"I kept my mouth shut": Aaron Rodgers once made feelings clear on dynamic with Brett Favre

Veteran NFL star Aaron Rodgers made a name for himself, winning a Super Bowl (2010 season) and four NFL MVPs while leading the Green Bay Packers (2005-2022). However, even that achievement is not guaranteed to cement his name as the Packers's greatest quarterback, courtesy of Brett Favre.

Interestingly, Rodgers and Favre played for the Packers back-to-back, solidifying the position for nearly 30 years (1992 - 2022).

So, when Graham Bensinger asked A-Rod the question during a 2010 interview on a show, Rodgers swiftly made his feelings clear about his dynamic with Favre, whom the former replaced as the first-choice QB in 2007.

“I know in his mind, you know, being a veteran, having played multiple seasons and been the guy for multiple seasons, and then him, the team drafted a guy to take your place," Rodgers said.

"But I can tell you on my side there was nothing but cheerleading and hard work, and I kept my mouth shut and the other feelings, I think you might have to ask him about.”

Aaron Rodgers acknowledges learning from Brett Favre

Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers talks to backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 during an NFL game 2006. (Credits: Getty)

Rodgers's rocky relationship with Brett Favre is well documented, with the two sharing common career elements. Like Favre, Rodgers joined the Jets for the latter part of his career and was replaced by a younger QB, Jordan Love.

During the interview, the then-young Rodgers credited Favre with guiding him while watching the latter from the bench.

“That’s a tough question to nail down to just one thing. I think that, you know, I learned a lot on the field watching him.”

Additionally, A-Rod praised Favre for revolutionizing the game by incorporating different elements. He acknowledges that while he had control, he tried to incorporate Favre's throws that he learned during his three-year backup role at the Green Bay Packers.

Aaron Rodgers' advice for the betterment of the game

When Aaron Rodgers was asked about a hypothetical case in which he handled the same situation, he drifted toward the importance of the upcoming generation.

"You know it’s hard to talk about that because I don’t think I knew until I was in the situation," A-Rod said. "I think for the betterment of the game, it’s important to look for ways to bring along the next generation of quarterbacks."

He further added, “I think it’s just as important as a fraternity of quarterbacks over the years, you know, to help the next guy because that’s helping out a league that’s been great to you.”

Ironically, history repeated itself in 2023 as Rodgers left the Packers with a backup rookie QB, Jordan Love, ready to replace him. Interestingly, Love also spent three years on the bench before replacing A-Rod.