As the 2020 NFL season continues to draw closer, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers become an even more unknown quantity in the NFC. After taking the NFC North division following a 13-3 regular season in 2019, they made a run to the NFC Championship Game. Unfortunately, they lost to the San Francisco 49ers in that game by a final score of 37-20.
Heading into this season, the Packers are expecting to be in the hunt once again. The media on the other hand, is largely expecting a step back from Rodgers and company.
Rodgers has received a ton of criticism this offseason. Even though he put together a more than solid 2019 campaign, many have called him “washed up” and “no longer elite.” While everyone is entitled to their opinion, Rodgers is far from washed up.
Last season with the Packers, he completed 62 percent of his pass attempts for 4,002 yards, 26 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. Those aren’t numbers that a “washed up” quarterback puts up. He is still very much feared around the league as well.
However, entering the 2020 season, Rodgers is in an interesting position.
Green Bay made the surprising decision to trade up in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft to select Utah State quarterback Jordan Love. That signals the likelihood of the Packers moving on from Rodgers in the next few seasons. Rodgers wants to keep playing, which means he could end up elsewhere.
Even though the Packers drafted a quarterback, they need Rodgers more than ever. They didn’t add any major pieces to the offense. Devin Funchess, the only big offseason offensive addition, decided to opt out of the season due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Without adding any pieces around Rodgers, the Packers need the vintage Rodgers to show up. If he can’t make his teammates better around him, the Packers are going to struggle.
On the other hand, if Rodgers comes out this season with a chip on his shoulder, the Packers could be serious contenders. Davante Adams is an elite wide receiver, Aaron Jones is a star running back, and the Packers have a solid offensive line.
Expect to see Aaron Rodgers come through with a big-time season in 2020. He has extra motivation, which will result in a big-time year. The Packers are going to contend in 2020 and Rodgers will be a big reason why.
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