From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Aaron Rodgers made an impact.
Aaron Rodgers is a professional American football quarterback currently playing for the New York Jets. Prior to joining the Jets, he spent 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers after being drafted in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft. He played college football for the California Golden Bears. Rodgers is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most talented quarterbacks in NFL history.
In 2013, after Rodgers had a career-high 480 passing yards, Rodgers became the first quarterback since Y. A. Tittle in 1962 to throw for at least 480 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in a game.
During Week 10 of 2014, against the Bears, Rodgers became the second player since Daryle Lamonica in 1969 to throw six touchdown passes in the first half.
Since becoming an official stat in 1970, Aaron Rodgers' yards per attempt in the 2011 season ranks fourth-highest all-time.
In 2008, with Rodgers making his debut as a starter, it marked the first time since 1992 that a quarterback other than Favre started a regular season game for the Packers.
In 2003, Aaron Rodgers set a school record for the lowest percentage of passes intercepted at 1.43%.
In 2003, Aaron Rodgers was named the starting quarterback in the fifth game of the season for the California Golden Bears.
In 2004, Aaron Rodgers led the California Golden Bears to a 10-1 record and a top-five ranking at the end of the regular season.
In August 2005, Aaron Rodgers agreed to a five-year, $7.7 million deal with the Green Bay Packers.
On December 19, 2005, Aaron Rodgers entered the game against the Baltimore Ravens and completed 8 of 15 passes for 65 yards and an interception.
After the 2004 season and a Holiday Bowl loss, Aaron Rodgers decided to forgo his senior season and entered the 2005 NFL draft.
In 2005, Aaron Rodgers was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the NFL draft, marking the beginning of his NFL career.
In 2005, Aaron Rodgers was expected to be selected early in the NFL Draft due to his impressive stats as a junior at Cal.
On November 19, 2006, Aaron Rodgers broke his left foot while playing against the New England Patriots, causing him to miss the rest of the season.
On November 29, 2007, Aaron Rodgers played when Favre was injured. Rodgers completed 18 passes for 201 yards, with no interceptions. He also threw his first touchdown pass but was sacked three times.
Prior to the 2007 season, rumors surfaced about a potential trade involving Aaron Rodgers, but he stayed in Green Bay.
On March 4, 2008, Brett Favre announced his retirement, paving the way for Aaron Rodgers to become the Packers' starting quarterback for the 2008 season.
On October 31, 2008, Aaron Rodgers signed a six-year, $65 million contract extension with the Green Bay Packers.
In 2008, Aaron Rodgers became the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, succeeding Brett Favre.
In 2022, Aaron Rodgers had 12 Interceptions, which marked the most for Rodgers in a single season since 2008.
Since becoming a starter in 2008, Rodgers has become known for his unique touchdown celebration, which he and his teammates have dubbed the "Championship Belt."
During Week 10 of 2014, the 55–14 victory tied the Packers' 55–7 win vs. the Titans in 2009 for the most points scored by a Rodgers-led offense.
In 2009, Aaron Rodgers led the NFL in lowest passing interception percentage.
In 2009, Aaron Rodgers recorded his first win in a comeback situation against the Chicago Bears.
In 2010, Aaron Rodgers had a record of 0-5 in overtime games.
In 2010, Aaron Rodgers led the Green Bay Packers to victory in Super Bowl XLV and earned the Super Bowl MVP award.
On January 23, 2011, Aaron Rodgers led the Packers to a 21–14 victory over the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship game, despite a 55.4 passer rating.
In 2011, Aaron Rodgers finished the season with a then-record 4,643 passing yards, 45 touchdown passes, and a passer rating of 122.5, setting numerous franchise and NFL records.
In 2012, Aaron Rodgers led the NFL in touchdown-to-interception ratio.
On April 26, 2013, Aaron Rodgers signed a 5-year, $110 million contract extension with the Packers, becoming the highest-paid player in the NFL at the time.
In 2013, ESPN ranked Rodgers' 2011 season as the third greatest passing season of all time, recognizing its efficiency and impact.
Aaron Rodgers' contract extension ended in 2014.
In 2014, Aaron Rodgers led the Packers to the playoffs, but they lost to the 49ers 23-20 in the Wild Card Round, with Rodgers recording only 177 passing yards.
In Week 17 of 2014, despite re-injuring his calf, Aaron Rodgers earned his fourth NFC Offensive Player of the Week honor for leading the Packers to a division-clinching victory over the Lions.
In May 2015, Aaron Rodgers appeared as a contestant on Celebrity Jeopardy!, winning $50,000 for charity.
On December 3, 2015, Aaron Rodgers completed a 61-yard Hail Mary pass to Richard Rodgers as time expired, securing a 27-23 victory for the Packers against the Lions, a play that was dubbed "The Miracle in Motown."
In 2016, Aaron Rodgers led the NFL in total touchdowns.
In 2022 against the Lions, it was the first time since Week 15 of the 2017 season that Rodgers threw three interceptions in a game.
In 2018, Aaron Rodgers led the NFL in touchdown-to-interception ratio.
In 2019, Aaron Rodgers led the NFL in lowest passing interception percentage.
During his 2021 appearance as Jeopardy! guest host, the show made a charitable donation equal to the cumulative winnings of the contestants for those ten shows.
In 2021, Aaron Rodgers donated $1 million to help small businesses in Chico and Butte County, California.
In 2021, Aaron Rodgers was honored by the University of California, Berkeley for his charitable work.
During the 2022 season, Rodgers experienced various game outcomes, including a Week 4 win against the Patriots despite throwing a pick-six, a Week 5 loss to the Giants in London, and a Week 8 loss to the Bills. He later confirmed playing with a broken thumb suffered in Week 5. The Packers missed the postseason, and Rodgers finished the season with 3,695 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, marking his most interceptions since 2008.
In 2022, Aaron Rodgers confirmed he would return to play for the Packers for the 2022 season, amidst speculations of retirement or trade. Reports of a 4-year, $200 million contract extension were denied by Rodgers.
In 2022, Rodgers won the AP NFL Most Valuable Player Award for the second consecutive season and the fourth time overall. Rodgers became the fifth player to win consecutive MVPs and first since Peyton Manning between 2008 and 2009.
On April 26, 2023, Aaron Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets along with draft picks in exchange for multiple Jets' draft selections. He chose to wear No. 8, his college number.
On July 26, 2023, Aaron Rodgers agreed to a reworked contract with the Jets, taking a pay cut.
As of the 2023 season, 13 still stands as the most interceptions he has thrown in a season.
In 2022, Aaron Rodgers was ranked 51st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.
As of 2024, Aaron Rodgers' 2011 single-season passer rating of 122.5 remains the highest in NFL history.
In 2024, Aaron Rodgers played through several injuries. Rodgers broke a 34-game drought with a 300-yard passing performance on December 8 against the Dolphins. He finished the 2024 season with 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
In 2024, Aaron Rodgers raised $3 million for charities with a flag football tournament.
On January 5, 2025, Aaron Rodgers completed his 500th touchdown pass to Tyler Conklin, becoming the fifth quarterback in NFL history to reach this milestone.
On February 13, 2025, the Jets announced their intention to part ways with Aaron Rodgers after two seasons.