Former Packers LB Desmond Bishop Joined Vikings to Face Aaron Rodgers

Oct 2, 2011; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop (55) celebrates his sack against the Denver Broncos during the third quarter at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Broncos 49-23. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Desmond Bishop was once a member of the Green Bay Packers and was fortunate enough to get to practice against Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers each week.

Now Bishop will face Rodgers in a serious game twice a year as the Packers and Vikings duel for NFC North supremacy.

Green Bay released Bishop because he would not restructure his deal after coming off a very serious torn hamstring injury suffered early last season.

It sounds as if one of the biggest reasons Bishop joined the Vikings was to face Rodgers as he told NFL Network’s “NFL AM” Tuesday (via NFL.com’s Marc Sessler):

"“It was part of the reason,” Bishop told NFL Network’s “NFL AM” on Tuesday. “And if I can get a chance to play against Aaron Rodgers, I think that right there, in itself, is a motivation. You know, you want to play against the best. … When I was playing for Green Bay, the games I cherished … most was playing against the Vikings because I had a chance to play against (running back) Adrian Peterson. … That’s my mindset. I want to play against the best.”"

Of course, Bishop also joined the team because he would act as an instant starter in the middle of the Vikings defense, the team was willing to take a slight financial risk on the chance he’ll never  be the same and he wouldn’t have to move very far.

Bishop will get his crack at Rodgers twice in 2013. The Vikings-Packers rivalry just got a whole lot more interesting.

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