Backup years: 2005-2007 Aaron Rodgers

rodgers in september 2007

in august 2005, rodgers agreed reported five-year, $7.7 million deal included $5.4 million in guaranteed money , had potential pay him as $24.5 million if incentives , escalators met.

rodgers spent rookie season 4-12 packers packers backup quarterback behind brett favre. received first extended in opening preseason game against san diego chargers after replacing favre. had endure malfunctioning radio in helmet , 2 offensive flags.

in first nfl game, rodgers completed 2 out of 7 passes , sacked twice. continued struggle through preseason, before ending preseason converting 2 third downs , throwing touchdown pass tight end ben steele against tennessee titans.

once regular season began, rodgers saw little action year. played against new orleans saints in fourth quarter of 52-3 victory, , completed first career pass fullback vonta leach 0 yards. on december 19, 2005, rodgers entered game against baltimore ravens @ end of third quarter in 48-3 loss. completed 8 of 15 passes 65 yards , interception. rodgers saw 1 more play @ end of season against seattle seahawks, taking knee end game.

though rodgers played little in rookie season, ran scout team during practice. job mimic opponents schemes defense game following week. rodgers said critical success, , game reps. defense , scouts complained practicing hard, , @ 1 point asked him tone down. stated had rubbed people wrong way how hard practiced. wide receiver donald driver commented rodgers took every scout-team possession last possession of life.

after packers losing season of rodgers s rookie year, head coach mike sherman fired , replaced current head coach mike mccarthy. rodgers placed in mccarthy s quarterback school 6 hours day several times week. focused on working on rodgers s motor skills such hand-eye coordination, finger dexterity, , mechanics. mccarthy worked on rodgers s release point, moving right beside ear hole of helmet further below it, give him smoother release. rodgers instructed lower body fat ratio 15 percent 12 percent. rodgers resistant changes @ first later commented thought better. during practice in 11-on-11 drills, rodgers completed 62.7% of passes 7 interceptions, , mccarthy commented s getting better , re looking @ guy s going mature. s got athletic ability people still haven t seen.

favre did not attend quarterback school under new coaching staff , knew none of terminology in new system. here friendship between rodgers , favre began form rodgers instructed favre plays in sherman system corresponded in new mccarthy system. when preseason began, rodgers played backup in 4 games; completed 22 out 38 passes 323 yards , 3 touchdowns.

rodgers saw little action during 2006 season, did step in on october 2 when favre left game due injury. rodgers completed 2 out of 3 passes 13 yards. on november 19, 2006, rodgers broke left foot while playing against new england patriots in 35-0 defeat @ home, filling in injured brett favre, , rodgers missed remainder of 2006 season. rodgers made full recovery , ready start of 2007 season. quarterbacks coach tom clements, rodgers reviewed every play previous season, learning read defensive coverages , throw receivers open. rodgers took spring practice reps packers first team.

however, weeks after emotional interview nbc s andrea kramer, following team s season-ending victory @ chicago, favre announced stay packers 2007 season, again postponing rodgers s hopes of becoming green bay packers starting quarterback. prior 2007 season, rumors surfaced potential trade involving rodgers in traded oakland raiders wide receiver randy moss. however, moss traded new england patriots during second day of 2007 nfl draft, , rodgers stayed in green bay.

rodgers stepped in when favre injured in second quarter against dallas cowboys on thursday night football on november 29, 2007. rodgers completed 18 passes 201 yards, no interceptions. threw first touchdown pass sacked 3 times. rodgers brought team 17-point deficit 3-point deficit, cowboys went on win 37–27.