Ed Mulholland/USA TODAY Sports
The story of Aaron Rodgers’ draft day experience is one of NFL legend.
In 2005, Rodgers was a 50/50 choice to go first overall, with San Francisco debating where to take him or Alex Smith. The 49ers ended up going with Smith and then the agony began for Rodgers. The world watched as Rodgers waited anxiously for hours in the green room, where he fell all the way to the 24th selection where he was finally selected by Green Bay.
Although many have seen what played out on TV, many may not have known that many on the Packers didn’t even want to draft Rodgers.
While on the “The Ask Gary Vee Show”, former Packers executive Andrew Brandt describes the events that took place when the moment came for the Packers to take Rodgers. Although Rodgers was considered a first round talent by the team, they felt that they had bigger needs to fill at the time. Remember, they still had Brett Favre and felt they were a few pieces away from competing for a championship. Brandt describes the room as divided, as many in the organization wanted the Packers to trade the pick if they were given something decent, or select a second round talent.
Luckily for cheeseheads, the Packers stuck to their draft board and got one of the best quarterbacks of all-time. Of course, Rodgers would sit for three years behind Favre and the two would have an icy relationship until it was finally mended years late.
If you have time, watch the interview. It’s an interesting insight into how the draft selection came to fruition.
