The greatest Green Bay Packers of all time
The Green Bay Packers have sent 33 players to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Only the Chicago Bears have sent more players to Canton. Whether it was the Vince Lombardi era, the Brett Favre era or the Aaron Rodgers era, all the Packers did was win.
This list was created by measuring each player’s Approximate Value, a Pro Football Reference statistic that’s used to “put a single number on the seasonal value of a player at any position from any year,” according to their website. Awards, stats, and records were also considered. Let’s get to it!
Note: Approximate Value is unavailable for games played prior to 1960, which is why Don Hutson (or any other Packers players from before the Super Bowl era) does not appear on this list.
1 of 251. Aaron Rodgers (Approximate Value: 231)
Aaron Rodgers (Approximate Value: 231)
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The greatest Packer of all time, Rodgers took over the offense when Brett Favre left for the New York Jets. Rodgers became a prolific passer in the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, unleashing an aerial assault on the league. The four-time MVP won the Super Bowl with the Packers in 2010 and is one of the best quarterbacks of his era. With Rodgers at quarterback, the Packers were always Super Bowl contenders.
RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Favre started his career with the Atlanta Falcons. When he was traded to the Packers, it was the start of something great. In the 1970s and ’80s, the Packers struggled to make the playoffs. Then, Favre came along in 1992 and revived football in Green Bay. In his prime, Favre won three MVPs in a row and took the Packers to back-to-back Super Bowls, winning one. He was the definition of a gunslinger and started an NFL-record 321 games in a row.3 of 253. Willie Davis (AV: 125)
Willie Davis (AV: 125)
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
No, not the Willie Davis who won two World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Davis, the Hall of Fame defensive tackle for the Packers in the ’60s, was a dominant force on the defensive line during the Vince Lombardi era. Without him, those defenses wouldn’t have been the same.
4 of 254. Willie Wood (AV: 122)
Willie Wood (AV: 122)
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Hall of Fame safety Willie Wood was an intimidating leader during the Vince Lombardi dynasty of the ’60s. He was the best defensive back of his era. His coverage skills helped the Packers win five NFL Championships and two Super Bowls. He intercepted 48 passes during his illustrious career.
5 of 255. Ray Nitschke (AV: 120)
Ray Nitschke (AV: 120)
Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY Sports
Nitschke spent his entire 15-year career with the Packers. The hard-nosed linebacker was an animal who could stop the run like no other. He was an excellent tackler. The Packers’ practice field is named after him.
6 of 256. Forrest Gregg (118)
Forrest Gregg (118)
Gregg (75) in action against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl I (1967). Rod Hanna-USA TODAY Sports
A nine-time Pro Bowler, Gregg was the starting right tackle during the Vince Lombardi era. He was part of the offensive line that made the Packers Sweep work. After spending 14 seasons in Green Bay, Gregg became a great coach. In 1981, he took the Cincinnati Bengals to their first Super Bowl, losing to the San Francisco 49ers. Gregg also coached the Packers with mixed results.
7 of 257. Bart Starr (AV: 115)
Bart Starr (AV: 115)
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Starr was the quarterback of the Packers dynasty in the 1960s that won five NFL Championships and two Super Bowls. In 1966, he was named NFL MVP during his best season in the league. Starr earned the reputation of being a good leader who was clutch in the game’s biggest moments. He was an efficient passer when compared to the other quarterbacks of his era.8 of 258. Henry Jordan (AV: 114)
Henry Jordan (AV: 114)
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan was a mainstay on those incredible Packers defenses of the 1960s. The Hall of Fame defensive tackle was dominant when it came to stopping the run. He was also a great wrestler at the University of Virginia.9 of 259. Herb Adderley (AV: 111)
Herb Adderley (AV: 111)
David Boss-USA TODAY Sports
Adderley was the definition of a shutdown cornerback. He became the gold standard at the position in the ’60s. The Philadelphia native intercepted 48 passes and record seven pick-sixes during his career. Once his playing days in Green Bay were over, he won another Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys in 1971.
