Although he’s not quite at the level of players like Tom Brady and Joe Montana, Aaron Rodgers is one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks of all-time, and a 4-time NFL MVP.
In my opinion, the best Rodgers rookie card is his 2005 SP Authentic Autograph Patch card, which is also the most valuable option; I’ve covered that, and the other best Aaron Rodgers rookie cards, below.
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Quick Summary - Top 3 Picks
The Best Aaron Rodgers Rookie Cards
Collectors have plenty of options for an Aaron Rodgers rookie card, with 43 unique base cards from 2005, the season he made his debut as backup to the legendary Brett Favre.
With so many rookie cards to choose from, there’s something for all budgets. There’s no shortage of high-end options, with many featuring either an autograph or material patch piece, and in some cases both.
Here are the top 10 picks, in more detail:
2005 SP Authentic Aaron Rodgers Autograph Patch #252
Average price of the base card graded PSA 10: N/A (PSA 9: $30k-$35k)
The 2005 SP Authentic Aaron Rodgers autograph patch rookie card is the most valuable of all his rookies, and it ticks all the boxes.
In my opinion, and most collectors will agree, this is the Aaron Rodgers rookie card to have in your collection, if you can get it.
The hard-signed autograph, with game-worn material patch, and print run of 99 copies, all serial-numbered, makes for a high-end and desirable card.
The base card is expensive to buy, but the big value is found in the Gold parallel version, which is numbered to only 25 copies.
In 2021, a PSA 10 graded copy of the Gold parallel version sold for $225k.
2005 Exquisite Collection Aaron Rodgers Rookie Signature Materials #106
Average price of the base card graded PSA 10: $20k-$25k
Exquisite was the king of ultra-premium cards from the mid 2000s till 2010, and while the high-end cards from the brand are popular, the first football release wasn’t as strong as those that followed after, in terms of design.
I love this Rodgers rookie card, but the downside is that the signature isn’t hard signed, which takes a little bit away from the appeal.
Despite that, the premium features make it still a highly sought-after card, and it’s numbered to just 199 copies, so it sells for big money.
Back in 2022, a PSA 10 graded copy of the card sold for $72k, which makes it one of Rodgers’ most expensive football card sales of all time.
2005 Playoff Contenders Aaron Rodgers Autograph #101
Average price of the base card graded PSA 10: $20k-$25k
Without doubt, one of the most popular and significant Aaron Rodgers rookie cards is this 2005 Playoff Contenders autographed card.
The rookie ticket design and brand is a staple of the football card hobby, and it helps add to the appeal of this card.
For me, it’s the best autograph only (no relic) Aaron Rodgers rookie card.
Although this one isn’t serial numbered, the print run was revealed to be 530 copies, which is much more plentiful than his similar high-end cards, but that doesn’t seem to matter for collectors, who are willing to pay a high price for it.
In 2022, a PSA 10 graded copy sold for $52.8k.
2005 Ultimate Collection Aaron Rodgers Rookie Signatures #242
Average price of the base card graded PSA 10: $5k-$6k
Another high-end option, and one of the key Aaron Rodgers rookie cards comes from the 2005 Ultimate Collection, with a classy design and the high-appeal of the large on-card signature.
It’s limited and numbered to 99 copies, which contributes to its high-value on the secondary market, if you can find one.
There’s also a rare Holofoil version, which is serial-numbered to only 5 copies; A PSA 10 graded copy of the Holofoil version sold for as much as $20.4k, in 2022.
2005 Bowman Chrome Aaron Rodgers Autograph #221
Average price of the base card graded PSA 10: $6k-$7k
The 2005 Bowman Chrome Aaron Rodgers autographed rookie card is a solid option for collectors, and offers something different, with hand-numbered base cards.
It features a vertical sticker autograph, which doesn’t quite have the appeal of a hard-signed autograph, but it’s still an appealing and popular Rodgers rookie card option.
The base card is limited to 199 copies, and there are also multiple lower-numbered parallels, which offer a tougher chase, and more value.
