Why did Aaron Rodgers leave the Packers? Jordan Love and Green Bay's succession plan
- - Why did Aaron Rodgers leave the Packers? Jordan Love and Green Bay's succession plan
Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAYOctober 26, 2025 at 6:03 AM
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Why did Aaron Rodgers leave the Packers? Jordan Love and Green Bay's succession plan
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers were always headed for a breakup.
Newton's Third Law of Motion told us as much – for every action is an equal and opposite reaction. In other words, Rodgers' time in Green Bay was destined to end in bizarre circumstances.
The four-time NFL MVP was drafted in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft at a time when Brett Favre was still near the height of his powers. A two-time league MVP, Favre was just two seasons removed from a runner-up finish for his third and led the Packers to a 10-6 record – capping off a 13th consecutive season without a losing record as the starter.
After selecting Rodgers, the Packers posted a 4-12 record in 2005. It was the only losing season with Favre as the starter. He would go on to play two more seasons with the team before retiring for the first time.
The bizarre situation eventually ended with Favre being reinstated and traded to the New York Jets. After a short stint with "Gang Green," Favre would later join the Minnesota Vikings – where he experienced plenty of success.
It's said that history tends to repeat itself and Rodgers is just further evidence of that. Here's what to know about why the Packers and their star quarterback went their separate ways.
makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
">Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
Why did Aaron Rodgers leave the Packers?
Rodgers left the Packers thanks to a succession plan that was put in place for Jordan Love to become the starting quarterback.
Fresh off a 37-20 loss in the NFC championship game to bring their 2019 season to a close, the Packers were still riding high as Super Bowl contenders. However, in the draft that followed, Green Bay prioritized the future instead of the present.
Rather than opt for a much-needed receiver to boost the offense or a defender, the team elected to use their first-round pick on Love in the 2020 NFL Draft.
It signaled the beginning of the end.
Rodgers would keep his job as the starter for three more seasons, routinely falling short in the playoffs and failing to capture that elusive second Super Bowl ring.
The team, which won 13 games in two of those seasons, likely would've benefitted from that draft investment in improving the supporting cast.
Rodgers entered the 2023 offseason with plenty of uncertainty. He pondered retirement, went on his famed darkness retreat and eventually emerged to announce his desire to play for the New York Jets.
Green Bay would then send their franchise quarterback to New York in April 2023, ending a relationship that lasted 18 seasons.
The ride has been anything but smooth in the time since. Fittingly, Rodgers' short stint with the Jets ended with more retirement rumors and his decision to continue playing.
He would sign with the Steelers in free agency after rumors swirled around the Vikings and their potential interest. Perhaps it was some sort of prophecy for Packers' quarterbacks, but Rodgers' departure was less about him and more about the team's desire to move on.
The test of time, especially in the modern NFL, always reveals some cracks in the armor. It just so happened that Love won out in the end – literally.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why did Aaron Rodgers leave the Packers? Jordan Love draft pick
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