Former 'Jeopardy!' producer says Aaron Rodgers was 'most prepared' to be the new host

Aaron Rodgers was very close to being a full-time host of Jeopardy!, according to a former producer. Mike Richards, who also hosted the show for one day, spoke to PEOPLE about the New York Jets quarterback being a guest host of the game show after Alex Trebek died in 2020. Richards was impressed by how hard Rodgers worked to ensure he was on top of his game.

 “Aaron Rodgers was definitely the most prepared,” Richards said. “I was blown away by that, the intensity in which he prepped, and he was so lovely to everyone on staff. But ultimately, I worried about his other job that he does on a pretty high level. I was like, ‘How are you going to work this out with football scheduling?’ He said, ‘You’ll figure it out!'”

Rodgers was the guest host on Jeopardy! for one week in April 2021. At the time, Rodgers, who was the QB for the Green Bay Packers, told the producers of Jeopardy! that hosting the show is a “dream job.”

“There’s a lot of nostalgia, I think, wrapped up in this show for me because I used to watch it when I was kid,” Rodgers said. “The voice of Alex, it was one of those voices of my youth.”

Rodgers didn’t get the job as it went to Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings. The four-time NFL MVP winner went on to play two more seasons with the Packers before being traded to the Jets in April of last year.

Aaron Rodgers to work with former Chargers WR Mike Williams in 2024

As Rodgers waits for another opportunity to potentially appear on Jeopardy! as a guest host or contestant, he is gearing up for the 2024 NFL season. Last year was a wash for Rodgers since he tore his Achilles in the Jets’ season opener against the Buffalo Bills. This fall, Rodgers will have a new weapon as the Jets signed wide receiver Mike Williams to a one-year contract.

“I just felt like it was a great fit for me,” Williams said this week, per NFL.com. “Aaron, I want to be able to be able to play with him, pick his brain, learn from him. Playing alongside (receiver) Garrett (Wilson) kind of reminded me of (former Chargers teammate) Keenan (Allen) a little bit. Similar style of play, great route runners. I feel like we can complement each other in that area.”

Rodgers was a member of the Packers from 2005 to 2022. He became the starting QB in 2008 and led the Packers to eight NFC North titles and a Super Bowl championship during the 2010 season.