season, Green Bay had an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot in Week 18. But Rodgers had a lackluster game, and the team lost to the Detroit Lions 20-16.

The Packers and Jets appear to be going in different directions. One team is seemingly on the rise, while the other has an injured and aging QB and a roster that has plenty of talent but also plenty of big holes.