Aaron Rodgers. . .10 Years Later
By jasonperone
The summer of 2008 was nothing short of action-packed for the Green Bay Packers. At the center of that action were former Packers quarterback Brett Favre and current quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
At the time, Favre was trying to pry his way back into pro football after tearfully announcing his retirement some five months prior. The Packers were determined to move on from the Gunslinger and hand the reins over to Rodgers.
Favre, 38 years old at the time, took major exception to the team ushering him aside for the young protege they drafted in the first round three years prior. Early in Rodgers' career, Favre made no secret of the fact that he didn't plan to help Rodgers replace him.
Rodgers, 24 years old at the time, was heading towards his fourth NFL season and was itching to be the starter. Be the man. He had waited patiently behind Favre and dealt with a lot of razzing from his elder statesman as well as the Packers coaching staff.
We all know how the rest of that story played out. Here we are, almost 10 years later and Rodgers is still going strong as Packers starter. He's arguably the best player in the league at the age of 34 and showing no signs of being close to done playing.
Recently, Favre appeared on ESPN Milwaukee's "Wilde & Tausch" radio show and talked about life as Packers quarterback in the later years of his career. He emphasized with the fact that Rodgers was likely starting to see some of the same things he saw: the departure of good friends and players.
Jordy Nelson, John Kuhn, James Jones, A.J. Hawk, T.J. Lang and Julius Peppers, to name a few, have all departed recently. Rodgers was close with all and, minus Peppers, were all part of the 2010 Packers team that was the last to reach and win a Super Bowl.
Favre talked about experiencing the same when he lost guys like Ahman Green, Marco Rivera and Antonio Freeman. Back then, Favre was vocal about wanting more talent around him. This past offseason, Rodgers seemed to telegraph the same sentiments through his comments, although he was more subtle about it.
Rodgers is probably gaining a better understanding of what Favre was feeling during his last few years in Green Bay. Hopefully Rodgers takes that learning and works to bond with his younger teammates and spends time with them instead of retreating like Favre did.
These Packers seem better-equipped to continue winning despite all of the changes in the coaching staff and with the roster. The talent is there and Rodgers has said many times that the best part about his years in the NFL are the relationships and moments with teammates.
Your time is here, Mr. Rodgers. Hopefully you hone those moments and can help these new and young players, along with the veterans, to reach and win another Super Bowl.
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Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts. You can follow him on Twitter here
Comments (20)
stockholder
June 25, 2018 at 06:25 am
Love it. Another super bowl win would be nice.
NickPerry
June 25, 2018 at 06:37 am
It's hard to believe how fast the time has flown by. It seems like just last week when Rodgers came in a played WELL against the Cowboys in relief of Favre in 2007. It seems like yesterday when he made his first start i n 2008 and threw a game winner to Jennings. But it seems like FOREVER since SB 45.
After living through the 70's and 80's and watching guys like Scott Hunter, Randy Wright, or Jerry Tagge try and play the QB position. Or surviving the Dan Devine's Trade (which IMO was almost as bad as the Hershel Walker trade) makes me appreciate just how lucky we've been as Packers fans to not only get another great QB after Favre, but one even better.
IMO Rodgers will win another 2 SB's before he hangs them up. For the first time in YEARS I feel like we have a GM who will actually help Rodgers accomplish just that. If that was to happen not only would there be no doubt in Packers fans minds who the GOAT is, but fans from all over the NFL would have a serious debate between Rodgers and Brady.
Rodgers has been handcuffed the last several years with a GM who just didn't do enough and a DC who was better when Favre still played. It's only been one off-season but it feels like the cuffs have been taken off. That's all Rodgers needed to get back in the GOAT discussion.
Bearmeat
June 25, 2018 at 09:19 pm
If he stays healthy, Rodgers is good enough to do that, but let's wait and see on the defensive quality before we proclaim 2 Lombardi's for 12 before he hangs em up, eh? ;)
PatrickGB
June 25, 2018 at 08:21 am
Doctor Rodgers will discover new ways to slice up opponents. Supporting staff will come and go all he needs are a few trusted players on offense and a decent defense. This year is the year that we need to keep injuries to a minimum. But, if it happens we do have a doctor in the house to patch things up.
Since'61
June 25, 2018 at 08:52 am
I've always wondered what would have happened in the Favre/Rodgers saga if the Packers had won the 2007 NFCCG against the Giants and the subsequent SB versus the Pats. Would Favre have retired? If he did would the Packers have wanted him back when he decided to "unretire". What would it all have meant for Rodgers and the Packers? Would we as fans be willing to trade the 2010 SB win for an SB with Favre in 2007?
