Packers vs. 49ers: The story behind the renewal of a great NFL rivalry
The Rodgers Draft
The 2005 NFL Draft created a connection between the two teams that will likely not be broken until future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers either retires or leaves Green Bay. In the draft, there were two premier quarterback prospects: Utah’s Alex Smith and Cal’s Rodgers. The 49ers held the first overall pick in the draft. They’d have the opportunity to pick between the two.
Nobody knew who the Niners were going to pick. According to a Sports Illustrated article Sacramento Bee writer Mark Kreidler thought it was “obvious” to draft Rodgers. Some NFL scouts, however, thought that Smith had more “upside.” The jury was split.
"“Drafting Aaron Rodgers, the Chico kid who grew up rooting for the fanbase, sure looks obvious. It’s a subtle kind of smart, doing the obvious thing.” – Mark Kreidler in an April 23, 2005 story"
According to the same Sports Illustrated article, Rodgers wanted to play for his childhood favorite team, the 49ers. Every kid dreams of throwing passes in the NFL, wearing their favorite team’s logo on their helmet. Rodgers was one of the few that had the chance to make that dream a reality.
"“Obviously the 49ers were my first love. It would be great playing for a Bay Area team, in front of Cal fans.” – Aaron Rodgers during a 2005 press conference"
However, it wasn’t meant to be. San Francisco drafted Smith with the first overall pick in the 2005 draft, changing the course of their franchise for the foreseeable future. Not many were surprised by the selection, but most were shocked by the fact that Rodgers would fall outside of the top 10, and then the top 20, and finally all the way down to the 24th overall pick, where the Packers selected him, despite already having future Hall-of-Famer Brett Favre on the roster.
Rodgers famously said that he wasn’t as disappointed in not being a 49er as the Niners would be disappointed in not drafting him. He wasn’t wrong: Rodgers has played 17 seasons for the Green and Gold, starting 14 of them and compiling a Hall-of-Fame career. Smith would eventually lose the starting job to Colin Kaepernick, and would have his best seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.