It’s wild to think Aaron Rodgers has been in the league since 2005. For years, he was known as the guy who sat behind a Hall of Famer in Brett Favre. Once he got his chance to show what he can do, he never looked back. I’ll admit to you that this last season surrounding him has been a soap opera. Last April on the night of the NFL Draft, he says he wants out of Green Bay. Then months later in July, he reports to the team for training camp. There were speculations that the 2021 season would be his final year as a Packer. Remember “The Last Dance” tour? Let’s fast forward to this month. Last week, it was announced that the Packers and Aaron agreed to a new contract. Today, he signed a contract extension that will see him play at least three more years in Green Bay to the tune of $150 million.
There’s no denying the man’s talent. He’s a top-three quarterback in our league right now. The confidence he shows in the pocket to make every throw amazes me. Aaron does what many call “throwing a receiver open” meaning the receiver he targets will be plastered in coverage and he will slightly overthrow the ball to the point where he knows his guy and his guy only will come away with it. His release of the ball is so effortless because it’s simply a flick of the wrist. It looks as if he puts no effort behind the pass, but the ball has a way of spinning once it’s out of his hands. When he was younger, the best attribute of his game was his ability to move the pocket and make throws on the run. Aaron might not do it as much now, but when he does, he can still fire the ball off with tremendous accuracy on the move. He’s still great when it comes to extending the play. One of the best throws I saw him complete came in 2020 on a Sunday night in New Orleans against the Saints. Aaron was under center and used the play-action, then moved slightly to his left and fired the ball in the breadbasket to Allen Lazard down the field. Even in the elements, he has the power to push the ball down the field. I’ve watched him throw passes into the wind and put it on the money for his intended receiver. Don’t forget about the clutch gene. Aaron is one of the three quarterbacks I want with the ball in his hands when the game is on the line.
I’m happy he got paid. He deserves it and has been arguably the best player in the league the last two seasons. The man has won back-to-back MVP awards and has used the Packers’ drafting of Jordan Love as motivation it appears. However, there’s a bone I have to pick with him. There’s no excuse that he should have only one Super Bowl ring. Aaron’s playoff record hasn’t been the greatest since that lone Super Bowl appearance. You got what you wanted. There’s no taking away from that. We know what he’s capable of doing during the regular season. What happens come postseason time Aaron? Can we get at least another appearance in the big game from you? That playoff loss against the 49ers, I solely blamed you. Your defense kept you in the game, so you can’t blame them. You can’t win playoff games only by scoring ten points. It’s time to put up and show me more.
