YoHoChecko wrote: ↑01 Mar 2023 15:56
I don't much care if someone thinks I'm a Rodgers hater or not. I equivocate on some issues because I think there's room for some nuance.
But the fact of the matter is that
statistically, Rodgers was an average-to-below-average QB last year. There are
reasons for that--his young, inexperienced receivers, the disappointing performance of his OLine.
But a QB whose performance requires a strong supporting cast is no longer worth $40-50 million in cap charges and kicking the cap can down the road. He is literally the highest paid player in the NFL. Elite level players and elite level contracts belong to those who respond to changes in their offensive personnel or coaching staff by adapting, adjusting, and making those around him better; rather than forcing players to play up to experience and intellectual levels that they are not capable, you have to play to their abilities.
Patrick Mahomes lost Tyreek Hill and had his best year as a Pro.
Daniel Jones has as laughable a receiving corps as the Packers and had a higher completion percentage, a comparable passer rating, a much higher QBR, and his team won more games.
Aaron Rodgers was 11th in yards, 16th in INT% (usually his greatest strength), 13th in TD percentage, 17th in passer rating, 27th in QBR, 20th in completion percentage, 25th in yards/attempt...
Among the QBs who finished ahead of him in most or all of those categories are guys like Jared Goff and Geno Smith. Andy Dalton and Jimmy G, on a rate basis rather than in bulk since they didn't start full seasons, as well.
That is not to say those players are better than Aaron Rodgers. That is not to say that given the right surrounding cast of characters Aaron Rodgers can't be great again. But it is to say that if he NEEDS his all pro WR and slot guys who know what he's thinking at all times and a line that is well above average (our OLine was not good, but it was pretty close to an average line last year) and a top defense to play and win, then that QB fails to justify elite status and elite money.
That QB becomes someone that is a piece of a comprehensive puzzle rather than a guy to build around--any QB is an important piece of a puzzle, but to justify his contract, he needs to stand above. And even compared to other teams with bad receivers or roster holes, he performed at an average or below level last year, indisputably, based on his actual statistical output and game outcomes.