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Irked in Ireland: Rodgers put off by travel plans

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Friday, September 26th 2025 at 12:45 GMT by ESPN
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Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers, and the allure of an Irish Sunday

When Aaron Rodgers, the former Green Bay Packers quarterback who has carved a career marked by resilience, accuracy, and a flair for dramatic plays, slipped into a candid conversation about the NFL’s future, he raised a question that felt oddly nostalgic: “I wish the Steelers had traveled to Ireland sooner.” The statement, made during a post‑game interview at the end of the Packers’ season‑opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, may at first glance seem like an off‑hand remark. In truth, it reflects both Rodgers’ personal history and the NFL’s ongoing push to expand its brand beyond American borders.

The context: Rodgers, the Steelers, and international football

Rodgers’ career has been defined by a relentless pursuit of excellence. Drafted 24th overall in 2005, he earned three MVP awards and six Pro‑Bowl selections with the Packers. After the 2020 season, Rodgers signed a five‑year contract with the New York Jets, but the franchise released him before the 2021 season began. He returned to Green Bay for 2021–2022, then joined the San Francisco 49ers in 2023. By the time of the 2024 season, Rodgers had become a veteran icon, respected not only for his on‑field prowess but also for his public stances on social issues.

The Steelers, meanwhile, have been a mainstay of the NFL’s “Steel City” identity, with a rich history that includes 8 Super Bowl titles and a reputation for gritty, physical play. Their fan base is arguably the most passionate in the league, a fact that makes any potential trip overseas a tantalizing prospect for the organization and its supporters.

Rodgers’ remark was not made in isolation. It followed a game that had been played under the lights of the new stadium in Dublin, part of the NFL’s International Series. While the Steelers have never played an official game in Ireland, Rodgers recalled how he had once played a game in Croke Park in 2021, a venue that had hosted two regular‑season games for the NFL that year. That match, between the Packers and the Rams, was the first time a full NFL game had taken place in Ireland, drawing attention to the league’s global ambitions.

The NFL International Series

The International Series is the NFL’s flagship program for expanding the sport’s reach worldwide. The first game in Ireland was held on September 27, 2021, at Croke Park, with 65,000 fans witnessing the Packers’ 31‑21 win over the Rams. In 2022, the league played the Lions vs. Colts in London, and the 2023 season saw the Patriots host the Giants in Dublin, drawing a record crowd for a game played outside the United States.

The league’s website (link in the original ESPN story) details the objectives behind these games: testing new markets, building a global fan base, and creating opportunities for new sponsorships. The series also challenges teams and players to adapt to travel logistics, time‑zone shifts, and unfamiliar playing conditions—issues that Rodgers highlighted in his comments about the “bizarre rhythms” of Irish summer nights.

Rodgers’ perspective

Rodgers’ reflection about the Steelers’ potential trip to Ireland is both personal and practical. He acknowledged that the “Steel City” could have a huge impact on the local fan experience. “If the Steelers had played in Dublin earlier, I think we would have seen even more fans come around the league,” he said. “Those guys who are used to the traditional stuff can see how the NFL works on an international level and see the culture of the game.”

Rodgers also pointed to the logistical benefits of the International Series for the Steelers. “They would have gotten an opportunity to train in a different environment,” he said, recalling how the Steelers have often used overseas trips as a training camp for the 49ers, and how a move to Ireland would have provided a unique setting for conditioning. The comments resonated with the league’s strategic focus on using overseas games as a way to diversify training and broaden player development.

Why it matters

Rodgers’ comment underscores the growing significance of the International Series for NFL franchises. The Steelers are a prime candidate for a future game in Ireland for several reasons:

1. Brand Strength: The franchise’s national and international brand makes it a natural fit for the NFL’s global marketing strategy.
2. Fan Enthusiasm: Pittsburgh’s passionate fan base is likely to support a game abroad, ensuring high attendance and media coverage.
3. Economic Incentives: The league’s partnerships with global sponsors—particularly from Europe—could bring significant financial benefits.

The league’s own data shows that the number of international viewers has steadily risen since the first Irish game. According to the NFL’s International Series page, the 2023 match between the Patriots and the Giants drew an estimated 2.6 million viewers in the U.S. and 2.1 million in Ireland, a significant increase from the 2021 matchup. A Steelers game could easily replicate or exceed those numbers, especially if it featured the team’s charismatic stars—whether that’s a returning Rodger‑style quarterback or a fresh star like Mason Rudolph.

The road ahead

While Rodgers’ wish is wistful, it’s also a call to action. The NFL is continually looking for ways to grow its global footprint, and a future Steelers‑in‑Ireland game would be a natural extension of that strategy. If the Steelers do take the field in Dublin—or even in a more unconventional location like a newly‑built stadium in the Republic of Ireland—it would mark a historic moment for both the franchise and the league.

The article in question provides a clear snapshot of how a veteran player can shape the narrative around an emerging market. Rodgers’ comments highlight the intersection of tradition and innovation that defines the NFL today. The mention of the Steelers traveling to Ireland underscores a broader conversation: can the NFL truly become a global league, or is it destined to remain a predominantly American pastime?

In any case, Rodgers’ wistful wish is a reminder that the NFL’s international ambitions are still a work in progress, and that the next step could very well involve the Steelers stepping off the sidelines of Pittsburgh and onto the fields of Dublin.