The 1-of-1 Gold Refractor parallel version sold for $192k, back in 2021, which makes it one of Aaron Rodgers’ most valuable cards ever.
2005 Finest Aaron Rodgers Autograph #151
Average price of the base card graded PSA 10: $5k-$6k
The 2005 Finest Aaron Rodgers auto rookie card has a few things going for it; Firstly, the Finest brand prestige, but also a unique design, with the image of Rodgers surrounded by a bullseye-styled card design.
There are 299 copies of this one, which is higher than any of his other autographed rookie cards, but surprisingly no Refractor parallels, which are usually a popular feature of Finest products.
It’s not quite as expensive to buy as some of the similar sticker autograph options, but it’s still a nice option, so it offers a good, cheaper alternative, in my opinion.
2005 SPx Aaron Rodgers Autograph Patch #223
Average price of the base card graded PSA 10: $4k-$5k
The 2005 SPx Aaron Rodgers auto patch card has a higher print run than its counterparts on the list, with 250 numbered copies.
Its classy design is somewhat let down by the sticker autograph, but it’s still a valuable high-end option.
Collectors can look out for the Spectrum parallel as well, which is limited to just 25 copies, and adds both color and value.
In 2022, a BGS 9.5 graded copy of the Spectrum parallel version sold for $38.4k.
2005 Topps Pristine Aaron Rodgers Autograph #146
Average price of the base card graded PSA 10: $3k-$4k
The 2005 Pristine set marked the end of the short-lived Topps brand. Aaron Rodgers has yet another foil-stickered autograph rookie card from the set, with a print run of just 100 copies.
Unusually, Topps opted for just a first name initial rather than the full name, to show ‘A. Rodgers’ on the right side of the card.
It’s similar to some of his other sticker autograph rookies on the list, but the lower base version print-run helps add a bit to its value; It offers a good lower-cost option.
2005 Bowman's Best Aaron Rodgers Autograph #129
Average price of the base card graded PSA 10: $1k-$2k
A slightly unusual angled design features on this 2005 Bowman’s Best Aaron Rodgers rookie card, which results in a lop-sided foil sticker autograph.
It might not have the greatest card design, but the staple brand of Bowman’s Best perhaps makes up for it.
It’s another autographed option which is lower-value than many of the alternatives; Again, it’s not hard-signed, but with a print run of 199, it’s still one of the best Aaron Rodgers rookies.
2005 Upper Deck Foundations Aaron Rodgers Autograph #260
Average price of the base card graded PSA 10: $1k-$2k
Next is an entry from 2005 Foundations, an Upper Deck brand from the early 2000s; It’s another autographed Aaron Rodgers rookie card option with a limited print run, serial-numbered to 175 copies.
Again, it features a sticker autograph rather than on-card, but the clear sticker looks better than the foil sticker we’ve seen on similar cards.
There’s an Exclusive Gold parallel, which has 25 numbered copies; It sold for $3.72k in 2020, graded PSA 10.
When Was Aaron Rodgers’ Rookie Season?
Aaron Rodgers’ rookie season was the 2005 NFL season – He was selected as the 24th pick by the Green Bay Packers in the 2005 NFL Draft.
What Is The Most Valuable Aaron Rodgers Rookie Card?
The most valuable Aaron Rodgers rookie card is the 2005 SP Authentic Autograph Patch (#252) card.
It features a hard-signed autograph, game-worn material patch, and print-run of just 99 copies, which all contribute to its high value and popularity.
The base card has had multiple high-value sales, with a PSA 9 graded copy selling for $107k, in 2021.
The Gold parallel, which has just 25 copies, is worth even more; It sold for $225k in 2021, graded PSA 10.
How Many Aaron Rodgers Rookie Cards Are There?
There are 43 different Aaron Rodgers base rookie cards, released from various card manufacturers in football card products throughout the 2005 season, which was his debut year in the NFL.
Average prices based on PSA’s previous public sales data.
