Some moments stay etched forever in the lore of football. One of those was on this very day, back in 2011, when the Green Bay Packers faced off against the Atlanta Falcons. The Packers were buried early under a 14-0 hole. Nothing seemed to go right until a 70-yard TD flipped the momentum. That throw marked a milestone for a young Aaron Rodgers–  the 100th TD pass of his career. But interestingly, the player who caught it ended up grabbing some of the attention for himself in the process, and is still thinking about it– especially today. 

James Jones took to X to reshare a throwback from Packers history. Packers History had posted on October 9th, noting that on this day in 2011, despite an early 14-0 deficit, Jones’ 70-yard touchdown helped lead Green Bay to a 25-14 win over the Falcons. That score also happened to be Aaron Rodgers’ 100th career touchdown pass, with Rodgers finishing the game with 396 yards and two TDs. Adding his own twist, Jones captioned the reshare: “I threw my dawg @AaronRodgers12 100th TD in the stands 🤦🏾‍♂️”

With 3:42 left in the third quarter, Rodgers launched a 70-yard touchdown pass to James Jones, giving the Packers a 15-14 lead over the Falcons. As the commentators called it, “From the 30-yard line, Aaron Rodgers… Play fade for Grant and it’s caught by Jones. And away goes Jones, and Green Bay has the lead for the first time in the game.” The Falcons had tried to dial up pressure off the edge, but Rodgers “saw it the whole way”, hitting Jones behind his defender and letting him outrun the safety. Safeties simply don’t cover wide receivers down the field, and Jones famously heaved the milestone football into the stands after the score. 

That day, he caught five passes for 140 yards, helping snap a 15-game streak without a 100-yard game. Together, the pair engineered a 25-14 victory reminiscent of Green Bay’s playoff win over Atlanta the previous season. But that moment also offered a glimpse into the early dynamics between Rodgers and his teammates, particularly Jones, who was still finding his footing as a rookie.

 James Jones joined the Green Bay Packers as a third-round draft pick in 2007. He was just another rookie trying to find his footing in the NFL. At that time, Aaron Rodgers was still in the early stages of his career, having taken over as the starting quarterback after Brett Favre’s departure. For Jones, Rodgers was simply another quarterback to practice against. “I just remember talking to Al Harris and Charles Woodson, and they were just like, ‘This dude is unbelievable.’ When you’re a young player, you’re looking at it like, ‘Whatever,’” Jones once said in an interview with The Ringer back in 2020.

However, as Jones spent more time on the field with Rodgers, he began to realize the unique qualities that set Rodgers apart. He recalled the confidence Rodgers exuded in the huddle, a trait that instilled belief in his teammates. “The reason why I say Aaron Rodgers is the greatest to ever do it is because of the confidence he instills. When he steps in the huddle, you always feel like you’re about to score a touchdown,” Jones remarked.

Rodgers’ exceptional ability to place the ball precisely where only his receiver could catch it was another aspect that impressed Jones. “He can always put the ball into any spot he wants to and throw you open to make a play,” Jones observed. This skill kept defenses on edge and allowed Rodgers to consistently make plays that others might not have attempted.

One particular instance that stood out to Jones occurred during a game against the Denver Broncos in 2011. In that game, Rodgers threw an 80-yard touchdown pass to Jones that was low and in the back of the end zone. He hit Jones right in stride, and if he had been bumped off his route, the pass would have skidded off the turf incomplete. “That was a big no-no,” Jones recalled. “But Rodgers threw it exactly where it needed to be, and I caught it for a touchdown.”

This play exemplified Rodgers’ trust in his receivers and his willingness to take risks that paid off. But the low, perfectly placed ball was also a testament to their on-field chemistry, as a defender being able to break up the play would have been unlikely even if Jones had been slightly off his route. 

Behind the seamless, carefully practiced moves was also comfort and familiarity. As Jones reflected on his time playing with Rodgers, he had said, “When I took the field with Rodgers, there was so much comfort in knowing he was a guy who could put the ball anywhere he wanted…I knew A-Rod was going to throw the ball to where only I could get it.”

The two were on the same field as teammates for a total of seven seasons: from 2007 to 2013 and again in 2015, all with the Green Bay Packers.  Jones returned to the Packers and played one more season with Rodgers before moving to the San Diego Chargers in 2016, and ultimately announcing his retirement in 2017. 

After his playing career ended, he joined the media world. He previously served as an analyst for the NFL Network before moving to Fox Sports, where he co-hosts the daily show “The Facility” on FS1. 

Interesting, in a February 2025 guest spot on the same, Jones offered insight into Rodgers’ current situation, highlighting the contrast between the quarterback’s peak and his present role. “Aaron’s never been in this situation. Aaron has been MVP, MVP, MVP, MVP—Super Bowl MVP… Everything Aaron Rodgers wants, Aaron Rodgers got. Aaron Rodgers has never been in this situation where—I ain’t gonna say he’s begging—but who want me? No, no, for real. He’s never been in this situation,” Jones said. He added, “So Aaron Rodgers cannot walk into these teams like he’s MVP Aaron Rodgers. You cannot. So when you go meet with the Vikings or you go meet with the Steelers, the mindset you have to have is: What y’all need? That’s it.” Oh, how times change. 

After being traded to the Jets in 2023, Rodgers played only four snaps before a ruptured Achilles tendon ended his season. He returned the following year but struggled to make an impact, throwing for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, even with the addition of Davante Adams. Now, with the Jets parting ways with the four-time MVP, Rodgers signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In his first season with Pittsburgh, he has helped the team achieve a 3-1 record and currently leads the division, and is expected to remain the team’s quarterback throughout the 2025 season.