The more that time marches on, the similarities and differences between Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers are uncanny.
Granted, you have a southern boy from Mississippi. He had an absolute arm cannon and showed it off with 29 career wins at the University of Southern Mississippi. He was taken in the second round by the Atlanta Falcons, but unfortunately Falcons head coach Jerry Glanville wasn’t impressed.
The Packers gave the Falcons the 17th overall pick in the 1992 NFL Draft for the unproven Favre. In 1992, he had a 8-5 record, despite passing for 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
“In the first year or so, I don’t think anybody on our team knew exactly what we were doing,” Favre said in 1992. “I didn’t care what the defense did, I was going to the Z, and if he was covered, boom, I was gone. I was running, trying to make something happen.”
Favre went on to make amazing throws, while also making you pull your hair out. He threw six picks against the Rams in the 2002 NFC Divisional Playoff. To add insult to injury, three of those were returned for touchdowns.
“I could have thrown eight had we gotten the ball back,” said Favre after the game. “I was going to keep chucking.”
I think that quote truly encapsulates Favre. He wasn’t afraid. He knew that the best chance for the Packers to win was if he kept taking chances. Sometimes he succeeded, sometimes he failed. But he wasn’t going to let that stop his approach.
Aaron Rodgers had a different road to stardom. He had to start at Butte College, one of the largest community colleges in California. After transferring to the University of California, Rodgers tallied a career record of 17-5 as a Golden Bear.
Many thought he would be taken first in the 2005 NFL Draft, especially because his childhood team — the San Francisco 49ers were picking first. However, he sat in the green room until the 24th pick. Many thought he would be bummed.
“Not as disappointed as the 49ers will be that they didn’t draft me,” said Rodgers at the draft.
Unlike Favre who was thrust into the starting role right away, Rodgers had to wait for three years before he started a game. And in 2008 he showed how important sitting and learning can be by throwing for 28 touchdowns and 13 picks. The next year he averaged over 277 yards a game and threw 30 touchdowns and seven picks.
But unlike Favre, who was always taking chances, Rodgers only had four seasons of double-digit interception seasons. By contrast, Favre had 18.
“Way too conservative for the talent he has,” said Chris Simms in 2023.
That’s how they are different. How they are similar is how they balance their whale-sized egos. Favre retired three times before finally calling it quits in January 2011. He doesn’t just love the spotlight, he needs it.
“You can’t shy away from it,” Favre said. “The media, the cameras, the fans — they’re all part of the game. You learn to live with it, and honestly, it becomes part of the fun.”
Rodgers’ ego caused him to leave Green Bay as well. It swelled so much that he is still thinking about adding another chapter to his career after he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, just four plays into the 2023 season.
For better or worse, Rodgers has had a symbiotic relationship with Pat McAfee. The former punter would not be where he is today without the friendship of one of the best passers of all-time that also made weekly visits to his show.
“I don’t get caught up in all the celebrity stuff,” Rodgers said. “I know who I am and what matters. The lights and cameras are part of it, but they don’t define me.”
If Rodgers comes back to play for the Steelers, what is he looking to accomplish? More gaudy numbers or just a win-at-all-costs attitude? Since he turns 42 in December, he is going to be more cautious with his body and will ultimately make more business decisions.
But if he gets to play and get an ego boost at the same — that’s a win-win.