Aaron Rodgers first year starting stats include 4,038 passing yards with a 63.6 completion percentage for the Green Bay Packers in 2008.
The 2008 season was one of the most valuable seasons for Rodgers, where he was allowed to start in all sixteen matches.
The 2005 No. 24 overall pick was the second QB in that draft. Alex Smith, who played collegiate football for Utah Utes, was the first selection of the 2005 NFL Draft.
Aaron Rodgers was a fan of the San Francisco 49ers, who had the No. 1 pick in 2005 and expected them to use their draft position to choose him. But they went with Smith.
Other teams prioritized their positional needs, and at the 24th spot, the Packers selected Aaron. The franchise needed a franchise QB who could fill Brett Faavre’s void in the future.
Rodgers became the leading man for Green Bay in 2008 and continued to be their main signal caller for fifteen years, with an eighteen-year stay with the franchise.
During this time, he won Super Bowl XLV, Super Bowl MVP, NFL MVP (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021), and ten Pro Bowl nominations, among many other achievements.
Aaron Rodgers First Year As A Starter
Green Bay Packers gave the starting QB role to Aaron Rodgers in 2008 after Brett Favre announced his retirement on the 4th of March.
Star player Favre returned to the National Football League, but the Packers traded him to the New York Jets on August 7, 2008.
He played sixteen seasons for the franchise from 1992 to 2007. His accomplishments with the team included:
- Super Bowl XXXI
- 3 NFL MVP (1995, 1996, 1997)
- 9 Pro Bowl (1992, 1993, 1995-1997, 2001-2003, 2007)
Due to Brett’s trade deal, Mr. Rodgers was handed the primary signal-caller role in the team.
The first game for the new leading man for the Packers was against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on September 8, 2008.
Aaron completed 18 passes in 22 tries. He threw 178 yards for a passing touchdown. He rushed the ball for one rushing TD.
Green Bay defeated Minnesota 24-19, and the new signal caller passed his first test. Coach Mike McCarthy’s decision to trust Rodgers paid off.
In the post-match interview, Rodgers said, “Tonight, knowing I was going to get the first snap was pretty special. And running out of the tunnel to the electric atmosphere that we had, it was a pretty special night.”
They won the next encounter at Ford Field against the Detroit Lions but lost the next three. They finished the season 6-10 with an inconsistent run of form.
After the Week 5 game, Rodgers inked a $65 million six-year deal on October 31, 2008.
The statistics from the 2008 campaign are presented below:
| Games Played | 16 |
| Gaames Started | 16 |
| Season Record | 6-10 |
| Passes Attempted | 536 |
| Passes Completed | 341 |
| Passing Yards | 4,038 |
| Passing Touchdowns | 28 |
| Interceptions Thrown | 13 |
| Passer Rating | 93.8 |
| Rushing Attempts | 56 |
| Rushing Yards | 207 |
| Ruhsing Touchdowns | 4 |
| Sacks | 34 |
| Fumbles | 10 |
| Fumbles Lost | 3 |
Aaron Rodgers Rookie Year Behind Brett Favre
Aaron Rodgers rookie year saw him feature in 3 games where he attempted 16 passes and completed 9. He made 65 passing yards and got intercepted once.
As a rookie, Rodgers was given a $7.7 million five-year contract. It included $5.4 million in guaranteed money.
When he came to Green Bay, Brett Favre was the starting QB, and Rodgers was brought in as a future replacement.
His first game time came as a substitute for Favre in the preseason match against the San Diego Chargers on August 12, 2005. He threw six and completed two for seven yards. He was sacked twice.
The 2005 pre-season was a tough outing for the future veteran. His only TD was to Ben Steele while playing the Tennessee Titans on the 2nd of September.
His NFL regular season game time in the first year was against the New Orleans Saints on October 9, the Baltimore Ravens on December 19, and the Seattle Seahawks on January 1, 2006.
Likewise, for the next two years (2006 and 2007), Rodgers remained a backup QB and featured in limited games. He was put on the field four times in two years, registering 264 passing yards for one TD.
He tried 43 passes and completed 26. He wasn’t intercepted during this span.
From 2005 to 2007, Rodgers received limited games due to Favre’s presence. His chance came in 2006 when Favre was sidelined with an injury.
Another injury to Favre in 2007 saw Aaron stepping up against the Dallas Cowboys on the 29th of November and helping the team bring down a 17-point deficit to a 3-point deficit.
Head coach Mike McCarthy recognized the glimpse of future greatness in time, and together, they achieved greatness.
Aaron Rodgers Debut With New York Jets 2023-24
Aaron Rodgers is all set to make his second debut for Jets in the NFL against the Buffalo Bills on 11th September. It will also mark his AFC debut.
For the past 18 years, the 39-year-old has played in the NFC. The one-team person surprised every football fan by moving to the Big Apple via a trade on April 24, 2023.
Jordan Love will fill his void at the Packers.
The Josh Allen vs. Aaron Rodgers meeting has been poised beautifully. They will play at MetLife Stadium, and the kickoff is set for 8.15 p.m. Eastern Time. Monday Night Football will televise the match on ESPN.
The Bills will travel to East Rutherford, New Jersey, as favorites (-2.5 odds). The over/under has been set at 45.5 points for the matchup.
But, the last five meetings saw the Jets emerge victorious over the Bills thrice, scoring 88 points. With a veteran QB, they can add another W to their kitty and upset their guests.
The likes of Rodgers, Dalvin Cook, Garrett Wilson, and Allen Lazard can trouble the Bills defense. Likewise, combining Sauce Gardner, Jordan Whitehead, Quinnen Williams, C.J. Mosley, and Carl Lawson can shut down Allen and the company.
2023 Projection For Rodgers
The expectation is quite high from the Jets in 2023 with a star QB. Aaron is seen as the saving grace for the team.
His arrival has once again made them a contender for the title. The young team has moved to the seventh-best side, with odds of +1800.
The QB averages around +1550 to win the NFL Most Valuable Player award. The four MVP award winner must give his career best and match his 4,643 passing yards and 48 passing TDs to see himself on the top and dethrone Patrick Mahomes.
The 2023 projections for A. Rodgers are:
- Passing yards: 4,203
- Touchdowns: 28.48
- Interceptions: 10.36
- Rushing yards: 163.31
- Rushing TDs: 1.68