If nothing else, Rodgers has proven to be the best player in the league and a better player than Favre and Favre is one of the all-time greats. If Rodgers and the team can remain healthy we have as good a shot at another SB or 2 as any team in the league.
The reality is that until we see otherwise, Rodgers is the team. The Packers consistently score about 30 points per game when he plays. If the defense shows up for the playoffs Rodgers will get it done. Behind the DL we have plenty of question marks on defense.
For me the next check point is the status of the roster after the pre-season. Hopefully we will healthy to begin the season, then we can see what we have. Thanks, Since '61
4thand1
June 25, 2018 at 10:05 am
I've always said the int at the end of NFCCG was nail the nail in the coffin for Favre, 61. I believe I jumped out of my chair and screamed, GET RID OF THAT #@&*^#@%&*^@!!! BUM!
BradHTX
June 25, 2018 at 10:43 am
I didn't use those words, but I did say out loud, "The Packers will never win another Super Bowl with Favre. He can't play in the cold any more." I still remember the look in Favre's eyes toward the end of that game. It very clearly said: "I don't want to do this any more."
Since'61
June 25, 2018 at 11:11 am
Brad - I thought the same thing from the beginning of the second half on.
He seemed to me that was ill during the second half of that game. His voice was not as strong as it usually was when calling signals and his eyes were telling me that either he was done or that he was losing his confidence. Still when we made to OT I didn't think that game would end the way it did. We should have a first down on the play he threw the pick, the RB was wide open on the play. Until we find the rewind button we can't go back and have a "do over". Thanks, Since '61
BradHTX
June 25, 2018 at 11:21 am
As someone born and raised in Milwaukee who didn't mind the cold as a young person, and then fled to Texas at age 40 because I couldn't handle the winter anymore, I don't blame Favre for it. Our bodies change in many ways as we age, not just loss of strength and speed. Recovery from stress is harder and takes longer.
Of course, for most of us (and most QBs) the loss in physical skills with age is offset by wisdom gained through experience. Sadly, all too fitting that game ended as it did: with an ill-advised pick.
Since'61
June 25, 2018 at 11:14 am
4th I agree. I think that TT and MM were tired of Favre's poor decisions, especially in big spots and I think they wanted their guy to take over. And they were correct. Favre had a few moments with the Jets in '08 and the Vikings in '09 but 2007 was his last best season in the NFL. Thanks, Since '61
Handsback
June 25, 2018 at 08:59 am
Green Bay just hasn't had a team good enough to get to the SB. When they had the team, 2014, they had a one-legged QB. Yes the defense/ST let them down, but the offense should have scored a lot more points than they did.
Under Pettine and Philbin, that could change...we'll see!
kenparrish53
June 25, 2018 at 09:00 am
Hard for the Packers to pay for good players around you if you take all the money for yourself.
4thand1
June 25, 2018 at 10:14 am
We've all heard every player say "it's a business". FA's have no problem moving on when its about money. Gee you're a really close friend, but team x is willing to pay me a million more @year, CYA!
Spock
June 25, 2018 at 10:29 am
Only two of 32 teams can play in the SB. Only one can win it. With Rodgers this team ALWAYS has a chance and this year feels like it could be THE year. Go, Pack, Go!!!
Archie
June 25, 2018 at 01:58 pm
How the WRs and TEs fare will dictate how far GB goes in 18, assuming Rodgers is as good as ever. Defense will be solid, possibly 10th to 15th.
PAPackerbacker
June 25, 2018 at 05:49 pm
If the Packers can finish in the top 10 defensively then the offense can lead the team to another Super Bowl easily as long as Rodgers can stay healthy. Lots of talent on both sides of the ball this year and the draft was excellent. I can see the Packers leading the league in sacks this year if everyone stays healthy. It will depend on how well the pass coverage is and how well the younger players can step up and cover the receivers long enough for the rush to get to the QB. Can't continue to let the opponents keep getting first downs, especially on third and long. Good pass coverage will result in many sacks with the talent up front that the Packers now have.
I bleed green more
June 25, 2018 at 06:16 pm
As fans we have so spoiled its funny, only a few teams have had as many winning seasons as the Pack has.
cheesycowboy
June 26, 2018 at 02:38 pm
#winning
elisawise
June 27, 2018 at 11:46 pm
Fantastic article. Go, Pack, Go! http://www.hotmailissue.com
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