Aaron Rodgers, Shailene Woodley's Engagement Was A Surprise: 'We Thought She Was Just A Rebound'

Aaron Rodgers announced that he was engaged without naming his fiancée, and several outlets have since confirmed that the mystery woman is Shailene Woodley.

Rodgers and Woodley's engagement surprised many. In fact, some thought he wasn't serious with his romance with the "Divergent" star and that the actress was just a rebound because he told everyone it was just a casual thing. However, those who saw them together knew he was serious.

"It was a surprise that they got so close so quickly," a source told People. "I mean, it really felt like one day he was with Danica Patrick, and then suddenly he was with Shailene. It happened super fast."

Prior to dating Woodley, Rodgers was in a relationship with the former race car driver. They split in July 2020 after dating for two years. Meanwhile, Rodgers and Woodley hit it off immediately and began spending a lot of time together.

"It was so fast that at first, we thought she was just a rebound," the insider continued. "There was no way this could be so serious. Everyone thought it was a casual thing because that's what he was telling everyone, even when it was clearly not a casual thing."

Rodgers announced his engagement when he accepted the Most Valuable Player award during the NFL Honors broadcast on CBS Saturday. However, he didn't name the woman he was going to marry.

"It's an honor to win this award for the third time," Rodgers said in a clip shared by his team on Twitter. "2020 was definitely a crazy year filled with lots of change and growth, some amazing memorable moments. 180 straight days of having my nose hair scraped, playing for very little fans or no stands the entire season. I got engaged."

In his speech, Rodgers also thanked his teammates and his fiancée. He was thankful for their support and for making the whole experience fun.

In September, Rodgers hinted that he had already moved on from his split from Patrick. The athlete shared that he found a "new and increased love of life." He also discovered new habits that put him into a better headspace.

Meanwhile, Patrick started practicing emotional therapy after their breakup. In one post on Instagram, she shared the message she got for herself while doing the activity.

"Today I put my left hand on my stomach.... and the back of my right hand on my back, surrounding the solar plexus chakra, and all I heard was - I got you, I always have," she wrote.