Marshawn Lynch’s bond with Aaron Rodgers has always been unique — and it’s a relationship the former running back has often praised. Lynch’s story about Rodgers as a college teammate, showing off his natural leadership, comes at just the right time.
Rodgers is taking his time deciding between the Steelers, the Giants, or retirement — with Pittsburgh looking like the most likely choice.
Marshawn Lynch Recalls How Aaron Rodgers Helped Him at Cal
Lynch said it was thanks to Rodgers that he got a shot to play as a freshman at Cal.
“As a freshman, it was hard to play, and there was a running back on our team who had 2,000 [yards] in my freshman year. The chances of me getting an opportunity to play were slim. We had our spring game,” Lynch said on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast.
Beast Mode shared how he lined up wrong on his first play at Cal, but Rodgers still found a way to help him score — and save face.
“As A-Rod turned around and he looking for me. He see I’m on the other side. A-Rod pull a smoothest move I’ve ever seen. He was facing the other way. Hands the ball off to me backwards. I come around, and I get back into the play.
“But this is how I knew A-Rod was special.”
That moment kicked off a lasting friendship — one Lynch clearly values. The QB-RB duo from Cal’s 2004 squad kept in touch throughout their NFL careers, even though they never got to play together again.
“Me and A-Rod then build a level of trust. A-Rod would do s**t like if you get a safety or a linebacker on you, I don’t care what the play was; run a go. He really put me in the mix.”
Now, the football world is waiting for Rodgers’ next move — and he’s not in a rush. A decision likely won’t come until after the 2025 NFL Draft.
Marshawn Lynch on knowing that Aaron Rodgers was special while being his teammate at Cal. #Steelers #NFLpic.twitter.com/8NtGNBjGpF
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) March 24, 2025
Rodgers is likely watching what Pittsburgh and New York do in the draft to determine the best landing spot. Both teams are rumored to be eyeing a quarterback — possibly Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders.
In 2024, in what would be his final season with the New York Jets, Rodgers was sandwiched between Las Vegas Raiders’ Aidan O’Connell and Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford at 21 (72.2, C-) in PFSN’s QB+ metrics. Whether he can improve upon that below-average production remains to be seen.
No matter who they pick, neither team would turn down a shot at landing the 41-year-old, four-time MVP quarterback.