Biographer Reveals Petty Reason Aaron Rodgers Still Has Grudge Against Packers

Some believe that Aaron Rodgers forced his way out of Green Bay and to New York nearly a year-and-a-half ago, but the 40-year-old quarterback views what went down through a vastly different lens, according to biographer Ian O’Connor.

While writing his latest book “Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers,” O’Connor dove into seemingly every minute detail of Rodgers’ career, including his trade from the Packers to the Jets during the 2023 offseason.

During an appearance on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” on Tuesday, O’Connor shared that there’s still some bad blood between the two sides and that Rodgers still harbors some resentment toward his former team.

“Aaron holds a grudge like he holds the football: with a very firm grip,” O’Connor said . “…There’s no question if you asked Aaron which team he’d like to face in the Super Bowl as a member of the New York Jets it’s the Green Bay Packers. And that’s what fuels these guys — real or imagine slights. And let’s face it, yeah, he wanted the trade and he got the trade, but it was more like a firing to me. I think the Packers wanted to fire him, and I think he knows that and I think he’ll never forget.”

It's no secret that Rodgers has a vindictive streak (see Jimmy Kimmel). He’s a master of keeping receipts and his ability to use his spitefulness as motivation is second-to-none.

And it’s worked for him so far. Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP, a five-time All-Pro selection, a 10-time Pro Bowler, a Super Bowl MVP and a Super Bowl champion. His pettiness has taken him this far, so who's to say he should stop now?

“This is a guy, who out of high school, didn’t have a single scholarship offer,” O’Connor added. “He gets humiliated at the draft. … Those things adds up to that gigantic chip on his shoulder that still has not gone away.”