One of the rarest things in the NFL is longevity. Football is a violent game, and it is not rare to see players retire after just a few seasons. What is even more rare is for a player to play a lengthy career with just one team. Even legends such as Brett Favre, Joe Montana, Tom Brady, and Emmitt Smith ended their careers with different teams. Now those legendary players are rare breeds given their positions. It is far more common for kickers to have long careers with one team. Even then, though, many kickers and punters find themselves playing for multiple teams throughout the course of their careers. Sam Koch, the punter of the Baltimore Ravens, announced his retirement after 16 seasons. He spent his entire career with the Ravens. This highlights an incredible distinction for Aaron Rodgers: he is the longest tenured player in the NFL.
Aaron Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers was a surprise pick by the Green Bay Packers back in 2005. Green Bay already had the aforementioned Brett Favre as their quarterback. However, Favre kept on wavering back and forth between retirement and playing. The team simply had to be ready.
After three seasons as Favre’s backup, Aaron Rodgers took over the reins. Favre was traded to the New York Jets and eventually played two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. Since then, Aaron Rodgers has been the starting quarterback of the Packers for 14 seasons. 2022 will be his 15th as a starter and 18th with Green Bay. Rodgers’ new three-year extension will ensure that he eclipses the 20 years that Tom Brady spent with the New England Patriots.
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