2005 NFL Draft
Brett Favre was age 36 when Aaron Rodgers was drafted in 2005. Favre was coming off another solid season but not many believed it was time to move on from Favre. Though, once Aaron Rodgers fell in the first round, the Packers had no choice. This draft brings up the question whether the Packers should find Rodger’s successor?
While Rodgers ended up sitting for the first three years of his career, many waited to see when Rodgers would would dethrone Favre.
It would come one year after the Packers lost to the New York Giants in the NFC Conference Championship, where Favre’s last pass as a Packer was an interception that led to the loss.
Elite level still?
Rodgers, who turned 36 during the 2019 season, had a strong season. Just not Compared to the rest of his career. People are now whispering about whether it is time to draft the successor to Rodgers and prepare for life after the future hall-of-fame quarterback. Rodgers is under contract through the the year 2023 when he will turn age 40.
40 may be the new 35 in the NFL for quarterbacks, as Drew Brees and Tom Brady have defied the odds and are still playing at a high level. Brees ranked 3rd at quarterback PFF, while Brady ranked 12th among. Compared to Rodgers ranking 7th.
Rodgers is showing no signs of slowing down and his game is still at the top of the quarterback hill. Should they prepare for the future now?
Successor or not? 2020 Draft and Beyond
The last few off seasons, there have been whispers on whether the Packers should draft Rodgers successor, even more so this offseason. Bucky Brooks, NFL.com analyst, who does mock drafts online, recently picked a quarterback in the first round. Jacob Easom, from the University of Washington, is the heir apparent to Rodgers.
Brooks notes in his mock, “With Aaron Rodgers entering the twilight of his career, the Packers could snag their quarterback of the future and let him spend a few years as an apprentice before taking over the franchise.”
While findIng a replacement for Rodgers when he retires is no doubt a smart move, it’s not one the Packers should take right now. Rodgers contract runs through 2023, when he will turn 40. Rodgers has noted multiple times over the last couple years that he plans to play well into his 40’s like Brady and Brees.
This is a team that was 13-3 in 2019 and one win from the Super Bowl. They are in a win now mode and should continue that strategy as long as Rodgers is still performing at a high level.
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