(Photo: Clutchpoints)
Not every big name gets drafted in the top ten — or even in the first round. Tom Brady was a sixth-round pick, and even Drew Brees was selected in the second round by the then-San Diego Chargers, yet he’ll be inducted into the Hall of Fame this August. Back in 2005, Aaron Rodgers was a high-profile prospect projected to be drafted early, but he fell out of the top ten. Eventually, he dropped to No. 24, where the Green Bay Packers selected him in the first round. From there, he sat behind Brett Favre for three years before finally getting his opportunity to become a starting quarterback. From 2008 to 2022, he was the face of the Packers organization and built a legacy of his own instead of simply being remembered as the guy who replaced a Hall of Famer. After spending the first 18 seasons of his career in Green Bay, Aaron was traded to the New York Jets in 2023 and spent two seasons in the AFC East before signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season and deciding to come back for one more year. Yesterday, Aaron confirmed that he will retire after the 2026 season.
Aaron is one of the most talented quarterbacks I’ve ever seen play the game. I’d even go as far as to say he’s the most efficient quarterback in the history of football. I was always a fan of his release and throwing motion because he made throwing the football look effortless — almost like it was just a flick of the wrist. I’ve often compared him to a jump shooter in basketball, meaning that even if he lost a step elsewhere in his game, he could still throw the ball at an elite level regardless of age. In his prime, Aaron could make throws from every angle. Whether he was in the pocket or working outside of it earlier in his career, he was dangerous in a moving pocket and consistently placed the ball exactly where it needed to be. His accuracy was unbelievable, and even to this day, he can still fit the football into the tightest windows. Whether he was under pressure or escaping the pocket, he threw the ball on a rope. I believe he’s the greatest passer of the football the game has ever seen because of his ability to deliver the ball from point A to point B with incredible precision while rarely turning it over. Even Tom Brady echoed those same sentiments, and when the greatest quarterback ever gives you your flowers, that means something. The arm strength never disappeared, even as he got older, and over the years he made countless throws that left me speechless. It was the combination of arm strength, talent, accuracy, and confidence that always made him stand out. Aaron was also incredibly clutch late in games.
Many people liked him, and many people disliked him, but that comes with the territory. The résumé speaks for itself: 527 touchdown passes, which ranks fourth all-time, a Super Bowl title with the Packers during the 2010–11 season, and four league MVP awards (2011, 2014, 2020, and 2021). As the great Charles Woodson once said, it’s always special to watch players build their legend, and Aaron certainly did that. I can’t wait to see him in Canton in five years.
