Aaron Rodgers finally made his debut with a significant national advertiser during NFL Sunday Night Football, a game in which his team, the 5-0 Green Bay Packers, staged a come-from-behind victory over the Atlanta Falcons. But in keeping with the understated persona of the Super Bowl XLV MVP, Rodgers' appearance in his first commercial for State Farm Insurance saw him being humorously deprecating and not even recognized.

Rodgers' on-field performances in 2011 are being compared with some of the best to ever play his position. But so far, Rodgers has been practically an invisible presence in the endorsement game, especially compared with the upper-echelon quarterbacks such as the Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning and New Orleans' Saints Drew Brees with whom Rodgers is being compared these days. Rodgers' go-slow endorsement strategy apparently has been by his own design.Continue reading...

Aaron Rodgers is lighting up the National Football League with his passing prowess so far this season, leading all other quarterbacks by far in overall passing ratings, and drawing comparisons from league analyst and former star quarterback Phil Simms to "Tiger Woods at his best."

So why, unlike the self-destructive golfing icon, isn't Rodgers seen endorsing Buick, Nike and any number of other big-name brands besides State Farm Insurance?

After all, Brett Favre still has Wrangler going, but he hasn't been the Packers' quarterback for three years. And at this point, Rodgers' on-field performance this season has left those of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and even rookie sensation Cam Newton, of the Carolina Panthers, eating his dust. Meanwhile, NFL pitchman non pareil Peyton Manning, the Indianapolis Colts' field general, has been sidelined indefinitely by neck surgery.

Rodgers' handlers have said he wants to expose himself only slowly to the brand-endorsement world. Or maybe it's that Rodgers is just stuck on Edith. Edith Who?Continue reading...