Packers all-time team features three of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history

Packers all-time team features three of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history

While the NFL is getting ready to celebrate its 100th season in 2019, Green Bay is about to enter year 99 as the smallest city in the league. The Packers have played in the postseason 35 times and won 13 titles, with 11 coming during the reigns of legendary head coaches Earl “Curly” Lambeau and Vince Lombardi.

Green Bay has 19 Hall of Fame players scattered throughout the roster, but no position features more talent than quarterback. Two players already have a bust in Canton, and a third is well on his way to that honor. 

Head Coach: Lombardi had an 89-29-4 record and led the Packers to postseason play six times in nine years. Green Bay won five championships, including the first two Super Bowls, and went 9-1 in the playoffs. The only blemish was a 17-13 loss to the Eagles in the 1960 NFL Championship Game. Lambeau was the owner and coach for the team’s first 29 years and amassed a 209-104-21 record. The Packers won three straight titles (1929-31), including a 12-0-1 mark the first year. Green Bay won six championships in all under his watch. Mike McCarthy led the club to a 125-77-2 record in 13 years before being let go during the 2018 season. Green Bay won Super Bowl XLV over the Steelers and lost in the NFC Championship Game three times. Mike Holmgren went 75-37 and led the Packers to a victory in Super Bowl XXXI for their first championship in 29 years. Green Bay won the NFC the following season, but fell to the Broncos in the Super Bowl. Mike Sherman led the Packers to a 57-39 record in six seasons. The team went to the playoffs four times but never made it past the Division round. 

Quarterback: Brett Favre is third all-time in passing yards and fourth in touchdown passes, amassing 61,665 yards and 442 scores in 16 seasons with the club. He was the league MVP three straight years (1995-97), went to nine Pro Bowls, and was a three-time All-Pro. Favre threw for 3,000 or more yards every season in Green Bay and reached 4,000 yards five times. He led the NFL in touchdown passes four times and helped the Packers reach two Super Bowls. Not only did Starr play in the first two Super Bowls, but his team also won twice and he was the game MVP both times. He won five championships overall and was the league MVP in 1966. Starr, who passed away in late May, also was a four-time Pro Bowler. Aaron Rodgers may soon join Favre and Starr in the Hall of Fame. He is a two-time NFL MVP, a seven-time Pro Bowler, and a two-time All-Pro. His 42,944 yards includes seven seasons with 4,000 or more, to go along with 338 scoring passes. Rodgers was the MVP of Green Bay’s victory in Super Bowl XLV. 

Running Back: Hall of Famer Paul Hornung was a part of four championship teams, including the first Super Bowl. He is third in team history with 50 touchdowns, including a league-high 13 in 1960, and he was the league’s MVP the following year. Hornung was a two-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro despite missing the entire 1963 season due to a gambling suspension. Ahman Green is the team’s all-time leading rusher with 8,322 yards and is second with 54 scores. He ran for 1,000 or more yards six times, and was a four-time Pro Bowler. Green’s 1,883 yards in 2003 is the highest single-season total in franchise history. Hall of Famer Tony Canadeo was an All-Pro in 1943 and a key piece in the team’s championship the following season. His 4,197 yards includes 1,052 in 1949. Ryan Grant had 4,143 yards in six seasons, including 1,253 in 2009. He also was a member of the Super Bowl XLV championship team the next year. Dorsey Levens ran for 1,435 yards in his 1997 Pro Bowl season, and he also played in two Super Bowls. 

Fullback: Jim Taylor was a Hall of Famer who ranked first in team history with 81 touchdowns and second with 8,207 yards. He was the NFL’s MVP in 1962 when he led the league with 1,474 yards and 19 scores. Taylor won four championships, was named to five Pro Bowls and had five seasons with 1,000 or more yards. John Brockington went to three Pro Bowls and his 5,024 yards includes three seasons with 1,000 or more. He was an All-Pro and the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1971, when he ran for 1,105 yards. Hall of Famer Clarke Hinkle was a four-time All-Pro, a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time champion during the 1930s. William Henderson played in two Super Bowls and was a Pro Bowler and All-Pro in 2004.

