By: Peyton Cox
Yes, the most recent No. 12 for the Green Bay Packers is a surefire, first-ballot Hall of Fame player. But if you’re calling Aaron Rodgers the greatest player to ever put on the green and gold, you’re likely just a prisoner of the moment.
California native Aaron Rodgers was the Packers’ starting quarterback for over 15 years, accumulating personal accolades that included four NFL MVP awards, 10 Pro Bowl appearances, and a Super Bowl win. He played his role in keeping the team competitive and relevant. But greatness in Green Bay isn’t just about talent and stats, it’s about embodying what it means to be a Packer. And when it comes to that, Aaron Rodgers falls short.
I say this not just as a football fan, but as someone whose entire family is from Green Bay. Despite living in Madison now, we hold season tickets and bleed green and gold. I say “Ope” too much, I love a good Friday fish fry, and I fully believe being a Packer means more than just being good at football. It means character, humility, leadership, and loyalty to the team and its people.
Rodgers brought the “smartest guy in the room” attitude to Lambeau and often made headlines for off-the-field drama. Yes, he played incredible football. But was he the greatest Packer? No. That title belongs to none other than No.15, Bart Starr.
Starr, who played for the Packers from 1956 to 1971, led the team to five NFL championships, including victories in the first two Super Bowls, where he was named the MVP in both. He remains the only quarterback in league history to lead a team to three straight league titles (1965-1967). And unlike Rodgers, Starr elevated not just his own legacy but the entire Green Bay Packers franchise.
A native of Montgomery, Alabama, Starr wasn’t flashy. He wasn’t loud. However, his leadership was rock-solid, and his impact was unmatched. He ran Vince Lombardi’s offense with surgical precision, building a dynasty in a tiny Wisconsin town that would soon become known as Titletown.
He was named the NFL MVP in 1966, made four Pro Bowl appearances, and led the league in passer rating five times. But more than anything, Starr embodied everything that the franchise stands for: team-first attitude, humility, consistency, and respect. Brett Favre, another Packers quarterback legend, said it best: “Bart Starr was the most kind, thoughtful, and classiest person you could ever know.”
Rodgers may have more MVPs, modern stats, and a bigger spotlight. But Starr had something even more valuable: a connection to the fan base, the city, and the soul of the Packers organization.
Rodgers’ legacy is built on personal success. Starr’s legacy is the Green Bay Packers.
So yes, Rodgers will go down as one of the greatest to ever play the position. But when we’re talking about the greatest Packer of all time, the one who best represented the franchise on and off the field, it’s Bart Starr. No debate.
Sorry, Aaron Rodgers. But not really.
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