Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers were pathetic in their loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 1, but they proved they are still a contender with their dominant win over the Detroit Lions on Monday night. The performance must have felt particularly good for Aaron Rodgers, and he did not exactly take the high road when addressing his critics.

With Rodgers having missed a significant portion of the offseason, there was a lot of talk after Week 1 about him not being committed to winning anymore. He responded to that following Green Bay’s 35-17 win.

“I think we maybe tried to show that we cared a little bit more tonight … I just think people like to say a lot of bulls–t, and it’s nice to come back in here after a game like that,” Rodgers said, via Mark Maske of the Washington Post.

Rodgers was an extremely efficient 22-of-27 with 255 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions against Detroit. He was just 15-of-28 with 133 yards, no touchdowns and two picks in the 38-3 loss to New Orleans last week.

The Packers trailed 17-14 earlier in the third quarter, which led to some premature rumblings about them beginning the season 0-2. Rodgers then threw a beautiful touchdown pass and celebrated accordingly (video here). Green Bay never looked back after that.

This may wind up being Rodgers’ last year in Green Bay, but it would be an exaggeration to say he doesn’t care about winning. The 38-year-old clearly wants to add a second championship to his résumé.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Jimmy Butler trolls Celtics after Game 2 win: 'Don't let us get one'
Heat play 'Herro ball' to stun Celtics in Game 2
Lions extension makes Amon-Ra St. Brown the NFL's highest-paid receiver
Brad Marchand gets winner as Bruins beat Leafs to go up 2-1 in series
Reigning Cy Young winner's disastrous 2024 continues
Timberwolves C overcomes long odds, wins Sixth Man of the Year
Watch: Aaron Judge passes Derek Jeter on Yankees all-time home run list
Why it makes sense that the Steelers declined QB Justin Fields' fifth-year option
Heisman Trust's Reggie Bush decision another sign of NCAA's diminishing power
Peyton Manning rips Jets for failing QB Zach Wilson
'Baaaadd man' Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lifts Thunder to commanding Game 2 win
Golden Knights heading home up 2-0 on Stars
Watch: Thunder G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sets new playoff high
Chargers reportedly targeting this former Jim Harbaugh player in draft
Watch: The Maple Leafs turn up the physicality in Game 3 vs. Bruins
Cavaliers forward to miss rest of first-round series
Latest report provides hint on Cowboys' feelings about Ezekiel Elliott reunion
Three-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher requests a trade from the Bengals
Commanders suddenly cut pass-rusher after NFL reinstatement
Watch: Pirates prospect Paul Skenes' remarkable streak ends