Aaron Rodgers is now the starting quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers. And while has officially been on the team for just a few days, he finds himself in a familiar position: that of a mentor to a young quarterback.
While he was already considered a future Pro Football Hall of Famer in 2020, Rodgers saw the Green Bay Packers select his successor, Jordan Love, in the first round of that year’s NFL Draft. Even though their decision meant that he would not be able to spend his whole career with the team that had drafted him, and even though he was resentful towards the front office for making that decision, Rodgers embraced the role of mentor.
Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers Did Not Treat Jordan Love the Way Brett Favre Had Treated Him
Sep 26, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and quarterback Jordan Love (10) walk towards the field before the start of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports, Pittsburgh Steelers
Sep 26, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and quarterback Jordan Love (10) walk towards the field before the start of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Even fans who do not follow the Packers know the story: when Green Bay drafted Rodgers in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, their current quarterback, Brett Favre, was not happy.
At all.
And he let everyone, including his eventual successor, know it. In three seasons backing up Favre, Rodgers did not get the experienced mentor that he had hoped. Sure, they watched film together, but the Pro Football Hall of Famer made it clear that he did not feel it was his job to mentor the young Rodgers.
And the current Steelers quarterback was not going to let Love go through what he went through.
So while Rodgers and the Packers organization embarked on a three-year standoff, he did and said everything to Love what he wished Favre had done to him. He coached him up, gave him advice, and was just as instrumental in Love’s development as any of Green Bay’s coaches.
Now, he is ready to do the same in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers Vowed to Help Will Howard
Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers
Sep 12, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks to throw the ball in the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
The Steelers selected Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Before Rodgers signed, he was slated as a possible backup option behind Mason Rudolph.
And even though he was a Day Three pick, Rodgers thinks that Howard has what it takes to be a successful NFL quarterback, and he told the media that he is going to do his best to help him.
“Will’s a good kid,” Rodgers said. “Got to talk a little bit. I thought he did really well today. He seems pretty bright. [The game’s] not too big for him. He got through progressions really well. I’m gonna be with him every single day and every single meeting. Found my seat next to him in the offensive meeting… I’m gonna help him out as much as I can.”
While many fans may be upset that Rodgers took so long to make a decision, and though so may none too thrilled that he is their starting quarterback in the first place, it should be music to Steelers fans’ ears that the four-time NFL MVP has taken an interest in mentoring Howard.
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