Wide Receiver: Don Hutson is the team’s all-time leader with 99 receiving touchdowns to go along with 7,991 yards. The Hall of Famer was a two-time Joe Carr MVP Award winner, an eight-time All-Pro, a four-time Pro Bowler and a three-time champion. He also had 30 interceptions on defense. Donald Driver tops the team list with 743 receptions and 10,137 yards along with 61 scores. He had seven seasons with 1,000 or more yards, was a three-time Pro Bowler and played in two Super Bowls. Hall of Famer James Lofton ranks second with 9,656 yards and he also had 49 touchdowns. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler, an All-Pro in 1981, and he had five seasons with 1,000 or more yards. Sterling Sharpe ranks second with 595 catches and third with 8,134 yards and 65 touchdowns. He was a five-time Pro Bowler, a three-time All-Pro, and he led the league with 18 scores in 1994. Jordy Nelson is second with 69 touchdowns, third with 550 receptions and fifth with 7,848 yards. He played in Super Bowl XLV and was a Pro Bowler in 2014, when he had 1,519 yards. Boyd Dowler registered 6,918 yards, was a part of five championship teams and made two Pro Bowls. Antonio Freeman had 6,651 yards and 57 touchdowns. He played in two Super Bowls and was a Pro Bowler and All-Pro in 1998. Greg Jennings totaled 6,537 yards and 53 scores. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and played in Super Bowl XLV. Max McGee had 6,346 yards and 50 touchdowns. He was a five-time champion and a Pro Bowler in 1961. 

Tight End: Paul Coffman was a three-time Pro Bowler who had 4,223 yards and 39 touchdowns, including 11 in 1983. Daniel “Bubba” Franks also was selected to three Pro Bowls. He had 32 scores, with nine in 2001. 

Tackle: Hall of Famer Forrest Gregg was selected to nine Pro Bowls and seven All-Pro teams. He played in 187 games and was a five-time champion. Chad Clifton played 165 games in 12 seasons. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and appeared in Super Bowl XLV. Mark Tauscher played 134 games and started opposite Clifton on the championship team. Ken Ruettgers started 140 games in 12 years and appeared in Super Bowl XXXI. David Bakhtiari was an All-Pro in 2018 and a Pro Bowler in 2016. Bryan Bulaga was a member of the 2010 All-Rookie Team and played in Super Bowl XLV. 

Guard: Jerry Kramer did not become a Hall of Famer until 50 years after his playing career ended. He was a five-time champion, a five-time All-Pro and a three-time Pro Bowler. Frederick “Fuzzy” Thurston, was a part of six title teams and an All-Pro in 1961. Gale Gillingham played in two Super Bowls, and he was a five-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro. Hall of Famer Mike Michalske was a three-time champion and a three-time All-Pro. Josh Sitton went to three Pro Bowls and played in Super Bowl XLV. 

Center: Hall of Famer Jim Ringo was a seven-time Pro Bowler, a six-time All-Pro and a two-time champion. Charlie Brock was a part of two championship teams in the 1940s. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1945. Frank Winters played 156 games and was a Pro Bowler in the Super Bowl XXXI championship season. Larry McCarron played 12 seasons in Green Bay and was a two-time Pro Bowler. Ken Bowman was a part of three championship teams, including the first two Super Bowls. 

Defensive End: Reggie White’s signing helped bring the Packers back to relevance. The Hall of Famer appeared in two Super Bowls, made the Pro Bowl all six seasons in Green Bay and was named an All-Pro twice. “The Reverend” is third with 68½ sacks, including 16 in 1998, when he was the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila is second with 74½ sacks. He is the franchise’s all-time leader with 16 forced fumbles and was a Pro Bowler in 2003. Aaron Kampman played in Super Bowl XLV, was a two-time Pro Bowler and is fifth with 54 sacks, including 15½ in 2006. Hall of Famer Willie Davis was a five-time champion who also was selected to five Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams. He is second in team history with 22 fumbles recovered. Ezra Johnson was a 1978 Pro Bowler who had 41½ sacks, including 14½ in 1983. 

