Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers News: QB in Talks to Serve as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Running Mate

On the same day that President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump secured their party nominations for the 2024 presidential election, independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. generated significant buzz on March 12 by discussing potential running mates. At the forefront of his considerations is Aaron Rodgers, the 40-year-old quarterback for the New York Jets. Rodgers has yet to publicly comment on this development, although Kennedy has confirmed the report published by The New York Times.

Beyond his football career, Rodgers has drawn attention for his outspoken skepticism regarding COVID-19 vaccinations, aligning him with Kennedy, who has been a longstanding advocate against vaccine mandates. In addition to this, earlier this year, Rodgers reignited a controversy with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel by falsely suggesting a connection between Kimmel and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Who Is Aaron Rodgers?

Aaron Rodgers is a prominent football player who previously served as the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers before his trade to the New York Jets in 2023. He began his collegiate football career at the University of California, Berkeley, where he gained recognition as a standout player for two years before being drafted by the Packers in 2005. As Green Bay’s starting quarterback since 2008, Rodgers led his team to victory in Super Bowl XLV and earned four Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, all while setting numerous passing records in the NFL.

Early Life

Aaron Charles Rodgers was born on December 2, 1983, in Chico, California, as the second of three sons to Ed and Darla Rodgers. From a young age, Rodgers exhibited a keen interest in football, demonstrating remarkable focus as early as age two when he would sit silently through entire NFL games. By age five, he could recognize various football formations on television and was able to throw a football through a hanging tire.

In addition to his football talents, Rodgers also excelled in baseball during his time with Raleigh Hills Little League while living in Beaverton, Oregon, in the mid-1990s. Upon returning to California, he set multiple passing records as the quarterback at Pleasant Valley High School. However, his small-town roots in Chico limited his opportunities for college recruitment, leading him to enroll at Butte College, a junior college in Oroville, California, in 2002 after failing to secure a Division I scholarship.

College Career

During his year at Butte College, Rodgers led the team to a 10-1 record and a No. 2 national ranking, earning the title of conference MVP. His impressive performance caught the attention of scouts from the University of California at Berkeley, and he subsequently transferred there to take on the role of starting quarterback.

In his two seasons at Berkeley, Rodgers directed a powerful offense that broke multiple school records and earned him a spot as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2004. Opting to forgo his final year of eligibility, he entered the 2005 NFL Draft, where he was anticipated to be selected among the top prospects. Despite expectations of being a top 10—or even top five—pick, Rodgers was ultimately chosen 24th overall in the first round by the Green Bay Packers.

NFL Career with the Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers’ journey with the Green Bay Packers began with a period of observation, as he sat behind legendary quarterback Brett Favre, who had been an enduring presence in the league since 1992. Rodgers patiently awaited his opportunity, which finally came in 2008 when the Packers opted not to re-sign the then 38-year-old Favre. Seizing the moment, Rodgers took over as the starting quarterback, leading the team through all 16 regular season games and amassing an impressive 4,038 yards along with 28 touchdown passes.

Rodgers quickly established a deep connection with Green Bay fans, cementing his status as one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks by guiding the Packers to a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV on February 6, 2011. His performance on that grand stage earned him the MVP award, as he completed 24 of 39 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns.

In subsequent seasons, Rodgers consistently ranked among football’s top performers. By December 2014, upon reaching his 100th regular-season start, he led the NFL in career touchdown passes, yards, and passer rating for quarterbacks at that stage of their careers. At the conclusion of that season, he was honored with his second NFL MVP award.

Rodgers continued to demonstrate elite performance, leading the league with 40 touchdown passes in 2016. However, a fractured collarbone sustained in Week 6 of the 2017 season derailed his campaign, and despite a late return, the Packers fell short of the playoffs. Nevertheless, the organization expressed confidence in Rodgers, extending his contract before the 2018 season. He responded with an impressive performance, throwing 25 touchdowns against just two interceptions, although the Packers struggled to a disappointing 6-9-1 record.

The following year, Rodgers maintained strong production, helping the Packers achieve a 13-3 record and a division title, though they were ultimately defeated by the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. In 2020 and 2021, he secured his third and fourth NFL MVP awards, but the Packers faced playoff exits in the conference championship and divisional rounds, respectively. Speculation about Rodgers’ future loomed during the offseason, with rumors of potential retirement or a trade. Ultimately, the Packers signed him to a substantial contract extension worth $150.8 million over three seasons in March 2022.

However, the extension did not yield the desired results, as the Packers finished the following season with an 8-9 record and missed the playoffs. Rodgers later disclosed that he played through much of the season with a broken thumb sustained in Week 5.

Trade to the New York Jets

Looking to embark on a new chapter, Rodgers announced in March 2023 his intention to play for the New York Jets, who were in search of a starting quarterback. On April 24, reports surfaced that the Packers had agreed to trade him to New York in a deal involving the exchange of six draft picks.

Many NFL analysts viewed Rodgers’ addition as a potential catalyst for the Jets’ Super Bowl aspirations, especially given their strong defensive unit. However, his season debut on September 11 was cut short after just four plays due to a torn Achilles in his left leg, leading to a premature end to his season and casting uncertainty over his future in the sport.

Jeopardy! Host

In April 2021, Rodgers took a turn in the spotlight as a guest host of the beloved trivia game show Jeopardy!, appearing in 10 episodes. His prior experience with the show included winning a celebrity edition in 2015. Rodgers was among several notable figures who filled in as host during the search for a permanent replacement following the passing of longtime host Alex Trebek in November 2020. His appearance helped raise $236,725 for charity, and he expressed interest in pursuing the role of full-time host, though his football commitments prevented him from doing so.

Relationships

Rodgers’ personal life has also garnered media attention. He was in a relationship with actress Olivia Munn from 2014 to 2017 and later dated race car driver Danica Patrick from early 2018 until their split in July 2020. In February 2021, during his MVP acceptance speech, he revealed that he was engaged, leading to speculation about his relationship with actress Shailene Woodley. Woodley confirmed their engagement on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, but the couple eventually called off their engagement in February 2022.

Most recently, Rodgers has been linked to Mallory Edens, a model and former track and field athlete at Princeton University, with rumors of their relationship emerging in September 2023; however, more recent updates about the pair remain unavailable.