Remembering Aaron Rodgers' Hellish NFL Draft War Room Experience

Aaron Rodgers has gone on to have a star-studded career filled with MVPs, a Super Bowl, and many playoff appearances with the Green Bay Packers. But Rewind 15 years to Rodgers' awful draft night experience, and his great career felt less likely.

After a solid junior year at Cal during which he threw for over 2,500 yards and 24 touchdowns, scouts raved about his arm talent and mechanics. It all seemed like a fairy tale was happening for Rodgers. He was set to become the first overall selection and land with the San Francisco 49ers, the team he rooted for as a child. His favorite quarterback was Joe Montana, and now he thought he was going to get a chance to bring the glory days back to the Bay Area.

As Paul Tagliabue announced the first pick, Rodgers' dreams were crushed. The Niners selected Alex Smith to become their next franchise quarterback.

After San Francisco, not many teams needed a quarterback. This was a recipe for disaster for Rodgers. He waited and waited until the 24th pick when Green Bay selected him. There are so many saddening pictures of Rodgers waiting until the war room was almost empty. He was one of six prospects invited to the NFL Draft and the other five were taken in the first eight selections.

In the end, we don't know how his career would've turned out if he went to the 49ers, but Rodgers wouldn't have it any other way. He was able to learn under legend Brett Favre, and then ushered in another era of greatness in Green Bay full of legendary moments that Packers fans will never forget.