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Before landing with the New York Jets, there was some speculation that four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers would wind up with the San Francisco 49ers.
Ahead of the Jets season opener against the Niners in the first Monday Night Football matchup of the 2024/25 season, Aaron Rodgers was asked about if he’s ever considered what it would have been like to play for the 49ers under renowned head coach Kyle Shanahan.
“I’ve thought about that from time to time, and I’ve had conversations with people who think that’s an interesting idea,” Rodgers said in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle. “I don’t know; it’s one of those ‘what if?’ things. He is a phenomenal play-caller. I think he’s a fantastic coach. I think anything can work if two people can find a common ground. The common ground for great relationships is respect.”
Rodgers unsurprisingly believes that he and Shanahan would’ve made a deadly offensive combination. Seeing what Shanahan has done with Brock Purdy, it’s difficult to disagree with the future Hall of Famer’s assessment.
“So, even though Kyle seems to be — I don’t know what the right word is, cause I’m kind of speaking out of turn and don’t know him that well — but he seems to be very headstrong, which I think is a phenomenal attribute,” Rodgers said. “It’s almost like, had that imaginary world happened, with his genius, what would you actually need to change? [I feel like] it would work because he’s a genius and I have a lot of years of experience.”
Rodgers and the Jets will get to prove whether or not they’re truly Super Bowl contenders this season as they’ll be taking on the defending NFC champions in a primetime matchup. The Jets’ game against the 49ers will also be the first time that Rodgers has seen live football since tearing his Achilles just four plays into his debut season with Gang Green. The 49ers head into the matchup favored by 4.5 points.