Aaron Rodgers’ largely successful 18-year run with the Green Bay Packers came to a conclusion on Monday when they finalized a deal to send the four-time NFL MVP to the New York Jets.
For the 39-year-old Rodgers, this has been a long time coming. Earlier in the offseason, the future Hall of Fame quarterback indicated that he wanted to be traded to the Jets. This came after rifts grew between Rodgers and the Packers’ organization over the past couple years.
One day after the trade was announced, and Rodgers has taken to social media to pen a goodbye note to both the Packers and their fans.
“I’m not sure it’s possible to fully express the gratitude that I have to the Packers, our incredible fans, the state of Wisconsin, the thousands of players that I crossed paths with, the incredible men and women who work for the organization, and the amazing people who I got to meet along the way, in one post with 10 pictures, but I hope you read this and feel my heart and soul, filled with love, joy, and peace about my time in green and gold.
I grew up in Green Bay, drafted at 21, fell in love with the game, met some lifelong friends, and take with me memories that will last a lifetime.”
Aaron Rodgers’ IG post
Rodgers was selected with the 24th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft by Green Bay. He sat behind Brett Favre for three seasons before taking over.
The rest was pretty much history (literally). Over the course of the next 15 seasons, Rodgers earned four NFL MVP awards and led the Packers to a Super Bowl title. The future first ballot Hall of Famer also took time to thank the coaches he worked with during his time in Green Bay.
“I’m grateful to the late Ted Thompson for drafting me, for my head coaches, especially the 13 years with Mike McCarthy, and the last 4 with Matt LaFleur,” Rodgers wrote.
Rodgers’ issues with Mike McCarthy prior to the now-Dallas Cowboys head coach being fired following the 2018 season is by now well known. Even then, the two shared a daily relationship in Green Bay for 13 years. That can’t be lost on this. Obviously, Rodgers also thanked Packers fans for their support.
“To the fans, THANK YOU, you made every run out of the tunnel special, every home game magical, and it was my honor to be your QB,” the quarterback wrote.
It is rather interesting that Rodgers did not thank Favre by name. Those who followed the situation in Green Bay during the 2000s know very well that Favre pushed back against being a veteran leader for a then-young Rodgers. It led to a rift between the two and Favre’s departure from the Packers following the 2007 season.
Related: Winners and losers from blockbuster Aaron Rodgers trade
The end of an era for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers
A lot of the focus on Monday’s blockbuster trade has been on what it means for the Jets and Packers moving forward. New York acquires one of the best quarterbacks of the modern era as it looks to compete for a Super Bowl next season. The Packers turn to young former first-round pick Jordan Love under center.
However, it’s hard to ignore just how successful Rodgers’ tenure in Wisconsin was. Despite winning just one Super Bowl, he led a team that was in contention pretty much each season. Rodgers also finished his Packers career with some otherworldly numbers.
- Aaron Rodgers stats: 65.3% completion, 59,055 yards, 475 TD, 105 INT, 103.6 QB rating
Rodgers posted a stunning 147-75-1 record as the Packers’ starter, leading them to 11 playoff appearances in the process.
While the end of this relationship did not go too swimmingly, it doesn’t seem to be a divorce in the truest sense of the term.
“This is not the end for us, I will see you again Green Bay, you’ll always have my heart,” Rodgers wrote.
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