The NFL Draft is typically a celebration of fresh talent and team optimism. But in 2020, the Packers made a choice that shocked not just the league but their own star QB. Yes, their own Aaron Rodgers. Selecting Jordan Love in the first round wasn’t just a strategic move. It was a downright opening chapter of a story steeped in drama, introspection, and legacy debates.

It wasn’t supposed to happen like this! Aaron Rodgers had just led the Packers to a 13-3 record and an NFC Championship appearance. The logical next step? Bolster the roster with an immediate-impact player to bring Green Bay closer to another Super Bowl. Instead, the Packers traded up to draft a quarterback. Rodgers, who tuned into the virtual draft from home, recalled in Netflix’s Enigma documentary how the moment blindsided him. “I looked down at my phone and my agent just texted me: ‘Quarterback.’ And I was like, ‘No f—— way.’”  

The disbelief didn’t stop there. Rodgers, visibly shaken, recounted, “Then the pick happens, and I immediately got off the couch and was super non-reactive. I just went to pour myself some tequila and went back to the couch and knew there was going to be some interesting conversations.” This wasn’t just an emotional gut punch—it was déjà vu! Rodgers had once been in Jordan Love’s shoes, drafted as the heir apparent to Brett Favre in 2005.

The selection was controversial for more reasons than one. Rodgers had publicly voiced his preference for a skill-position player earlier that night, even joking on The Pat McAfee Show. “Yeah, we haven’t picked a skill position player in the first round in 15 years, so that would be kind of cool.” But instead of a receiver to complement Rodgers’ peak form, Green Bay’s front office chose a quarterback—a move that many interpreted as looking beyond Rodgers, even as he still had plenty left in the tank.  

What happened next was remarkable. Rodgers turned his frustration into back-to-back MVP seasons in 2020 and 2021, showcasing brilliance that seemed to underline the shortsightedness of the Love pick. Yet, as the Packers fell short in the playoffs during both campaigns, questions about wasted potential lingered. Could drafting differently in 2020 have altered Green Bay’s trajectory?  

Mentorship, rivalry, and what could have been for Rodgers

Despite the sting of being blindsided, Rodgers made a conscious effort to mentor Jordan Love—a decision that sharply contrasted with Brett Favre’s approach years earlier. Rodgers acknowledged the importance of empathy in Enigma. “With time, it gives you perspective to look at things a little differently. Take the ego out of it, be empathetic.” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur praised Rodgers’ unexpected role as a mentor. “He welcomed Jordan with open arms and he was a mentor to him. I never asked him to do that. None of our coaches asked him to be that.” It was a significant gesture, one that reframed the public narrative of Rodgers as a leader who, though often misunderstood, was willing to help a potential replacement grow.

However, the complexities of Rodgers’ character linger. Having spent 18 years in Green Bay before moving to the Jets in 2023, he emerged as a legendary figure but wasn’t universally loved. Michael Bennett Jr., a former NFL player who faced Rodgers numerous times, described him as a hard person to like compared to his contemporaries like Tom Brady. Bennett emphasized that while Rodgers is undoubtedly competitive, this intense drive could alienate those around him.

Even so, the Love pick remains divisive. By 2023, the Packers and Rodgers officially parted ways. By trading him to the New York Jets! While Jordan Love has since stepped into his role as Green Bay’s starter, leading the team to a 10-4 record? The shadow of what if looms large over the Packers’ decision to prioritize succession over immediate success. Was the pick worth the cost? Or did it sacrifice Rodgers’ final prime years for an unguaranteed future?

As for Rodgers, his tenure with the Jets has been rocky, marred by injuries and leadership criticisms. Reflecting on the missed opportunities, Rodgers noted in the documentary, “You can’t help but wonder what might’ve been.”