Aaron Rodgers is preparing for the first NFL regular-season game held in France, and the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback arrives in Paris with momentum. He led a 26-19 overtime comeback at Tampa Bay on October 18.
Now, a candid remark from Rodgers on Friday has added a new storyline to the buildup for Sunday’s matchup with the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France.
Aaron Rodgers questions Steelers’ Paris arrival plan
The Steelers left on Thursday evening and landed in Paris early Friday morning. That gave them about two days before Sunday’s kickoff at Stade de France. The Saints chose another route, flying out right after beating the Giants and have been in Paris since Monday.
Rodgers addressed the schedule with reporters on Friday, as shared by The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo. The 42-year-old made clear he would have liked an earlier arrival.
“I played in three countries now, and each of them we’ve left on Thursday early evening. Would have been nice one time to come over on a Monday,” Rodgers told reporters.
Aaron Rodgers on the Steelers’ decision to arrive in Paris on Friday morning: “I played in three countries now, and each of them we’ve left on Thursday early evening. Would have been nice one time to come over on a Monday.”
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) October 23, 2026
The Steelers have used this travel plan on European trips since 2013, including last year’s win over the Vikings in Dublin.
Time zones add another hurdle. Paris is six hours ahead of Pittsburgh on Friday. Europe sets its clocks back on Saturday night, so the gap shrinks to five hours by kickoff.
The trip has carried security questions too. The team canceled its Steelers House fan event after unrest in the Bastille neighborhood, and Rodgers said he trusts the NFL’s judgment.
Another Rodgers storyline could shape how Pittsburgh’s offense looks next.
Rodgers could get another receiving target before the deadline
Aaron Rodgers has played well in what he has called his final NFL season. Through six weeks, he has thrown for 1,487 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 61.4 percent of his passes.
Pittsburgh needs more help at wide receiver, and The Athletic named the Steelers as a possible landing spot for Tennessee Titans wideout Calvin Ridley. The Raiders and Seahawks also appear on that list.
Ridley has only five catches for 81 yards this year and has fallen behind younger Titans receivers in the rotation. He is 31 and has no guaranteed money on his contract after this season.
No concrete report links Pittsburgh to him yet, but the November 10 trade deadline is close enough to keep the Steelers’ trade buzz alive.
Pittsburgh (4-2) can improve to 5-2 after the long trip, while New Orleans (2-4) wants to build on its win over the Giants. Kickoff is set for 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday at Stade de France.
More NFL News:
- 49ers Given Clear Option to Trade QB Mac Jones Before Deadline
- Mike Tomlin Reveals the ‘Angry Little Brother’ Trait Driving Steelers Star T.J. Watt
- ‘Remember the Name’ — ESPN’s Andrew Hawkins Compares Steelers Rookie Germie Bernard to Hines Ward
- Steelers Legend Ben Roethlisberger Sends Blunt Aaron Rodgers Message to Mike McCarthy
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