Rodgers 'can’t help but get nostalgic' about '05 draft slide

Jared Goff isn't the first University of California quarterback to be discussed as the potential first overall pick.

Aaron Rodgers was hoping to be the first name called at the 2005 NFL Draft, but infamously slid all the way to the Green Bay Packers with the 24th pick.

The former Super Bowl champion has built his confidence back up after waiting over 4 1/2 hours in the green room on draft day, yet still recalls that painful night.

"You can’t help but get nostalgic at times, watching all the coverage," Rodgers told Jason Wilde from ESPN. "I’ve said this before, I’m glad the coverage and the scrutiny wasn’t this high in 2005. It felt like there was a lot of eyes on you at the time. Now, those guys can’t go anywhere without cameras at their workouts, and obviously the combine is crazy now with every little thing scrutinized and watched by millions of people on the networks.

"It’s a different era. It’s fun for those kids, I think, but it also puts a little bit more pressure on them to be at their best the entire time. But great athletes expect greatness when they step into those arenas. It’s fun to look back on my oversized suit and my soul patch (on draft day) and some of the faces I made during the 4 1/2 hours, but obviously everything turned out really well."

Former San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan recently admitted the team passed on Rodgers because they thought Alex Smith would be a better long-term fit, and he was turned off by Rodgers' confidence.

Being from California himself, Rodgers had his fingers crossed he would get to stay home with San Francisco. Goff is also a California native with the chance to stick on the west coast, and Rodgers is quite aware of their similar situation.

"What I know of him is he’s a great kid and he’s got a bright future in front of him," Rodgers said, before smiling and adding, “and if he gets drafted by L.A., he’s a lucky man."