McCarthy: Aaron Rodgers Is At The Peak

There has been plenty of talk about how long Aaron Rodgers will play. Rodgers says he wants to play until he’s 40. His new six-year contract will give him the opportunity to do that.

Some outsiders have suggested that at 34 years old, Rodgers is going to start to decline.

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy thinks that notion is hogwash. McCarthy thinks Rodgers can easily play until he’s 40.

“I think it’s very realistic,” McCarthy said. “Just if you look at his path and particularly just the way he trains and just look at physically — he’s at the peak right now, just the way he moves and his ability to the throw the football. To play the position separately, obviously he’s at the top of his game there, too.”

McCarthy went on to note the proverbial chip on Rodgers’ shoulder. He’s used different things to motivate himself over the years — from his lack of Division 1 scholarship offers, to his draft position, to things analysts said about him coming out of college.

“I think it’s important for you to write an article that says he can’t make it to 40,” McCarthy said. “Then he’ll play til 45.”

Playing until 40 does seem like a legitimate goal for Rodgers. He’s often noted how he’s changed his diet and training regime. To some degree, he seems to be following Tom Brady’s roadmap. Brady is 41 and doesn’t look like he’s slowing down at all.

Rodgers has the physical tools. If his body cooperates, maybe he can play beyond his 40th birthday. And that would probably be better than starting the DeShone Kizer era.