Rodgers, Smith separated at worth

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith showed little interest last week in pondering how their careers would have unfolded had the 49ers selected Rodgers, rather than Smith, with the first overall selection in the 2005 draft.

“I don’t really play those what-if games,” said Rodgers,

who was drafted with the 24th overall pick by Green Bay. “He went to San Fran, had a lot of different coordinators there, and I came here. I’m happy where I’m at.”

Ten years later, they meet Monday night when their teams play each other in Green Bay.

Now a two-time MVP with a Super Bowl ring, Rodgers began his career on the bench as

the heir to Packers legend Brett Favre. Smith, an immediate starter for the 49ers, is closer to the middle of the pack.

Both have faced different circumstances. Rodgers had to wait for Favre’s departure before the 2008 season to clear a path to playing time. Smith muddled through mostly sub.500 seasons while playing for six offensive coordinators in eight years, and the 49ers traded him after the 2013 season to clear the way for Colin Kaepernick.

“There’s so many ifs and different things and plausibilities that it’s tough to think about,” Smith said. “It happened. Guys can talk about what ifs and this and that. Like I said, who knows what would have happened?”