History of Aaron Rodgers in Timeline
Aaron Rodgers is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets. Prior to joining the Jets, he spent 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, who drafted him in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft after his college career at the University of California, Berkeley. Rodgers is widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
1966: Bart Starr's High Passer Rating
During the 1966 NFL season, legendary Packers Quarterback Bart Starr achieved an impressive passer rating of 105.0.
1968: Another Strong Season for Bart Starr
Bart Starr had another remarkable season in 1968, recording a 104.3 passer rating for the Green Bay Packers.
1973: Father's Football Career Begins
In 1973, Aaron Rodger's father, Edward Wesley Rodgers, began playing football as an offensive lineman for the Chico State Wildcats.
1976: Father's Football Career Ends
Edward Wesley Rodgers ended his football playing career with the Chico State Wildcats in 1976.
December 2, 1983: Birth of Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers was born on December 2, 1983, in Chico, California.
1992: A New Era Begins in Green Bay
In 1992, for the first time since 1992, a quarterback other than Brett Favre started a regular season game for the Green Bay Packers. This marked a significant shift in the team's history.
1996: Packers Set Franchise Scoring Record
In 1996, The Green Bay Packers created a new franchise record for single-season points scored. They amassed 456 points throughout the season.
1997: Returns to Chico and Attends Pleasant Valley High School
The Rodgers family moved back to Chico in 1997, where Aaron attended Pleasant Valley High School.
2001: Sets Single-Season School Record
Aaron Rodgers set a single-season school record with 2,466 total yards at Pleasant Valley High School in 2001.
2002: Graduates High School
Rodgers graduated from Pleasant Valley High School in the spring of 2002 with high scores.
2003: Starting Quarterback at Cal
In 2003, Aaron Rodgers became the starting quarterback for the California Golden Bears in the fifth game of the season.
2003: Sets School Records at Cal
Rodgers set school records at Cal in 2003, including tying the season record for 300-yard games and setting a record for the lowest percentage of passes intercepted.
2004: Successful Season at Cal and Heisman Voting
In 2004, Rodgers led Cal to a 10-1 record and finished ninth in Heisman Trophy voting. He also set a school record for consecutive completed passes.
August 2005: Signs with Green Bay Packers
In August 2005, Rodgers signed a five-year deal with the Green Bay Packers.
December 19, 2005: First Regular Season Game Action
On December 19, 2005, Rodgers saw his first significant game action in a regular season game against the Baltimore Ravens.
2005: Pre-Draft Evaluation
Rodgers' pre-draft evaluation in 2005 highlighted his impressive college performance, arm strength, and mechanics, but also noted the potential inflation of his statistics due to a quarterback-friendly system.
2005: NFL Draft Selection
In 2005, Aaron Rodgers was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers after playing college football at the University of California, Berkeley.
2005: Enters the 2005 NFL Draft
After the 2004 season, Rodgers decided to forgo his senior season and entered the 2005 NFL Draft.
November 19, 2006: Injury Sidelines Rodgers
On November 19, 2006, while playing against the New England Patriots, Rodgers broke his left foot while filling in for an injured Favre. The Packers lost 35-0, and Rodgers missed the rest of the season.
November 29, 2007: Rodgers Shines in Relief Appearance
On November 29, 2007, Rodgers replaced an injured Favre against the Dallas Cowboys. He threw for 201 yards and his first NFL touchdown, nearly overcoming a 17-point deficit. Despite his efforts, the Packers lost 37-27.
2007: Rodgers Remains Backup, Trade Rumors Swirl
In 2007, Brett Favre decided to return to the Packers, delaying Rodgers' opportunity to start. Rumors circulated about a potential trade sending Rodgers to the Oakland Raiders for Randy Moss, but the trade never materialized.
March 4, 2008: Favre Retires, Opens Door for Rodgers
On March 4, 2008, Brett Favre announced his retirement, paving the way for Rodgers to become the Packers' starting quarterback. Although Favre later attempted a comeback, he was traded to the New York Jets, solidifying Rodgers' role as the starter.
October 31, 2008: Rodgers Signs Contract Extension
On October 31, 2008, Rodgers signed a six-year, $65 million contract extension with the Packers, securing his future with the team through the 2014 season.
2008: Becomes Packers' Starting Quarterback
After three years backing up Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers became the Green Bay Packers' starting quarterback in 2008.
2008: Peyton Manning's Consecutive MVPs
Between 2008 and 2009, Peyton Manning achieved consecutive MVP awards, a feat Rodgers later matched.
2008: High Interception Count
Rodgers matched his 2008 season high for interceptions in the 2022 season.
October 2009: Rodgers Named NFC Offensive Player of the Month
Rodgers' impressive performance in October 2009, with 988 passing yards and a passer rating over 110 in all three games, earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Month honors.
2009: Rodgers Leads Comeback Victory
In the opening game of the 2009 season, Rodgers orchestrated his first comeback victory as a starter, throwing a 50-yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings to secure a 21-15 win over the Chicago Bears.
2009: Peyton Manning's Consecutive MVPs
Peyton Manning's consecutive MVP wins in 2008 and 2009 set a precedent for Rodgers' later achievement.
2009: Lowest Passing Interception Percentage
Rodgers led the NFL in lowest passing interception percentage in 2009.
2010: Rodgers Named FedEx Air NFL Player of the Year
Rodgers received the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Year award for his outstanding passing performance during the 2010 season.
2010: Rodgers Leads Packers to Playoff Berth
In 2010, the Packers faced a must-win situation to reach the playoffs. Rodgers stepped up, leading the team to victories in their final two games, including a dominant performance against the Giants with 404 passing yards and four touchdowns.
