Training camp and preseason football is all about assembling the best team possible. That means many of the players who show up will not end up making the team. In this article, we look at the best Packers’ players who never played a regular season game for the team.
#5- Johnny Strzykalski
Johnny Strzykalski had the pedigree to be a Green Bay legend. Strzykalski was born in Milwaukee in 1921 and was the star running back of Marquette’s football team (back when they had one). The Packers selected the home state hero with the sixth overall pick in the 1946 draft. Strzykalski, though, never played a game for the Pack.
Strzykalski ended up playing his entire career for the San Francisco 49ers, including 1946, which was their first year as a franchise. The Milwaukee-native led the league in yard per carry twice (1947 and 1948) and was named to the Pro Bowl in 1950. Offensively, he scored 31 touchdowns during the course of his seven-year career. In addition, he recorded eight career interceptions while spending some time playing defense as well.
#4- Timmy Brown
Not to be mistaken for Tim Brown, the Hall of Fame wide receiver, Timmy Brown was a Pro Bowl running back and kick returner. The problem for the Packers is that none of this success came for Green Bay. The Packers drafted Brown in 1959. While Brown did suit up for one game, he never got on the field.
In 1960, Timmy Brown played the first of eight seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, winning a championship with the team that year. He led the NFL in kick return and all-purpose yards twice. In addition, Brown was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and scored 62 touchdowns throughout his career.
Timmy Brown’s last career game was Super Bowl III as a member of the Baltimore Colts. Upon retirement, Brown became a full-time actor. He is best known for his role as Captain “Spearchucker” Jones in M*A*S*H.
#3- Aaron Brooks
The Packers drafted Aaron Brooks in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL draft. He actually spent the entire 1999 season with the team. However, Brett Favre was firmly established as the starting quarterback and was already a living legend in Green Bay. The backup quarterback role was held by Matt Hasselbeck, so Brooks saw absolutely no game action during the regular season. He was traded to New Orleans prior to the 2000 season.
In New Orleans, Aaron Brooks would have a very good career for himself. Prior to Drew Brees coming along, Brooks held many of the New Orleans passing records. He ended his career with 20,261 passing yards and 123 passing touchdowns. Not too bad for a fourth round pick and the third best quarterback on the Packers’ 1999 roster.
#2- Kurt Warner
The Hall of Fame quarter back, best known for his time in St. Louis, began his career with the Green Bay Packers. The Packers signed Warner as an undrafted free agent prior to the 1994 season. However, Brett Favre was preparing for his first full season as the starter, and Ty Detmer and Mark Brunell were also on the Packers’ roster.
After spending three years working in a grocery store and playing in the Arena League, Warner was signed by the Rams to back up Trent Green. When Green got hurt, Warner took the starting job and started his road to the Hall of Fame. He led the NFL in touchdown passes twice, making four Pro Bowls during his career. He also led the Rams to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, winning the title in 1999.
After a few down seasons, Warner resurrected his career in Arizona. He made his final Pro Bowl with the Cards in 2008 while leading the team to a Super Bowl appearance. Warner is one of two quarterbacks to take two different teams to Super Bowl appearances (Peyton Manning).
#1- Eric Dickerson
Eric Dickerson is one of the most accomplished running backs in the history of the NFL. He still holds the record for most rushing yards in a season (2,105) and was the first back to rush for 1,000 yards in seven straight seasons.
One month into the 1993 season, the Atlanta Falcons agreed to trade Dickerson to the Packers. However, Dickerson failed his team physical and the trade was voided. Whether or not he was ever officially a member of the Packers can be a point of debate, but for our purposes, he was a Packer for at least a few days.
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