10 of 2510. LeRoy Butler (AV: 107)
LeRoy Butler (AV: 107)
RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Butler was the Packers’ starting cornerback during the ’90s. He was a leader of the defense along with NFL legend Reggie White. Butler is a member of the prestigious 20-20 club, finishing his career with 38 interceptions and 20.5 sacks. He invented the Lambeau Leap, an iconic touchdown celebration. Butler was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.11 of 2511. David Bakhtiari (AV: 101)
David Bakhtiari (AV: 101)
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
One of the only active players on this list, Bakhtiari is the starting left tackle for the Packers. He’s protected quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ blindside for years now and is the enforcer on the Packers offensive line. In the prime of his career, he was an All-Pro selection five years in a row. When healthy, he’s one of the best left tackles in the league.12 of 2512. Donald Driver (AV: 96)
Donald Driver (AV: 96)
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis. via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Driver’s 10,137 receiving yards are the most all-time by a Packers player. He was the go-to target for Favre and Rodgers. Driver made a habit of catching 80 passes or more in a season. He helped the Packers win the Super Bowl in 2010.
13 of 2513. James Lofton (AV: 95)
James Lofton (AV: 95)
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Lofton played for six teams during his career, but his prime was spent with Green Bay. He was the best player on the Packers during the ’80s, a dark time in the franchise’s history. Lofton was a deep threat who averaged 18.3 yards per reception. After his time in Green Bay, Lofton started in three Super Bowls for the Buffalo Bills in the ’90s, losing all of them.
14 of 2514. Reggie White (AV: 94)
Reggie White (AV: 94)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
White’s legendary career started with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he recorded 124 sacks in 121 games. He was the NFL’s first free agent and shocked the NFL when he signed with the Packers in 1993. He made an immediate impact and helped the Packers re-establish a winning culture after many years of losing. White led the Packers to their third Super Bowl win in 1996. At 37 years old, White became the oldest player in NFL history to win Defensive Player of the Year.
15 of 2515. Chad Clifton (AV: 93)
Chad Clifton (AV: 93)
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Clifton spent his entire career with the Packers. The left tackle blocked for Favre and Rodgers during their prime. A two-time Pro Bowler, he won the Super Bowl with the Packers in 2010.
16 of 2516. Jim Taylor (AV: 92)
Jim Taylor (AV: 92)
Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
Before joining the Packers, Taylor was one of the first great players to suit up for LSU. The Hall of Fame fullback retired second on the NFL’s all-time rushing list; only Jim Brown rushed for more career yards than him. He was a tough runner who wanted to initiate contact and earn respect through his play. He was also the lead blocker for the Packers Sweep. Taylor retired after a farewell tour with the New Orleans Saints, his hometown team.
17 of 2517. Jerry Kramer (AV: 91)
Jerry Kramer (AV: 91)
Kramer kicking a field goal (1963). Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Kramer was an interesting player. He was the hard-nosed guard for Lombardi’s Packers. He was often tasked with being the pulling guard for the Packers Sweep, a role he perfected. He also dished out the lead block for Bart Starr to win the Ice Bowl. Kramer was also the Packers kicker for a brief stint. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
18 of 2518. Clay Matthews (AV: 90)
Clay Matthews (AV: 90)
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
One of the most recent players on this list, Matthews was an excellent edge rusher for the Packers during the ’10s. He was born into a legendary football family and lived up to his name in the NFL, helping the Packers win the Super Bowl in just his second year in the league. Matthews retired as the Packers’ all-time leader in sacks.
19 of 2519. Boyd Dowler (AV: 89)
Boyd Dowler (AV: 89)
Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY Sports
Dowler started out his career by winning Rookie of the Year in 1959. From this early success, Dowler built a great career with the Packers. He was Bart Starr’s favorite target. The wide receiver was the Packers’ leading receiver for many years.
20 of 2520. Ahman Green (AV: 89)
Ahman Green (AV: 89)
Mark hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Green went from a backup running back with the Seattle Seahawks to the Packers’ all-time leading rusher. In his prime, he rushed for 1,000 yards in five seasons in a row. While he never won a championship, he’s still one of the greatest Packers ever.
21 of 2521. Josh Sitton (AV: 86)
