Aaron Rodgers has been notoriously against football media. Going as far as limiting who can interview him outside of required conferences with the press. Most recently, he has done an interview with Joe Rogan, and Aubrey Marcus. Where he has revealed his journey to self-love and how he strengthened his mental health in the offseason.
In the 2021 offseason, Aaron Rodgers was in a very public dispute with the Green Bay Packers that led to a public bashing of the Quarterback in the media. He was labeled selfish and greedy by members of large media conglomerates such as Skip Bayless of First Take. With his recent resigning with the Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers turned the narrative on his “broken” relationship with the Front Office.
Aaron Rodgers vs Ben Baldwin
But, this isn’t the first time the media hasn’t been fond of the four time MVP. In 2019, Ben Baldwin wrote an article with the title No longer Elite featuring advanced statistics about how Rodgers from 2015-2019 was no longer an “elite” Quarterback. Baldwin stated:
“there was little doubt he [Aaron Rodgers] was the best quarterback in the league, if not the best ever. And then, poof. Aside from a brief stretch at the end of 2016, we’ve rarely seen that player again.
Using the same “advanced statistics” that Baldwin used in his article. Aaron Rodgers passing stats have exceeded years prior even though he is no longer in a pass heavy offense, rather, a very versatile offensive scheme from Matt LaFleur.
photo credit: @KevinColePFF on Twitter
How Aaron Rodgers faired following Baldwin’s Article:
Of course, at the end of the 2019 season, Aaron Rodgers stats weren’t amazing, but he put up 4000 yards with 26 touchdown passes to 4 interceptions. The following two seasons Rodgers proved Baldwin wrong with two back-to-back MVP seasons. These seasons featured a total of 85 touchdowns to only 9 interceptions and 8,414 yards. Which prompted Rodgers to say on the Pat McAfee show a year later that:
“Down Years For Me Are Career Years For Other Quarterbacks” – Aaron Rodgers
When looking at passing yards and passer rating, there have only been 29 Quarterbacks that have had better years than Rodgers. Three of those being Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady. For reference, if the Chicago Bears had put up numbers like Rodgers in 2019, it would be the best Quarterback season from a Bears QB ever.
Looking Forward
Rodgers is both good at what he does and confident in how he plays. Which makes him a target in the media because they perceive him to have an ego. The truth is that much like his adversary Tom Brady their names draw views online. That’s why they are constantly being talked about by the media. Baldwin is only one of many critics of Aaron Rodgers.
But his statement that we may never see Rodgers at an elite level again was completely false. It is time for critics to step up and own their mistakes.