2010: Packers Struggle, Rodgers' Overtime Woes Continue
In 2010, the Packers started 2-0 but then lost three of their next four games, including back-to-back overtime losses, dropping Rodgers' overtime record to 0-5.
2010: Super Bowl XLV Victory and MVP
In 2010, Rodgers led the Packers to victory in Super Bowl XLV and was named Super Bowl MVP.
January 23, 2011: Packers Advance to Super Bowl XLV
On January 23, 2011, the Packers defeated the Chicago Bears 21-14 in the NFC Championship Game, securing their place in Super Bowl XLV. Rodgers' performance, although not his best statistically, helped lead the team to victory.
2011: Associated Press Athlete of the Year and NFL MVP
Aaron Rodgers was named the Associated Press Athlete of the Year and NFL MVP in 2011.
2011: Rodgers' Postseason Success and Recognition
In 2011, Rodgers' playoff performance earned him recognition as one of the league's top quarterbacks. He threw for over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns, setting several NFL records. He was also ranked 11th on the NFL Top 100 Players list.
2011: Interview about College Recruitment
In a 2011 interview, Rodgers discussed the lack of attention he received from Division I programs during high school.
2012: League Leader in various statistics
In 2012, Rodgers led the league in various statistics, such as touchdown-to-interception ratio, lowest passing interception percentage and passer rating.
2014: Rodgers' Contract Extension Expires
In 2014, Rodgers completed his impressive six-year, $65 million extension with the Green Bay Packers.
2014: NFL MVP Award
Rodgers received his second NFL MVP award in 2014.
2016: League Leader in statistics
In 2016, Rodgers led the league in total touchdowns and touchdown passes.
2017: Three-Interception Game
In 2017 during Week 15, Rodgers threw three interceptions in a single game, a feat that wasn't repeated until 2022.
2018: League Leader in various statistics
In 2018, Rodgers led the league in touchdown-to-interception ratio and lowest passing interception percentage.
2019: Lowest Passing Interception Percentage
In 2019, Rodgers again led the NFL with the lowest passing interception percentage.
2020: Third NFL MVP Award
Aaron Rodgers won his third NFL MVP award in 2020.
December 23, 2021: Pro Bowl Selection and NFC North Title
On December 23, 2021, Rodgers was selected to his tenth Pro Bowl. Earlier in the month, a win against the Ravens clinched the NFC North title for the Packers for the third consecutive season, earning Rodgers NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
2021: Fourth NFL MVP Award
Rodgers won his fourth NFL MVP award in 2021, making him a four-time MVP.
2021: Rough Start to the Season
The 2021 season began with a disappointing 38-3 loss to the Saints, where Rodgers struggled, completing just 15 of 28 passes for 133 yards and two interceptions before being replaced by Jordan Love.
2021: Record-Breaking Season and Player of the Month
In 2021, Rodgers broke Brett Favre's record for most touchdown passes in Packers history, throwing his 443rd in a Week 16 victory over the Browns. His performance in December earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Month.
January 14, 2022: First-team All-Pro Selection
Rodgers earned his fourth career First-team All-Pro selection on January 14, 2022, after finishing the 2021 season with 4,115 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, and four interceptions. In a Week 16 victory, he also surpassed Brett Favre for the most career touchdown passes in Packers history.
2022: Return to Packers and Contract Clarification
Amidst speculation about his future, Rodgers confirmed he would return to the Packers for the 2022 season. He clarified that reported figures for a contract extension were inaccurate, but affirmed his commitment to the team.
2022: Back-to-Back MVP and Playoff Loss
In 2022, despite a playoff loss to the 49ers, Rodgers won his second consecutive AP NFL Most Valuable Player award, becoming the fifth player to achieve this feat. He was ranked third on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.
2022: Up and Down Season, Injury, and Missed Playoffs
Rodgers' 2022 season was marked by inconsistent performances, a broken thumb suffered in Week 5, and a late-season surge that ultimately fell short, leading to a missed postseason and an 8-9 record.
April 26, 2023: Trade to the New York Jets
On April 26, 2023, Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets, mirroring Brett Favre's career trajectory. He opted to wear number 8, his college number.
July 26, 2023: Contract Rework with the Jets
Rodgers agreed to a reworked contract with the Jets on July 26, 2023, taking a pay cut.
2023: Rodgers' Impressive First Season as Starter
In 2023, Rodgers excelled in his first season as a starter, throwing for 4,038 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. As of the 2023 season, the 13 interceptions remain the most he has thrown in a single season.
2023: Ranking on NFL Top 100
Rodgers was ranked 51st by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.
2024: Playing Through Injury and Breaking 300-Yard Drought
Rodgers played through multiple injuries during the 2024 season. He broke a 34-game streak without a 300-yard passing game against the Dolphins, although the Jets lost and were eliminated from playoff contention.
2024: Return from Injury and Early Season Performance
Rodgers returned from an Achilles injury in 2024, starting against the 49ers in a losing effort. He then led the Jets to a victory against the Patriots in their home opener, but threw three interceptions in a loss to the Vikings in London, leading to the firing of head coach Robert Saleh. Rodgers denied accusations he was the cause.
2024: Conditional Draft Pick for Packers
The Packers had a conditional pick in the 2024 draft that was dependent on Rodgers playing at least 65% of offensive snaps for the Jets in the 2023 season.
January 5, 2025: 500th Touchdown Pass
Rodgers reached the milestone of 500 career touchdown passes, throwing to Tyler Conklin against the Dolphins on January 5, 2025, in a win for the Jets. He ended the season with 3,897 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.