By Tony Moss, NFL Editor -- (Sports Network) - The white-hot Lambeau Field spotlight and the eyes of a national television audience will be cast upon Aaron Rodgers on Monday night, when the quarterback and his Green Bay Packers host the Cincinnati Bengals in the preseason opener for both teams.

Rodgers has played a key role in the NFL's most significant summer drama to date. After initially being ordained Green Bay's starting quarterback following Brett Favre's retirement in the winter, Rodgers was subsequently forced to endure a daily dose of chatter relative to Favre's desire to return to the Pack over the past month.

The trade of Favre to the New York Jets late Wednesday night put an end to any would-be quarterback controversy concerning Rodgers and Favre, but the former first-round pick out of California now must prove himself worthy of succeeding the future Hall-of-Famer in the lineup.

Any sign of struggle from Rodgers on Monday, even in the brief time he is expected to play, could elicit some anguish on the part of the Lambeau Field faithful.

Rodgers is expected to be followed in the lineup by rookies Brian Brohm (2nd Round, Louisville) and Matt Flynn (7th round, LSU), each of whom will be making their debut in a Green Bay uniform.

Other new offensive pieces slated to see extensive action on Monday are wideout Jordy Nelson (2nd Round, Kansas State) and tight end Jermichael Finley (3rd Round, Texas).

On the injury front for Green Bay, the status of newly re-signed running back Ryan Grant (hamstring) is uncertain for Monday.

Though Rodgers will dominate the headlines, the Bengals will enter the contest with some intriguing storylines of their own.

Expected to be in uniform for the first time since publicly demanding a trade in the offseason is wide receiver Chad Johnson. Johnson underwent ankle surgery just prior to training camp, but Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis told the media last Wednesday that he would play against the Packers.

Lewis also said that wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh (leg) and running back Rudi Johnson (hamstring) would be unlikely to appear.

Kenny Watson is likely to start at running back for the Bengals.

Quarterback Carson Palmer should play a series or two before yielding to backups Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jeff Rowe, and possibly Palmer's brother, Jordan.

Monday should also mark the Bengals debut of rookie linebacker Keith Rivers (1st Round, USC), who was signed last week after a brief holdout.

Cincinnati owns a 10-4-1 advantage in its all-time preseason series with Green Bay, including a 48-17 home rout in the last such meeting, prior to the 2006 season.