The notion of Aaron Rodgers as some infallible god gets on our nerves.
Great quarterback, yes. Great leader… eh. We certainly wouldn’t go that far.
And let’s face it, Rodgers lays the occasional turd out there on the field just like everyone else. Saw it two weeks ago in Denver. Saw it in the NFC Championship game.
Thankfully, he doesn’t have games like that as often as most quarterbacks do. We tend to think that means most people give him a pass.
They give him a pass when he places the blame elsewhere. They give him a pass for not winning playoff games.
Well, the Green Bay Packers’ recent performances have seemingly shined a light on some of QB1’s shortcomings. Losing has a way of doing that. So, for the first time we’re hearing stories about Rodgers possibly not being all he’s made out to be.
Here’s one, which Colin Cowherd discussed on his show on Monday. It starts out painting Rodgers as moody and petulant. The overall point being, he’s not a great leader.
Mike McCarthy is his head coach. My sources in the league have said, over time, they don’t love each other. Mike McCarthy is absolutely considered one of the top offensive minds in the National Football League and a top-five play caller in this league if you ask around. He and Aaron don’t see eye to eye. So this year McCarthy relieved himself, stepped away from the play calling duties and what do you know? Aaron Rodgers isn’t quite as good.
Aaron Rodgers is not easy to get along with. I feel that, from sources, is true. I know a former Green Bay Packer who was on several teams, with several good quarterbacks, told me Rodgers could be moody week-to-week and day-to-day. There have been three different Packer players — Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jermichael Finley — who have been critical of him while being a teammate.
So he’s fought with his head coach. I know that to be true. He’s not always gotten along with teammates. I know that to be true. He still holds a grudge against Cal (for firing his coach, Jeff Tedford). Have you ever seen him introduced before a game? You list your alma mater and he says, “Butte Community College?” Awfully juvenile, right, for a star quarterback?
Is it outrageous to suggest that maybe Aaron Rodgers is a remarkable talent, but isn’t always elevating the locker room as a whole?
We do think it’s fair to suggest that.
Then came this, which was a bit more of a surprise.
The running joke in Green Bay and in that division for years has been, “Do you know the difference between Jay Cutler and Aaron Rodgers? Aaron can play.” Or in other words, they’re both a pain in the butt.
Watch the whole thing right here.