Packers History: Part III
Unfortunately, the next 10 years were filled with heartbreak as Favre’s Packers couldn’t quite get back to the big game.
The heartbreak included the 1998 Wildcard loss (Terrell Owens’ last-second catch game), the first playoff loss at Lambeau Field to Michael Vick’s Atlanta Falcons, the “4th and 26” playoff loss in Philadelphia to the Eagles, and of course the 2007 NFC Championship overtime loss to the New York Giants.
Stars like running back Ahman Green (the team’s all-time leading rusher), Donald Driver (the team’s all-time leading receiver), safety Darren Sharper (despite his despicable actions which have left him in prison), fullback William Henderson, linebacker Nick Barnett, left tackle Chad Clifton, defensive ends Aaron Kampman and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, and cornerback Al Harris kept coming up just short. Mike Sherman’s tenure as head coach of the Packers lasted from 2000-2005.
In 2002, the Packers lost their first ever playoff game at Lambeau Field to the Atlanta Falcons.
In 2006, the Packers signed free agent cornerback Charles Woodson and he immediately made a difference as a leader. That year the team bounced-back from a 4-12 season in 2005 and by 2007 they were back in the NFC Championship Game, but, like previously mentioned, lost in overtime following an ill-advised Favre interception.
During a controversial summer in 2008, Favre, a player that perennially contemplated retirement, was replaced by third-year quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The future Hall of Fame inductee caused quite a stir and went on to play with the New York Jets and the Minnesota Vikings for the next three seasons before retiring in 2010. Packers General Manager Ted Thompson was the man that let Favre walk (despite some heavy criticism at the time).
The Aaron Rodgers era kicked off with a 6-10 season in 2008, but after that it got exciting fast.
Rodgers showed amazing poise early in his career and didn’t let the pressure of following a legend negatively affect his game. Favre was gone, but he won over the fans quicker than most anticipated. His cerebral approach to the game was evident as he took less chances than his predecessor.
Surrounded by offensive players like wide receivers Driver, Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson, fullback John Kuhn, tackle Clifton, and guard Josh Sitton, Rodgers was able to lead the Packers back to the promised land in 2010. Of course it took defensive stars like cornerback/safety hybrid Charles Woodson, linebacker Clay Matthews, safety Nick Collins, cornerbacks Tramon Williams and Sam Shields, and nose tackle B.J. Raji to get there.
The Packers won the Super Bowl XLV in 2010 and the team seemed poised for many more runs to the Super Bowl. Thompson, like Wolf before him, was vindicated for his bold decisions. The following year Rodgers led the Packers to a 15-1 season, but the team lost in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
Green Bay’s 2011 season (15-1) was the highest win total in franchise history.
Rodgers was named AP MVP in 2011 and 2014 and, like Favre, was the undisputed best quarterback of his era (this is supposing that Peyton Manning and Tom Brady were in an era between Favre’s prime and Rodgers’ prime). No quarterback in league history has ever had the combination of Rodgers’ arm, legs and brains.
In 2015, he proved with his multiple successful “Hail Mary” passes that his Packers would never be out of a game.
Lambeau Field got it’s necessary renovations in 2012, following Rodgers’ Super Bowl win, just as it got renovations in the years following Favre’s Super Bowl win. Both quarterbacks had a hand in helping keep Lambeau Field modern, as did the fans that bought stock in the team to help pay for the much-needed changes.
Because of these renovations the franchise remained financially viable and, yet again, remained.
In 2015, Favre twice came back to Lambeau Field to officially mend his relationship with the fans. On the second occasion, Starr, the Packers’ original legendary quarterback, made an appearance. He came out to midfield at halftime of the game when Favre’s retired number was unveiled inside Lambeau Field for a moment too special to summarize. The two players hugged and all was forgiven. Rodgers’ Packers lost the game (to the bitter rival Bears), but that moment was bigger than a win or a loss.
As Favre left the field as halftime came to a close he ran into Rodgers and the two, in front of the fans, further cemented the fact that the relationship was mended.
Rodgers, like Favre did in the 2000s, has had his fill of heartbreak in recent years. The brutal playoff overtime losses in 2014 and 2015 immediately come to mind. In 2014, the Packers were one win from the Super Bowl, but relinquished a lead to the Seahawks in the final minutes of the game before losing in overtime.
In 2016, the team again made it within one game of the Super Bowl, but lost to the Atlanta Falcons. The core of Rodgers, wide receivers Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and defenders Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Mike Daniels failed to deliver.
But one thing Packers fans know is that this team always finds a way to bounce back.
The current edition of the Packers, the 2019 squad, is still led by Rodgers, but almost everything else has changed.
Wide receiver Davante Adams, running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, offensive linemen David Bahktiari, Bryan Bulaga, Corey Linsley lead the way on offense.
On defense, two 2019 offseason Free Agent signings Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Adrian Amos changed the culture of the defense. Along with Jaire Alexander, Kenny Clark, Blake Martinez and rookie Darnell Savage have the Packers winning games on the defensive side of the ball again.
Rodgers still has at least two to three years of his absolute prime left as a quarterback and this team, full of quality depth, will be looking to win at least one more Super Bowl championship during his tenure. He will go down as the highest-rated quarterback in NFL history, and perhaps as something more, by the time he retires.
The 2019 Packers won the NFC North and went 13-3. They beat the Seattle Seahawks in the postseason before falling to the San Fransisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.
Like every team in 2020, the Packers had to navigate COVID-19 while trying to get back to the NFC Conference Championship Game. Well, they did so brilliantly. They led the NFL in scoring and Aaron Rodgers (likely) secured his third AP MVP Award. Green Bay again won the NFC North and again made it within a game of the Super Bowl.
The 2020 season ended in heartbreaking fashion — again.
Obviously, this portion of Packers history will be updated over the next few years. Let’s hope that the franchise’s 14th World Championship will be written about sooner than later.
The Conclusion
It is clearly evident that no franchise has the combination of ancient and modern success in the NFL quite like the Green Bay Packers. They’ve won a championship in six different decades (more than any other franchise), which represent their success in all eras of NFL history from the days of no helmets to today’s acute awareness of helmets and head safety.
Packers history deserves to be remembered fondly and vividly; it is our hope that this website, and specifically this synopsis of Green Bay’s wonderfully jubilant and turbulent history, helps you do so.
Packers history has taught us that, in life, for every down there is an up. And for every heartbreak there will be another chance to celebrate. All you have to do is not lose hope.
Continually, and against all odds, the Packers found a way to remain (and thrive). And remain they shall.