The Lass Word: Favre & Rodgers, So Alike And Yet So Different

Taking a break from Covid news: 

Now that Aaron Rodgers has broken Brett Favre’s team record for career touchdown passes, and both players have spent seventeen years with the team, it seems like a good time to put the two of them side by side and make some comparisons.  As a fan, which one did you enjoy more?   

Though their achievements are very similar, the two could not be more different in personality and nature.  Favre was always the “Aw shucks” country boy, the happy-go-lucky gunslinger who played the game by the seat of his pants, forcing the ball into impossible windows, resulting in sensational completions and back breaking interceptions.  His playful demeanor on the field was irresistible to fans, like when he tried to high five officials after a touchdown throw. 

By contrast, Rodgers was the sophisticated, big city, cerebral quarterback who dated superstar actresses and was a fixture on the jet set scene.  His analytical and ultra-conservative approach to the game made him averse to interceptions and susceptible to sacks.  His magnificent memory allows him seemingly total recall of every play, every tactic and circumstance of his career.  Where Favre’s responses in press conferences were often rambling and disconnected, Rodgers’ eloquence makes his media sessions profound and introspective.  

Both have had their poignant and dramatic moments off the field, Favre with his addiction to Vicodin, and Rodgers with his controversial comments on vaccination and the “woke mob.” 

Statistically, comparisons are a bit unsatisfying because Rodgers’ career as a Packer is not over (and hopefully won’t be for a few more seasons).  But it feels like an opportune time to take a snapshot of where the dynamic duo stands in the annals of Packer history.   

Even with his longevity disadvantage as a starter, Rodgers’ stats are pretty stout.  Because Favre was Green Bay’s starting signal caller for sixteen years, some of his overall numbers are larger, as Aaron is playing just his fourteenth campaign as the number one QB.  Favre started 253 regular season games for the Green and Gold.  To date, Rodgers is at 204.  As a result, Favre is still well ahead in passing yards and total wins.  So let’s look first at a couple of percentages, instead of raw numbers.   

Favre won 63 percent of his regular season starts.  Rodgers has won just under 68 percent.  Favre completed 61.4 percent of his passes.  Rodgers stands at 65.3 percent.  It probably won’t surprise you that there is a whopping difference in rushing yards and interceptions.  Rodgers has run for 3,357 yards and 34 touchdowns.  Favre rushed for 1,786 and 13.  And, as referred to at the top of this article, Rodgers now leads in touchdown passes 445 to 442.   

But star quarterbacks are judged mainly on their post season accomplishments, and in this area, the two are stunningly similar.  Favre started 22 playoff games, Rodgers 20.  Favre’s winning percentage in the post season is .545, while Rodgers’ is .550.  Both have won one Super Bowl, although Favre has played in two.  Both have been first team All Pro three times.  Both have been league MVP three times.  I don’t put much stock in Pro Bowl selections, but for what it’s worth, Favre has eleven and Rodgers ten, including this year.   

Which one is the better quarterback?  Seems like Rodgers is the clear winner by the numbers.  And he still has more games to play.  Which one do I like the most?  It used to be Favre.  I adored him.  But it’s hard to totally forgive and forget that he manipulated his release from the Jets so he could sign with the arch-rival Vikings.  How he reportedly said he wanted to “stick it to the Packers”, which he did, beating us twice in 2009.  I know that’s a long time ago, and Favre has since gone up on our ring of honor and mended fences.  And the video congratulating Rodgers on breaking his record was a nice touch.  (Wonder if that was his idea?)  But my wounds are still healing slowly. 

I also recognize there’s no guarantee Rodgers won’t some day be lining up on the opposite side of the line of scrimmage against us, kicking our rebuilding butts.  But as for right now, Aaron’s my guy.  I am wearing my number 12 jersey proudly.  My number 4 jersey remains in the closet.