When the Green Bay Packers took quarterback Aaron Rodgers with pick No. 24 in the 2005 NFL Draft, it was hard to envision him surpassing his predecessor, Brett Favre. And yet he continues to do so.
Early in the second quarter of Sunday’s road game against the New England Patriots, Rodgers (now with the Pittsburgh Steelers) tossed a 12-yard touchdown to wide receiver DK Metcalf.
The feat shows how Aaron Rodgers’ career continues to rival Brett Favre’s
When Rodgers became the starting QB for the Packers during the 2008 season, he had huge shoes to fill. Favre played for the Packers from 1992-2007, becoming one of the best players in franchise history. During this span, he guided the franchise to its third Super Bowl title and won three league MVPs.
Rodgers, however, proved to be more than a suitable replacement. He carried the Packers to their fourth Super Bowl during the 2010 season. He also won four league MVPs. For many, Rodgers passing Favre on the all-time passing TDs list will further cement him as the better player.
“Rodgers has five seasons with more than 4,000 passing yards and five or fewer interceptions in his career (2014, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021), while the rest of NFL history has five such seasons combined,” wrote CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell in a story published Sept. 10. “Meanwhile, Favre’s career interceptions [336] will likely never be broken.”
It’s not just about the numbers, either. Former Patriots QB Tom Brady — a seven-time Super Bowl champion — has said Rodgers is the best passer in NFL history.
Favre’s career was impressive. But Rodgers’ career may have surpassed his Packers predecessor. And that’s why Rodgers will join Favre in Canton after he retires.