Aaron Rodgers in 2010
Aaron Rodgers in 2010 (Photo by MPH Photos on Shutterstock)
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Best Packers Players Of All Time: Top 5 Green Bay Athletes, According To Experts

August 23, 2023
by Janelle Davis

The Green Bay Packers have a history that is rivaled by few in the NFL. The team has been winning championships for nearly 100 years, so there is quite a wide pool to pull from when trying to decide on the best Packers players of all time. Below is our list of five of the greats, constructed from expert sports sites.

The Green Bay Packers, one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, have seen their fair share of legendary players throughout their illustrious history. At the top of the list stands Bart Starr, the quarterback who led the Packers to five NFL championships, including the first two Super Bowls, earning him three Super Bowl MVP awards.

The franchise’s modern era was defined by Brett Favre, the gunslinger quarterback known for his rocket arm and infectious enthusiasm, who brought a resurgence to the Packers in the 1990s, securing three MVP titles. In recent times, Aaron Rodgers has carried the torch, displaying incredible precision and football IQ as he led the team to another Super Bowl victory in 2010 while collecting multiple MVP awards.

So, which players are considered the greatest in Packers history? StudyFinds did the research, consulting 10 football and sports-related websites to bring you a list of the best Packers players of all time. Our list comprises the five most frequently listed football legends from across these sites. Were your favorite Packers players left off the list? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below! 

Wilson football on the football field
Football on a football field (Photo by Dave Adamson on Unsplash)

The List: Best Packers Players, According to Fans

1. Bart Starr

Starr’s list of accolades doesn’t include the typical number of Pro Bowls or All-Pro selections, but there is no doubt he has a legacy. “As the quarterback of the Packers, Starr led many incredible seasons and is one of the winningest quarterbacks in history. He took over as starter in 1957, and by the time he was done playing in 1971, he had accumulated five championships,” shares Rookie Road.

Bart Starr was a two-time Super Bowl champion, winning MVP both times. “Bart was a five-time NFL champion before the inception of the Super Bowl, and he led the league in passer rating and completion percentage five and four times, respectively,” says The Sportster. Starr’s remarkable achievements extended beyond his Super Bowl victories. He showcased his exceptional skills by leading the league in passer rating and completion percentage multiple times.

When you think of the Green Bay Packers and their great history, Bart Starr is automatically the first name that comes to mind. “Before Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw, and even Tom Brady, Bart Starr had won more NFL championships than any other quarterback,” shares Wisconsin Heroics.

2. Aaron Rodgers

How do you replace a legend like Brett Favre? Just insert a future legend like Aaron Rodgers here. “Rodgers is a four-time MVP with a Super Bowl ring to his credit. He’s also been selected for 10 Pro Bowls and is a four-time first-team All-Pro, certainly earning the distinction of being one of the best in his era,” says Sports Illustrated.

Many think Rogers to be one of the most talented quarterbacks of all time, with a four-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl winner. “Rogers has the greatest TD-INT ratio in history (4.83–1). He is the back-to-back reigning MVP after throwing 85 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. Rodgers does not turn the ball over (lowest interception percentage in history at 1.3%),” boasts sportsnaut.com. 

Aaron Rodgers has never slowed down. “Rodgers became a prolific passer in the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, unleashing an aerial assault on the league. The four-time MVP won the Super Bowl with the Packers in 2010 and is one of the best quarterbacks of his era. With Rodgers at quarterback, the Packers were always Super Bowl contenders,” says Yardbarker. 

3. Brett Favre

It is no surprise to anyone that Brett Favre is on the list of the best Packers players of all time. “The man delivered a Super Bowl win for the team and was named the NFL’s MVP three years in a row while leading the Packers. His records and accolades are incredible, and he’s also one of the few men to complete a 99-yard touchdown pass. As far as the nineties go, Brett Favre might just be one of the greatest players from that decade,” says The Sportster.

Some think Brett Favre is the definition of football. At the time he retired in 2011, he held every major statistical passing record in NFL history. “Brett Favre was not someone projected to break most of the NFL passing records when the Atlanta Falcons out of Southern Mississippi drafted him, but Green Bay (specifically Ron Wolf) did when they pulled the trigger on a trade to land one of the greatest gunslingers of all time,” states Not In Hall Of Fame.

Favre had a gunslinging mentality. This mentality, in addition to his toughness, was what made him unique. “Favre’s record for most consecutive NFL starts (327, including playoffs) will not be broken for a long, long time. His stretch from 1996–1998 was one of the most dominant stretches in NFL history, when the legendary quarterback won three consecutive MVPs and a Super Bowl MVP. The 11-time Pro-Bowl selection and six-time All-Pro is one of the greatest and most electrifying quarterbacks in NFL history. Nobody knows that better than Packers fans,” shares sportsnaut.com.

4. Forrest Gregg

How good must it feel to have Vince Lombardi call you the finest player he ever coached in his book “Run to Daylight?” “Gregg and Jim Ringo are in the NFL Hall of Fame, which to many is a travesty, especially because of Kramer’s omission. Gregg was named All-Pro nine times and was named to the Pro Bowl nine times as well. Besides being in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Gregg is also in the Packer Hall of Fame. Gregg played on five NFL championship teams. Gregg also coached the Packers from 1984–1987,” states the Bleacher Report.

Forrest Gregg is arguably the greatest right tackle in NFL history. “Forrest’s versatility can’t be overlooked, as he earned seven first-team All-Pro honors, six at tackle, and then one after kicking inside to right guard in 1965 when injuries created the need,” shares Sports Illustrated. Gregg’s exceptional skills and adaptability allowed him to excel in multiple positions on the offensive line. His ability to seamlessly transition from tackle to guard demonstrates his versatility and makes him one of the most accomplished players in NFL history. 

Gregg played 188 consecutive games, went to nine Pro Bowls, and won five NFL championships. The native Texan has a strong argument as the best Packer ever. “A member of the NFL all-time team as selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994, Gregg was a Lombardi Packer who won five titles while being one of the top players to ever play his position. Even Deacon Jones said he was the best,” offers NFL.com.

5. Don Hutson

Not only is Hutson one of the best wide receivers in NFL history, but he is one of the best to ever play for the Packers. “Hutson was a level above the rest, leading the league in receptions eight times and receiving yards seven times. In 1942, Hutson won the Joe F. Carr trophy, the equivalent of the MVP award in today’s NFL,” offers Rookie Road.

The NFL game today has eye-popping passing and receiving numbers. Hutson was the first NFL receiver to have a 1,000-yard season. “Over the last 30 years, wide receivers like Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, and many others have made their name by putting up ridiculous receiving numbers. They owe this facet of the NFL’s receiving game to Don Hutson, who revolutionized the position,” explains Wisconsin Heroics.

Hutson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963. “Don Hutson was a three-time NFL champion who was a member of both the NFL 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.  Hutson, who was also a two-time National Football League MVP, is also thought of as the first true wide receiver in the game of football,” says Not In Hall Of Fame.

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