Fansided

Predicting 10 best NFL quarterbacks in 2016

By Andrew Garda

Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) greets Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) shake hands after the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) greets Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) shake hands after the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 21, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) calls a play before the ball is hiked against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Green Bay Packers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) calls a play before the ball is hiked against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Green Bay Packers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers. 1. player. 49. . QB

It’s hard to imagine someone knocking Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers off this perch. Let’s look at the facts.

He’s in the prime of his career.

Rodgers is just 31 and, with the exception of some concussion issues in 2013, he’s been very healthy. He’s not badly knocked around, continues to be very mobile and has excellent zip on his ball. His accuracy is also tremendous, and he can thread the ball between defenders as well today as he could when he first took over the job.

He has the weapons.

It’s really impressive how the Green Bay Packers have continually replaced players at the wide receiver position. From Donald Driver to Greg Jennings to Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, Rodgers has never lacked for weapons.

That’s not changing any time soon either. Rodgers has some young guys behind Cobb and Nelson, and while those players may need to develop a little more, there will come a day when they step up. Just like everyone else.

Also, he has one of the best young running backs in the NFL, Eddie Lacy. Lacy can take the pressure off Rodgers by making sure defense can’t just tee off on the quarterback. They have to account for Lacy on every down he stands on the field because he is always a threat.

Rodgers has great weapons around him and uses them with precision.

Coaching Staff is excellent

While I’ve never loved Dom Capers as defensive coordinator, the Packers have always done well on the offensive side of the ball. Tom Clements has moved up to assistant head coach, but newly promoted Edgar Bennett won’t miss a beat as he takes over the offensive coordinator job.

And ultimately, as long as Mike McCarthy is head coach, the offense will run the same way. It’s an offense which is predicated on timing, getting the ball into the receivers’ hands and letting them do some damage.

It’s one which has worked very well for the Packers for a long time.

None of this stands to change between now and 2016. So there’s no reason, in my mind, to move him out of the top spot.

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