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As we all know, the Miami Dolphins are indisputably the most successful American Football franchise of the 21st century. The dynamic duo of Nick Saban and Aaron Rodgers has brought five Super Bowl rings to sunny south Florida. With the recent addition of a Super Bowl 50 ring, Coach Nick and A-Rod broke the record previously held by Hall of Fame combo Bill Walsh and Joe Montana.

Now what if the Dolphins did not select Rodgers with the second overall pick in the 2005 draft?

Now, it seems silly that they would pass on the Berkley boy but they almost just did that. Remember, Rodgers wanted to be drafted by his favorite team, the 49ers who had the number one pick that year but passed on him for the epic bust known as Alex Smith (who as I read somewhere is now running for the State Senate in Maine of all places). The Dolphins obviously responded by picking him next, to fill the gaping hole at quarterback on their otherwise star-studded team.

However, according to an article I read on ESPN.com, the Dolphins were allegedly torn between Rodgers and Auburn running back Ronnie Brown, who ended being drafted by the Bears two picks later. Now, the Dolphins were able to provide the aging Ricky Williams with a young, healthy backup by picking their eventual longtime starter, and future Hall of Famer Frank Gore in the second round of the 2005 draft.

Now imagine Saban and company actually went through with their rumored plan and actually selected Brown over Rodgers. What do you guys think would've happened?

One thing's for certain. The Dolphins just wouldn't have had that historic 14-2 2005 season which culminated in a blowout Super Bowl win over the Seahawks, the first ring of their new dynasty. Rodgers would have likely not become a household name that year when he became at age 22 years and 2 months the youngest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl, a record that still stands to this day.

Other things remain a mystery. First and foremost, who would've started at quarterback for Miami that year? Would've they even bothered drafting one? If not they would've likely been stuck with journeyman Gus Frerotte, who was Rodger's backup his rookie season, under center. Without Rodgers, would the Dolphins had even made the playoffs that year. Remember, their defense was still fantastic (they had Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas and the late great Junior Seau, all in the Hall of Fame). Also how would've Saban's coaching career went had the Dolphins not drafted Rodgers? Would be still coaching the team, let alone coaching in the NFL?

There are a few other things to consider. What would be the fate of Wes Welker, who was Rodgers's go-to receiver up until announcing his retirement a few days ago? It's likely the Dolphins would have traded him but where would the future Hall of Famer had gone?

Also without the Dolphins hogging the AFC East division title, would the Patriots have managed to stay relevant? Remember, Brady-Belicheck was the NFL's dominant coach-quarterback combination before Rodgers-Saban more than eclipsed them. Would Brady's career-ending injury in 2010 be butterflied out, and the duo continue their dominance?

Finally, where would have Rodgers have ended up if not in Miami? It would have likely either been Washington or Green Bay, the other two teams to pick quarterbacks in the first round. The Packers went with Charlie Frye, who backed up Brett Favre for two seasons, before being traded to the Raiders where he currently starts, and led to two Super Bowl appearances and one victory. Washington on the other hand drafted Jason Campbell who proved rather ineffective as a starter.

So, what do you think if number 14* never wore a Dolphins's uniform?

*OOC: Rodgers's number wears number 14 ITTL as the other two great Dolphins quarterbacks, Bob Griese and Dan Marino wore 12 and 13 respectively. Also, Alex Smith being a politician from Maine is from a timeline I co-authored back in 2013.
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