Key Start Dates for Aaron Rodgers with the Packers
These dates reflect when Aaron Rodgers officially started for the Packers, with context on contract years and performance. All verifiable milestones are cited from league records and team announcements.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Week 10, 2008 | First NFL start (vs. Detroit Lions) | Became the Packers' starting quarterback during the 2008 season. |
| 2010 | Signed six-year, $65 million extension (June) | Secured his role as starter and team leader through 2015. |
| 2011 | Won Super Bowl XLV | Led the Packers to a championship as the starter. |
| 2016 | Signed eight-year, $134 million extension (April) | Committed to long-term starter status through 2021. |
| 2023 | Released by Packers, signed with New York Jets | End of tenure as Packers starter; final start was Week 18, 2022. |
Early NFL Start (2008)
Before Week 10 of the 2008 season, the Packers had used a rotation at quarterback that included Brett Favre and second-round pick Brian Brohm. When Favre left the game against the Detroit Lions with an injury, Rodgers entered and led the Packers to a victory. Head coach Mike McCarthy named Rodgers the starter for the following week, cementing him at the position before the playoffs and into the next decade.
Contract Extensions and Stability (2010, 2016)
Rodgers’ first major extension came in 2010, a six-year deal worth $65 million that included $32.75 million guaranteed. This positioned him as the long-term quarterback through 2015. After another strong stretch that included a Super Bowl win and multiple division titles, he signed an eight-year, $134 million extension in April 2016. This second deal extended his tenure as the Packers’ starter through the 2021 season and included significant roster and salary commitments.
Championship and Consistent Performance (2010–2019)
Under Rodgers, the Packers reached the playoffs eight times from 2009 to 2019, winning the NFC North six times. His leadership and arm talent produced some of the most efficient passing seasons in NFL history, including a 122.5 passer rating in 2011 and a 121.2 rating in 2014. Between 2010 and 2019, he maintained a career-high level of play that reinforced his status as a franchise cornerstone.
End of Tenure (2022–2023)
By 2022, Rodgers was in the final year of his 2016 extension. The Packers traded him to the New York Jets in March 2023. His last start as a Packer came in Week 18 of the 2022 regular season. The transition marked the end of an era in Green Bay and shifted the starting quarterback responsibility to a new signal-caller.