When the Green Bay Packers selected Aaron Rodgers late in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, there weren't any complaints from Donald Driver, as he thought the San Francisco 49ers should've used the first overall pick on the California quarterback.
But the Packers' all-time leader in receiving yards didn't expect the franchise to trade up for a quarterback prospect last spring. He was blindsided by Green Bay's first-round selection of Jordan Love, just like everyone else.
"I think everyone was shocked. I think everyone was shocked and thought that they were going to get some receivers," Driver told The Zach Gelb Show on Thursday. "They have Davante [Adams]. But I'll say this: being a part of that organization as long as I was, they always want to build in-house. I mean, they drafted receiver after receiver after receiver to come in and either be with me or take my position. And you've just got to trust the guys. You've got to trust the organization that they really care for you, and they're doing what's best for the organization. And I think they've done that..."
Rodgers, who won his third league MVP award last season, has remained noncommittal on whether he'll play for the Packers in 2021. In the last month alone, there's been incessant chatter on his frustration with Green Bay's front office, his potential threat to retire, and his desire for a restructured contract.
Driver isn't actively in communication with Rodgers, so his prediction on how the tense situation will play out can be best described as, well, who knows.
"I'll say this: I think we're all spectators. This is what we do every single day, we speculate on what the opportunity could be," Driver said. "I'm not sure what Aaron's going to do. The only person who knows that is Aaron -- and the organization. But he's going to always be a legend there. He's going to always be a Green Bay Packer, if he leaves or if he stays.
"Either way, he's going to be a Hall of Famer. And I'm just blessed to be able to say that I played with two Hall of Fame quarterbacks [in Rodgers and Brett Favre], and hopefully he'll give me some type of recognition when he's on that stage."
According to Spotrac.com, Rodgers has three years remaining on his contract with the Packers, and the 37-year-old's cap hit of $37.2 million this upcoming season is expected to lead the league.
The entire conversation between Driver and Gelb can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow The Zach Gelb Show on Twitter @ZachGelb and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram