Every NFL career has an expiration date. Some are abrupt and shocking while others are a slow trip toward the finish line. History judges a man on what he accomplishes before that final farewell, both from an individual and team standpoint.
Aaron Rodgers will be 34 years old in December, and has already assured himself a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 12 seasons, the California native has put together a breathtaking and simultaneously lacking resumè. There is the Super Bowl victory in 2010 and pair of NFL MVP awards. Rodgers has been named a two-time first-team All-Pro in an era that includes Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, along with a statline that reads 297 touchdowns against 72 interceptions.
However, there are also weaknesses in Rodgers’ credentials when comparing him to all-time greats. The Packers’ legend has never led the league in yardage or completion rate, and only done so once with touchdown passes, launching 40 last season. Most glaring is his penchant for struggling in comeback situations, only authoring 10 fourth-quarter rallies in his career. For perspective, Matthew Stafford has 25, while Ryan Tannehill checks in with 12.
So what to make of a career of incredible numbers but a few glaring holes? Is Rodgers simply a great player who won the requisite ring to be mentioned alongside the elites, or does he belong in the conversation with Joe Montana, Tom Brady and Johnny Unitas?
If Rodgers could win another Super Bowl, it would likely vault him into another stratosphere historically. While his body of work might merit an inclusion with the best to ever play, he would probably slide into a conversation alongside Steve Young, Brett Favre and Drew Brees. All phenomenal players, all champions, but not on that top tier.
There is an argument to be made that nothing further should be needed from him. A first-round pick of Green Bay in 2005, Rodgers took over the starting job from Favre in 2008 and following his first campaign in the role, has reached the playoffs each year.
And this is where the consternation about Rodgers’ legacy truly takes hold. In the postseason, the Packers have only reached a single Super Bowl under Rodgers, albeit while reaching a trio of NFC Championship Games. Some will point out that Green Bay hasn’t been able to consistently get over the hump such as the Patriots with Brady, or the Steelers with Ben Roethlisberger.
Still, the intelligent observer recognizes a simple truth. Throughout much of Rodgers’ tenure in Green Bay, the roster has been lackluster. Outside of Charles Woodson and an aging Julius Peppers, the 33-year-old has not played with a single future Hall of Famer. From 2010-12, the Packers were at their zenith with players such as Greg Jennings, Clay Matthews Jr., Morgan Burnett and Charles Woodson dotting the roster.
Offensively speaking, the best players Rodgers has ever played alongside are Jordy Nelson, Donald Driver and Jennings. Between them, there are six Pro Bowls and no All-Pro appearances.
As for the playoffs, Rodgers has been sublime statistically. He has played 16 games and thrown for 4,458 yards and 36 touchdowns against 10 interceptions, while completing 63.5 percent of his throws. Put those numbers against any of his regular-season performances, and it’s arguably Rodgers’ second or third-best campaign.
Still, legions, including those who shape history most, will bemoan his lack of jewelry. One more championship and most of those detractors fade into the abyss. If that expiration date arrives before another title does, the voices of descent will only grow louder, no matter how unfair that may be.