The chilly spring of 2005 in Green Bay held more significance than just the weather. The 24th pick in the NFL Draft that year marked a turning point in the franchise’s history, as the Packers selected quarterback Aaron Rodgers from the University of California, Berkeley. This move signaled the eventual replacement of the team’s veteran quarterback, Brett Favre, who was entering his 13th consecutive season as the starter.
Favre, a Super Bowl champion and seven-time division winner, wasn’t thrilled about the drafting of his future replacement. In a new book, the author delves into the complex, often contentious relationship between Rodgers and Favre.
The Fallout From the Packers Drafting Aaron Rodgers
Favre, then 35, made his discontent clear, stating, “My contract doesn’t state I have to get him ready to play. Now hopefully he watches me and gets something from that.” Rodgers’ father, Ed, revealed that Favre wasn’t exactly welcoming to his son, even excluding him from hunting and fishing trips with the other quarterbacks.
Brett Favre Once Played a Very Public Practical Joke on Aaron Rodgers
In one notable instance, Favre orchestrated a prank on Rodgers during practice, convincing him to sign a helmet for charity, which was actually his own helmet. The team erupted in laughter when Rodgers discovered the joke, and the incident encapsulated the complex dynamic between the two quarterbacks.
Despite the initial tension, Favre and Rodgers have since developed a friendship, with Favre even attending Rodgers’ 2014 wedding. Rodgers has also spoken highly of Favre, stating, “I think a mutual respect grew into the friendship we have right now.”
As fate would have it, Rodgers found himself in a similar situation in 2020 when the Packers drafted quarterback Jordan Love as his potential successor. Rodgers reflected on the experience, saying, “I learned a lot over those years working with Brett, things I can bring to the relationship with Jordan.”
The complex relationship between two NFL legends is available now, offering a deeper look.
