September 27, 1992. That’s the day Brett Favre’s great streak began. That’s the day the back-up quarterback position in Green Bay became one of the safest jobs in professional sports. Other than a few snaps in garbage time, the opportunities were slim to none.
Don Majkowski was the starter in Green Bay, whose injury opened the door for Brett Favre. Majkowski would never get a chance to reclaim the starting job after 1992. In 1994, he threw for 1000 yards in Indianapolis with 6 TDs in a part-time role, which was his most playing time after 1992.
Ty Detmer went on to play successfully in Philadephia (pre-Donovan McNabb) in 1996 and 1997, posting 2900 yards and 15 TDs and a playoff appearance in 1996. Detmer was on 5 teams in 7 NFL seasons.
Mark Brunell led the Jaguars to two AFC Championship games. He was promptly traded after his rookie year in Green Bay in 1993 with Brett Favre securely in the starting quarterback role. After 9 successful seasons in Jacksonville, Brunell renewed his career in Washington, now in his 4th season. Brunell had 5 seasons of 3,000+ yards and 7 seasons of 15+ TDs in Jacksonville and a great 2005 campaign in Washington.
TJ Rubley had only one other season in the NFL other than backing up Brett Favre in 1995. He threw for 1300 yards and 8 TDs for the Rams in 1993.
Jim McMahon finished his career in Green Bay, backing up Brett Favre, after winning a Super Bowl with rival Chicago in 1985. His seasons in Green Bay were his 14th and 15th in the NFL, throwing only 5 total passes in a reserve role those two seasons.
Doug Pederson was Brett Favre’s back-up in 7 of his 10 NFL seasons, never throwing more than 28 yards in a season with the Packers. Pederson saw playing time with Philadelphia and Cleveland in 1999 and 2000, throwing over 400 passes in those seasons.
Steve Bono was only in Green Bay one season (1997), throwing 10 passes for 29 yards when Brett Favre was on the bench at the end of blow-outs. Bono was the starter in Kansas City for two seasons, highlighted in 1995 with 3100 yards, 21 TDs, 10 INTs and a playoff apearance.
Matt Hasselback led the Seattle Seahawks to Super Bowl XL. After his first two seasons backing up Brett Favre in Green Bay (29 pass attempts total), Hasselbeck has spent the past 7 years in Seattle throwing 119 TDs, 76 INTs and over 19,000 yards. The Seahawks made the playoffs from 2003 to 2006.
Aaron Brooks spent the 1999 season as the third-string quarterback under Brett Favre in Green Bay, failing to see the field. Brooks went on the start in New Orleans for 5 seasons, including the playoffs in 2000. Brooks had 4 consecutive seasons with 3500+ yards and 20+ TDs.
J.T. O’Sullivan did not attempt a pass in Green Bay in 2004 with ironman Brett Favre under center. He has seen playing time in 2007 with Detroit.
Aaron Rodgers was drafted in the 1st round in 2005 and seen as the predecesor to Brett Favre in Green Bay. There have been times when Favre might hang up the cleats for retirement, but it hasn’t happened yet. Other than preseason snaps, Rodgers has managed 31 pass attempts in two seasons for 111 yards and an interception.
Craig Nall was successful in his limited playing time under Brett Favre in 2004 with 23 completions in 33 attempts for 314 yards and 4 TDs. Since that season, Nall hasn’t thrown a pass in an NFL regular season game.