Defensive Tackle: Hall of Famer Henry Jordan was a five-time champion, a five-time All-Pro and a four-time Pro Bowler. Dave Hanner won two titles, was selected to a pair of Pro Bowls and played in 160 games while appearing at both tackle spots. Ryan Pickett played 119 games, the most important of which was Super Bowl XLV. Ron Kostelnik backed up Hanner in the 1960-61 championship seasons then won three more titles as a starter. B. J. Raji played in Super Bowl XLV and was a Pro Bowler in 2011. 

Outside Linebacker: Clay Matthews is the all-time franchise leader with 83½ sacks, including four seasons with 10 or more. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in the 2010 Super Bowl season, when he had 13½ sacks. Hall of Famer Dave Robinson was a three-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1967. The three-time champion also totaled 21 interceptions. Tim Harris is fourth with 55 sacks, including 13½ in 1988 and 19½ the following year. Bill Forrester was a two-time title-winner who picked off 21 passes. He was selected to four Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams. John Anderson totaled 25 interceptions, 19½ sacks and 15 fumbles recovered. Fred Carr is a three-time Pro Bowler who recovered 15 fumbles in 10 seasons. 

Middle/Inside Linebacker: Hall of Famer Ray Nitschke was a five-time champion, a two-time All-Pro and a Pro Bowler in 1964. He picked off 25 passes and tops the team list with 23 fumble recoveries. A. J. Hawk is the all-time franchise leader with 925 tackles, with five seasons of 100 or more. He was a member of the 2006 All-Rookie Team and played in Super Bowl XLV. Hawk’s championship teammate, Nick Barnett, ranks third with 787 tackles and also tallied 15½ sacks. 

Cornerback: Hall of Famer Herb Adderley ranks third with 39 interceptions, with seven returned for touchdowns. He was a five-time champion, a five-time Pro Bowler and a four-time All-Pro. Charles Woodson picked off 38 passes and scored nine touchdowns. He was a four-time Pro Bowler, a two-time All-Pro, and he played in Super Bowl XLV. Bob Jeter had 23 interceptions, including eight in his 1967 All-Pro season. He is a two-time Pro Bowler and a three-time champion. Mark Lee had 31 picks in 11 years, mostly in the 1980s. Tramon Williams picked off 28 passes, including six in the 2010 Pro Bowl and Super Bowls season. Willie Buchanon was a two-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1978, when he registered nine of his 21 interceptions. 

Safety: Willie Wood is a Hall of Famer and a five-time champion. He was selected to eight Pro Bowls, five All-Pro teams, and he ranks second with 48 interceptions. Bobby Dillon is the all-time franchise leader with 52 picks, returning five for scores. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and a four-time All-Pro. LeRoy Butler is tied for fifth with 38 interceptions and is second with 889 tackles. He was a four-time Pro Bowler, a four-time All-Pro and a two-time Super Bowl participant. Darren Sharper had 36 picks and brought back five for touchdowns. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 2000. 

Kicker: Mason Crosby is the all-time franchise leader with 1,469 points, including 11 seasons with 100 or more and 141 as a rookie in 2007. Ryan Longwell had eight seasons of 100 or more points and 1,054 overall. Chris Jacke kicked in Super Bowl XXXI and had 820 points, including 128 in his All-Pro 1993 season. 

Punter: Tim Masthay was a participant in Super Bowl XLV and is second in franchise history with a 44.2-yard average in six years. David Beverly is the team leader with 495 punts and 18,785 yards, including four seasons with 3,000 or more. Donny Anderson played in two Super Bowls and was a Pro Bowler in 1968. 

Returners: Steve Odom was a 1975 Pro Bowler and the team’s all-time leader with 4,124 kick return yards. Al Carmichael had 3,907 kick return yards and led the league twice. Adderley is third with 3,080 kick return yards. Travis Williams returned five kickoffs for scores, including four in 1967. Willie Wood tops the club list with 1,391 punt return yards in 1961. Desmond Howard was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXI thanks to a kickoff returned for a score. His 875 punt return yards in 1996 are still the league record. 

Special Teams: Travis Jervey was a backup running back behind Levens in two Super Bowls. He went to the Pro Bowl in 1997. 

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-By: Kevin Rakas