Green Bay Packers Royalty Snubbed From ESPN’s NFL Quarter-Century Team (2000-2025)

Aaron Rodgers Judged to Not Be One of the 3 Best QBs of the Past 25 Years

One significant judgement in the list was the QB position, where three players were incorporated as part of the 53 total players selected for the quarter-century team . Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are obvious selections for two of the spots, but while many would figure Green Bay Packers great Aaron Rodgers would be the third, ESPN’s Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder decided to go with Patrick Mahomes instead.

Aug 25, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) embrace after a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY SportsThe pair of ESPN analysts pointed to two main reasons they went with Mahomes ahead of Rodgers of even Drew Brees. Firstly, Mahomes’ career QBR of 75.0 is second-highest, behind only Manning. Even Brady’s 71.0 trails Mahomes, as does Rodgers’ 66.9.

Secondly, postseason success favors Mahomes as well. Rodgers is 12-10 in the playoffs in his career and has the one Super Bowl championship. Meanwhile, Mahomes is 17-4 and has three rings to his name already. Nonetheless, it was certainly a notable decision, and one that is sure to upset Packers fans.

Davante Adams Misses Cut For Greatest Wide Receivers of the Last 25 Years

At the wide receiver position, Green Bay’s former perennial All-Pro Davante Adams certainly has a legitimate case. With 6 Pro Bowls, three-straight First-Team All-Pro selections in 2020, 2021, and 2022, and over 10,000 yards and 100 touchdowns in his career, Adams has been regarded in the best receiver in the NFL during his career.

Nonetheless, ESPN did not find any room for Adams in their six receivers selected for the roster. Randy Moss, Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones, Terrell Owens, Marvin Harrison, and Justin Jefferson were chosen instead. Antonio Brown and Andre Johnson were named as members of the quarter-century team’s practice squad.

Packers fans may readily point to Jefferson as the player who could be trimmed from the list instead of Adams, The Vikings receiver has only played five NFL seasons during the 25-year span, and although he has won Offensive Player of the Year and had over 1,400 yards three times, some fans will feel the consistent quality of Adams during his decade-long career is more deserving of recognition.

Julius Peppers is the Lone Packers Player on the List

Julius Peppers was one of 4 edge players named to the roster, and is the only player to ever play for the Packers on the 53-man team. That being said, Peppers ended his career with Green Bay and is far better known for his time with the Carolina Panthers. He even had more productive seasons with Green Bay’s division rival, the Chicago Bears.

Charles Woodson Labeled as an Honorable Mention

At defensive back, Charles Woodson was judged to be a safety by ESPN’s analysts. The Super Bowl Champion missed out on the list behind Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu, Brian Dawkins, and Earl Thomas III, but was put on the practice squad.

Woodson was a four-time First-Team All-Pro and won Defensive Player of the Year in 2009. For him to miss out on the list was another interesting decision.