Aaron Rodgers isn't everyone's cup of tea. Even Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy called him a "complicated fella" while still on the team.
But whether you love him or hate him, there's no denying Rodgers' willingness to mentor the quarterbacks he shares a locker room with.
Often portrayed as the grumpy veteran who refuses to share wisdom with his teammates, Rodgers has already squashed that narrative by going above and beyond with Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Will Howard. But don't just take my word for it.
"I had an open seat next to me, and there came Aaron. I just thought it was pretty cool that he was willing to sit next to me. I remember even Day 1, he had a couple of things that we hadn't really gone over yet." Howard told Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I'm like, 'Holy s---, man. Aaron Rodgers is asking me questions right now, and I'm answering them. What is going on?'"
"He's been so awesome to me," Howard added. "Aaron has been so willing to help me. He's like, 'As much or as little as you want me to help you, I'll be there.' He's already given me tips. Little things here and there, in the meeting room, on the field, in my drops, different little things."
Rodgers has instantly made a positive impact in Pittsburgh. It comes as a surprise to many but not to Packers fans.
Many have rewritten the history books by claiming Rodgers made life miserable for Jordan Love. The opposite was true. Rodgers may not have enjoyed the Packers' decision to draft his replacement three months after reaching the NFC Championship Game, but he aimed his frustrations directly at the front office and never at Love.
Aaron Rodgers is once again proving his willingness to help his teammates, and Packers fans already know it
Rodgers was once in Love's position, drafted in the first round to eventually replace a Hall-of-Fame quarterback. Brett Favre was that grumpy veteran who said it wasn't his job to mentor his successor. Rodgers learned from his rocky start to life in the NFL and admitted he never wanted to inflict the same awkwardness on his teammates.
Whether it was Matt Flynn, Brett Huntley, Kurt Benkert, or finally, Love, Rodgers always built good relationships with his backup quarterbacks.
Nowadays, Rodgers acts like a proud older brother to Love, publicly praising him at every opportunity. That included after his first start as Rodgers' replacement when Love led the Packers to a win over the Chicago Bears in Week 1 of the 2023 season.
"I thought he played excellent, and I was really happy for him. Green Bay quarterbacks have long made fans of Chicago's days and nights pretty miserable, and I'm happy to see him picking up where I left off," Rodgers said.
He also sent Love a text after the game that read: "Congratulations on keeping the ownership in place."
Rodgers built a great relationship with Love, and he will do the same for Howard in Pittsburgh, passing on his wisdom and giving the rookie the tools to succeed.
Mark Murphy was right about Rodgers — he is a complicated fella. He has strong opinions and isn't afraid to voice them.
And, yes, when the Packers drafted Love, Rodgers voiced his frustrations publicly and even went scorched earth on the front office, but he never once held that against Love.
Rodgers put his arm around Love, shielded him from the same negativity he faced as Favre's backup, and taught him the secrets to his MVP playbook.
Watch one Packers game, and you'll see the lessons Love learned. The footwork? Making wow throws off-platform? Catching defenses with 12 players and confusing them with the hard count? Love learned from the best, and Rodgers was a willing teacher.
Packers fans know that, so it's no surprise to see his impact in Pittsburgh. Now, the rest of the NFL world is beginning to realize it, too.