Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers may not be as popular as he used to be among fans, but there is no denying his special place in franchise and NFL history. In 18 seasons with the Packers, the future Pro Football Hall of Famer threw 475 touchdowns against just 105 interceptions. His 103.6 passer rating is the highest in franchise history, and his current career 102.9 passer rating is an NFL record.
A four-time NFL MVP and one-time Super Bowl MVP, Rodgers is one of the most talented quarterbacks to ever play the game. His knowledge and understanding of the game are rivaled by none, as can be seen when he discusses football, breaks down plays, and recalls schemes and decisions from well over a decade ago.
Due to his football acumen, many believed that his post playing career would take a similar path as that of his contemporary, seven-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady, who is now an analyst for Fox.
However, a recent report states that Rodgers is planning on a career in politics and even may make a run for the White House instead.
Former Green Bay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers Reportedly Wants to Be President of the United States
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Earlier this year, as the race for President of the United States was still ramping up, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reportedly asked Rodgers to consider being his running mate in the election. Kennedy, at the time, was running as an Independent and had the former Packers quarterback on his short list for potential Vice President picks.
Rodgers, though, did not want to retire from the New York Jets to pursue a career in politics. Kennedy ended up dropping out of the race anyway and endorsed President-elect Donald Trump. He also has accepted a Cabinet post in Trump’s upcoming administration.
But just because Rodgers turned down the opportunity to start a political career in 2024 does not mean he has ruled it out in the future. In fact, a recent report states that the sure-fire Hall of Famer has his sights set on the highest office in the nation.
“‘After his playing career ends, he will be asked to be a TV analyst and commentator but that isn’t something Aaron is very interested in doing,’ a source told DailyMail.com.
“‘But his post-playing days intentions are political. If it made sense, he would run for President or at least consider being a running mate in the way that RFK Jr. wanted him to be this year. Once he is retired, he would have no problem attempting to try his hand for political office.
“‘It is a very big realm of possibility for something that Aaron would like to try his hand at. It just makes sense to him and is something that interests him. 2028 is far away, but Aaron will be retired by then, and to start a career in politics is right up his alley and something he will take seriously.'”
If this report is true, and if Rodgers does want to run for political office, he would certainly not be the first NFL player to enter the political realm. He wouldn’t even be the first former Packers player to do so.
Former Green Bay Packers and Other NFL Stars Who Became Politicians
LaVern Dilweg, a Milwaukee native, studied law at Marquette University and played football there in the mid-to-late 1920’s. After being admitted to the Wisconsin Bar in 1927, he started practicing law in Green Bay. He also happened to play for the Packers during that time, practicing and playing in the mornings and then going to work at his practice in the afternoons.
He played for the Packers from 1927-1934, being named All-Pro five times. He is one of only two members of the NFL’s 1920’s All-Decade Team not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
After his playing days were over, Dilweg served as a US Congressman from 1943-1945. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed him to the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission.
Edward J. King was a guard and defensive end for the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Colts. He served as the Governor of Massachusetts from 1979-1983.
Jack Kemp, who played quarterback for the Bill from 1962-1969, was a US Representative from New York who held office from 1971-1989. He was also a candidate for President in 1988 but bowed out of the race in favor of his former Republican George Bush. It was a move that paid off for him, though, as Bush made him the US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Bob Dole chose Kemp as his running mate in the 1996 Presidential election, which they lost to Bill Clinton and Al Gore.
Steve Largent is a Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver who played for the Seattle Seahawks from 1976-1989. He was a US Representative from Oklahoma from 1995-2003.
Jon Runyan Sr., the father of former Packers guard Jon Runyan Jr., now works for the NFL. But in between his own playing days and his days working with Roger Goodell, Runyan served as a US Representative from New Jersey from 2011-2015.
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