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Preseason football
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Aaron Rodgers says preseason is 'not real football' and sees no advantage to playing. His Steelers host the Packers Thursday in their exhibition opener.
Background
The 2026 NFL preseason kicked off with the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6, where the Panthers beat the Cardinals 33-30. Week 1 of the preseason begins Thursday, Aug. 13, with all 32 teams playing. Rodgers, entering his 22nd and final season, has been vocal about not wanting to play in preseason games, calling them 'not real football.'
How it unfolded
- Aug 6, 2026Carolina Panthers defeated Arizona Cardinals 33-30 in the Hall of Fame Game.
- Aug 9, 2026No NFL preseason games were played; the league celebrated the Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
- Aug 11, 2026Aaron Rodgers reiterated that preseason is 'not real football' and he sees no advantage to playing.
- Aug 13, 2026Week 1 of the preseason begins; Steelers host Packers, with Rodgers expected to sit out.
Who’s saying what
- Player
- Aaron Rodgers: 'It's preseason, it's not real football. I don't think there's any advantage to playing.'
- Analysts
- Preseason games are valuable for evaluating rookies and lesser-known players, not for veterans like Rodgers.