Aaron Rodgers knew he was going to slide in 2005 NFL Draft, new biography claimsÂ
Aaron Rodgers isn't seen as an underdog who beat the odds. However, a new autobiography about the former Packers quarterback reminds fans that he was never the shiniest of options. According to Ian O'Conner's Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers, Rodgers knew he would be waiting on the first day of the NFL draft.
Speaking about the excerpt he read on Monday's edition of "Pro Football Talk," NFL analyst Mike Florio summed up what Rodgers knew going into the day.
"[The inviters were] convinced he was going earlier, [otherwise they] wouldn't have invited him. [They apologized] to Rodgers for inviting him because [they were] like, 'this is going to be a long day. It's going to be a long day.' [Couldn't] find anybody," Florio said. [00:03:32][27.4]
Essentially, those handling the opportunity extended one too many invites to Rodgers, who was forced to sit by through most of the first round. Rodgers was ultimately selected 24th overall by the Green Bay Packers. Brett Favre fans were quite upset by the pick.
"They booed so loudly that we're having a fan event at Lambeau Field. They booed so loudly it was shaking the room upstairs where the front office was after they just made the pick," Florio added.
Aaron Rodgers survives as final remaining active quarterback from 2005 NFL Draft class
Aaron Rodgers is the last active participant from the 2005 NFL Draft class. In the 2005 NFL Draft, 14 quarterbacks were taken. Despite only getting picked 24th overall, Rodgers was the second-drafted quarterback in the class, per Pro Football Reference.
Alex Smith was the only quarterback drafted above him and he is retired. Smith, the first overall pick, played his last season in 2020. Other notable names such as Kyle Orton and Ryan Fitzpatrick also have left the gridiron behind. However, heading into an age 41 season, Rodgers remains in the active NFL zeitgeist.
The New York Jets quarterback is also signed through the 2025 season, so if he wants to extend his career to age 42, he already has laid the groundwork. A showing in 2025 would be his 20th season in the NFL.
If any of the above quotes are used, credit "Pro Football Talk," Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers, and H/T Sportskeeda.