Overview
Since 1992 the Packers have had the pleasure of having a hall of fame franchise quarterback. Brett Favre until 2007, and then Aaron Rodgers up to date. Four is already in the ring of honor and retired, and 12, without a doubt, will be one day as well. Who owns the title for the best quarterback to ever wear the green and gold. Favre, the iron man of the NFL; or Rodgers, possibly the best thrower of the football the league has ever seen.
The Rodgers Overview
Aaron Rodgers has been the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers since 2008. He was drafted in the first round and sat behind Brett Favre for three years. In his third year as a starter Rodgers took Green Bay the distance and won the Super Bowl. Since then, he has hauled in two league M.V.P awards in 2011 and 2014. Rodgers is also a 2x first team all pro quarterback and is recognized as an 8x pro bowler.
Rodgers’ list of accolades has clearly made him one of the best of his generation, as well as all time. However, he has failed to reach the big game since 2010. Despite leading his team to a number one seed in 2011, and a number two seed in 2014, he hasn’t taken advantage. Rodgers single championship is looming over him and really makes it tough to choose him over Favre. However, Rodgers does one thing better than possibly any other quarterback to ever play, and that’s take care of the football. Rodgers touchdown to interception ratio of almost four to one is far better than anyone else. Rodgers also has the highest career passer rating of any quarterback to ever play.
In his career Aaron Rodgers is still playing at a high level and has thrown for over 46,000 yards and 364 touchdowns. Still going, Rodgers is on pace to break many more records, but might need to add to his trophy case if he wants to be considered by fans, as better than his predecessor.
The Gunslinger
Look at any NFL quarterback statistic, and the odds are Brett Favre will be somewhere in the top 10. Favre threw for over 60,000 yards in the green and gold and brought home a super bowl during his 16 year career. Favre was a 3x first team all-pro quarterback. He also was selected to the pro bowl nine times as a Packer. Favre also was recognized as league M.V.P three times in his career. However, all his trophies aside, Favre achieved what may separate him from Rodgers the most. He was able to at least get Green Bay to the Super Bowl a second time.
Throughout his career it’s obvious that Favre has been surrounded with more talent than Rodgers, but Favre may have needed a little more help than Rodgers. Favre is number one all time in interceptions thrown over a career, while Rodgers hasn’t even broke the 100 mark over his 13 years as a starter. Rodgers has to throw blind over the rest of his career to come close to Brett Favre’s career 336 interceptions. Favre was notably careless with the ball, a true gunslinger mentality, but he got it done.
Favre took Green Bay back to glory after 20 plus years of being a sub-par team in the NFL. He did it while breaking records and setting his own. Favre’s trophy cabinet isn’t a joke either. Three consecutive MVP seasons seems impossible if you think about it, but if anyone was going to do it, it would be Favre. Favre statistically is far ahead of Rodgers, and a lot of that comes from not missing games from injury, but is he the truly better quarterback?
Who do I think is Better?
An argument can obviously be made both ways, and the points are above, but I think Rodgers is the better quarterback. I mean, no disrespect to Favre, but Rodgers has been able to do more with less. Rodgers has only played with one top ten defense in his career, and with its help he was able to win the super bowl. Over Favre’s career, his defenses were much better than what Aaron has played with.
Why?
Both make mind wrecking throws, have won big games, and are recognized as greats. However, Rodgers has done it mistake free. One of the most precise and smartest players to ever put on a helmet. Rodgers has done just as much as Favre accomplishment wise, and his stats don’t hurt him in any way. However, when I watch the two play at their peek, Aaron Rodgers looks unstoppable, and is still going. Favre looked amazing, but could also beat himself with picks. Favre makes throws that make his arm look like it was made in a lab, but that same arm has led to his biggest flaw.
Rodgers accuracy and IQ for the game is far beyond anything the game has seen it’s difficult for me to put Favre ahead. Rodgers also has had to carry his team more than Favre. This only adds to the awe, and leaves fans wondering “what if?” What if Aaron Rodgers had some help? Just imagine what he could do with the guys Favre had? A defense led by Reggie white, an offense of Ahman Green and Antonio Freeman. The fact that Favre wasn’t able to win more with all that may hurt his case just enough.
In the end…
Both guys are extremely talented. However, Rodgers will make throws that look like nobody will top. Except he tops himself all the time. Favre made crazy throws then the same game would throw a pick that makes you think he had some of Aaron Rodgers’ famous scotch before the game. Overall both quarterbacks will always be remembered as Lambeau Legends and have earned there spots in the ring of honor. I just find it difficult to put Favre ahead, and if Rodgers’ 13-3 Packers can get it done this year…. it might get even tougher to put him behind Favre.
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