Aaron Rodgers and Roquan Smith are division rivals again, which means Smith is looking forward to getting Rodgers on the ground again.
The Baltimore Ravens‘ standout linebacker spoke about playing against the new Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and what it means for the already white-hot Ravens-Steelers rivalry.
Smith was a member of the Chicago Bears and squared off against the Rodgers-led Green Bay Packers twice a year for his first four-and-a-half seasons until he was dealt to Baltimore on Halloween 2022.
Since joining the Ravens, Smith has 398 tackles, five sacks, three interceptions and has been an All-Pro twice.
What Did Roquan Smith Say About Playing Against Aaron Rodgers?
Smith sacked Rodgers in his first NFL game, Sept. 5, 2018, but has not gotten the elusive quarterback to the ground since.
So the fact Rodgers is now playing for the-hated Steelers, after he signed a one-year contract there earlier this month, and the fact Rodgers announced 2025 is likely to be his final NFL season, is making him extra-sackable to Smith.
“I would love to get him,” Smith said on the “Tommy Talks” podcast recently. “It would be pretty sweet to get a couple sacks on him in his last year.”
It may not be Smith’s primary job to sack Rodgers. But Baltimore’s defense, led by the veteran inside linebacker, plus EDGE rushers Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy, will be out to get the 41-year-old.
But Smith also feels Rodgers will be trying to stick it to him and his teammates, especially since the Ravens have been renowned for their defense for decades.
“I’m sure he’s thinking it’ll be nice to dice up the Ravens in his last season, as well,” Smith said.
Smith may have displayed his signature confidence, but he also showed some deference to Rodgers. The four-time MVP and 10-time Pro Bowler had a 7-1 record against the Bears while Smith was in Chicago and is 24-5 against the Bears in his career.
Smith also spoke about what made Rodgers so hard to beat when he was in Green Bay.
“Prime Aaron Rodgers was on a different level,” Smith said. “What the guy was able to do and how he was able to pick you apart in each and every way. You can try to disguise [your defense], and the guy knew what was coming.
“I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for him.”
When Do The Ravens and Steelers Play in 2025?
It is going to be a while until Smith has the chance to sack Rodgers. The teams won’t square off for the first time until Dec. 7, which is Week 14, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
The Ravens have the opportunity to send Rodgers into retirement as well if the Steelers do not qualify for the playoffs. Baltimore will close its season in Pittsburgh in Week 18 for the final regular-season game, in what could be Rodgers’ final regular-season game in 20-plus seasons in the NFL.
Due to the NFL’s policy of flexing Week 18 games, we won’t know the exact date or time for the Ravens-Steelers game at Acrisure Stadium for months. We only know it will be either Jan. 3 or Jan. 4.
