GREEN BAY — As we were reminded Sunday night, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers never forgets a slight.
Rodgers’ comment about God being a Packers fan after Green Bay’s victory over Seattle was a well-aimed shot at Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who had invoked God’s name after Seattle ousted Green Bay from the NFL playoffs last season.
Not unlike retired NBA star Michael Jordan, Rodgers has always used slights, real or perceived, to fuel his competitive fire. If he doesn’t have a convenient chip on his shoulder for motivation, he’ll find one.
For Rodgers, the mother of all slights came in 2005 when San Francisco, needing a quarterback, had the No. 1 selection in the draft and evaluated him and Alex Smith for the pick. Aided in part by the recommendation of then-49ers offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy, San Francisco chose Smith No. 1 and Rodgers slid all the way to No. 24 before Packers general manager Ted Thompson snapped him up, thereby receiving one of the greatest gifts in draft history, chip on his shoulder and all.
We all know what happened after that. Rodgers sat behind Brett Favre for three seasons but has become one of the top quarterbacks in NFL history, winning one Super Bowl and two MVP awards. As for Smith, after playing for six offensive coordinators in his first six seasons in San Francisco, he was beaten out by Colin Kaepernick, then revived his career upon being traded to Kansas City in 2013. But while he has one Pro Bowl (2013) on his resume, Smith remains more game manager than NFL star.
Although Rodgers and Smith have become friends and McCarthy, after coaching Smith for one season in San Francisco, left to become coach of the Packers, you can rest assured Rodgers will take his head-to-head matchup with Smith personally when the Packers and Chiefs meet Monday night at Lambeau Field. He’ll be motivated to outplay Smith and prove he should have been No. 1. If nothing else, you could tell that by the way his coaches and teammates tiptoed around the question Thursday.
Asked if Rodgers was still ticked off at him for preferring Smith in 2005, McCarthy said, “I think Aaron’s very self-motivated from a number of different things. I’m sure he’ll enjoy answering that question this week. He’s off to a great start. It’s amazing it’s been 11 years now, this is his 11th season. Have fun asking him that question.”
Linebacker Clay Matthews had pretty much the same answer when asked if Rodgers was still bothered over his draft-day snub.
“I don’t know; you’ve got to go ask him,” Matthews said. “He’ll tell you no, so that’s a bad question.”
No, it’s not. However, it is a question that Rodgers wouldn’t touch. He and Smith have met twice as starting quarterbacks, with the Packers beating the 49ers in 2009 and the 49ers returning the favor in the 2012 opener.
Asked if he harbors any ill will toward Smith, Rodgers said, “Not really anymore. Alex and I are good buddies. I love seeing him and his family in Tahoe. He’s one of the guys I pull for. He’s a great guy. He’s been through a lot in his career with different coaches and teams now, and he’s done a great job. I’m really happy for him. He’s one of those guys I really pull for when I’m not playing him. So it’s good to spend a little time with him and (there’s) no animosity whatsoever.”
A better question might be: Does Rodgers have any animosity toward McCarthy? The coach who has provided Rodgers with the platform for his success in Green Bay didn’t call the shots for the 49ers in the 2005 draft, but he did participate in the process.
Rodgers said he and McCarthy seldom discuss that.
“I’ve mentioned it probably two or three times in my life,” Rodgers said. “The first time it happened, he brought it up our first year in 2006, like he was a little sensitive about it. I don’t mention it. It’s not something that’s on my mind. That’s ancient history as far as I’m concerned.”
Like Rodgers, Smith did nothing to create the draft drama in 2005. He admitted to having a hard time dealing with being the No. 1 pick early in his career because he was trying to prove to everyone that he was worthy of it. As the starter on a contending team, he’s happy with where he’s at right now, personally and professionally, though he does have the dubious distinction of not having thrown a touchdown pass to a wide receiver for 20 regular-season games, dating back to the 2013 season.
Not even the fact that Rodgers’ career has far outstripped his can faze Smith now.
“He and I through that whole process became pretty good buddies, even to this point,” he said. “Certainly, you understand. I mean, we’re all competitive. At the time, coming out of college, of course we’re all competing. You’re at the same position, so certainly you’re competing against each other. You can definitely understand it at the time, but at this point? Eleven years later, he’s got two MVPs and a Super Bowl. I think he’s done OK, you know? I think draft status, we’ve certainly moved beyond that.”
Anyone who understands Rodgers wouldn’t be too sure about that.
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