Green Bay Packers fans waited all day for Sunday Night. Only for the Packers to come out and play an uninspired brand of football, reminiscent of most of their 2022 season. The Packers had multiple chances in the first half against the Lions to run away with the game. In doing so they would run right into the playoffs. But Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense could not score in the red zone. Does the loss to the Lions mark the end of the Aaron Rodgers era?
Aaron Rodgers didn’t lose this game for the Packers. But he certainly did not go out and win it for them either, which is the unfortunate theme for the 2022 Green Bay Packers season. Furthermore, one could argue that is really Aaron Rodgers’ legacy in the postseason and elimination games. The inability to elevate his game and carry the team to victory when it matters the most.
Not an Aaron Rodgers Hater
I am not an Aaron Rodgers hater. I find him to be an interesting person. The Aaron Rodgers Book Club was made famous on the Pat McAffe Show – I’ve read a number of Rodgers’ recommendations. Moreover, his play as the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers has at times been electric. I’ve been a big fan of what he has done for the Green Bay Packers.
As much as I would like to have peak Aaron Rodgers lead the Green Bay Packers for eternity. The fact of the matter is Rodgers is in decline. And I believe he is preventing the Green Bay Packers from moving forward.
Aaron Rodgers 2022 vs. Derek Carr 2022
Just a few short weeks ago the Las Vegas Raiders benched Derek Carr for the remainder of the season. In 15 games Carr threw for 3522 yards passing, 24 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions with an 86.3% quarterback rating. In 17 games Rodgers threw for 3695 yards, 26 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a 91.1 quarterback rating.
Rodgers’ numbers are not drastically different than that from Carr’s. One could argue that Davante Adams propped up Carr. Rodgers put up his numbers with a bunch of rookies and lower-tier receivers. If you argue Adams made Carr look better, then maybe Adams was doing the same for Rodgers the past couple of years.
Looking Towards the Packers’ Future
At this point, Rodgers is a game manager who every so often makes a vintage Aaron Rodgers pass. Could the Packers win with Rodgers next year with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubbs now having a season of working with Rodgers under their belts? Maybe. But Rodgers also hamstrings the Packers with his contract and is delaying the development of Jordan Love.
It is also worth mentioning the baggage that comes with Rodgers. He laughed off the matter of young players not knowing his secret signals, calling it a nothing burger of a story. However, when was the last time you heard Rodgers own one of his interceptions? It’s always, the guy ran the wrong route or something to that effect. It makes you wonder if they really are all on the same page. Not to mention his propensity to change play calls at the line of scrimmage based on his whims.
Time Will Tell if this is the End of the Aaron Rodgers Era
The fear of letting Rodgers go via trade or releasing him is that he will go have a phenomenal year with another team. That could happen. Or the Packers can keep him and have another lackluster 8-9 season.
The reality is the Packers are going to truly know what their future holds once they let go of the past. Is Matt LaFleur really a good coach? Or was he propped up by Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams? Maybe Rodgers’ influence on the offense is preventing LaFleur from really exhibiting his abilities as an offensive coach. Is Jordan Love any good? These are all questions that will not be answered until the Aaron Rodgers era has come to an end.
