Is Aaron Rodgers Overrated?

Now, before you all Google Map search my house and load your pistols and sharpen your knives to come and end me, please understand this. I think Aaron Rodgers is one of the elite quarterbacks in the National Football League. I think he has risen the ranks at a faster pace then anyone ever expected, and also has accomplished more then anyone seemed possible. I am only being a devil's advocate in this situation, to put you in the shoes of non-Packer fans and how they see Aaron Rodgers. Let's start this all in April of 2005.

"With the 1st pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, the San Fransisco 49ers select...." Paul Tagliabue's next words out of his mouth were supposed to be Aaron Rodgers out of California, who was considered the #1 pick on many of analyst's mock drafts. Instead, San Fransisco selected Alex Smith out of Utah to shock the football world. Rodger's draft stock immediately dropped, as no middle teams needed a quarterback. Linebackers, cornerbacks, and running backs went heavy in the first round, which made people wonder, when will Rodgers go, and to who? That team, as we know, was the Green Bay Packers.

Meanwhile, the Packers were coming off a disappointing playoff run, much like the one we witnessed this year as well. The Packers lost to the Vikings at Lambeau Field in the infamous "Randy Moss moons the fans" game. Brett Favre had a very poor performance, throwing for only 216 yards and 1 touchdown, with 4 interceptions. It became known painfully that Brett Favre's time on the frozen tundra were coming to an end. But, who could ever replace the likes of the legend of Brett Favre? This brings me to the point of the title. Is Aaron Rodgers overrated?

Us, as Packer fans, have been spoiled for over a decade and a half with having a contending team. In our minds, the day Brett Favre wasn't our quarterback was the day Green Bay was doomed. No more NFC North Titles, no more playoff births, no more Super Bowls. Favre is what we became used to. It was our comfort zone. No one could ever do what Brett Favre had done for Green Bay, right? No one would even come close to breaking his records anytime soon, right? Well, to say we were wrong would be an understatement.

I think there is some truth to why Packer's fans hold Aaron Rodgers at such a high regard. He was brought to our team by a gamble of not only by San Fransisco, but by us as well. Aaron Rodgers was considered in the locker room as a joke and some coaches said he would never make it in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers, by leaps and bounds, has exceeded those expectations and silenced the non-believers. So in our eyes, in the midst of adversity, Aaron Rodgers became our quarterback when Green Bay parted ways with Brett Favre and kept the Packers as a contending team. Packers fans view him as a savior, regular football fans view him as just another quarterback. What Aaron Rodgers means to Green Bay is what Drew Brees means to New Orleans. He's more then a quarterback, he's a hero. As long as Rodgers stays consistent with his play in years to come, the talks of Aaron being overrated with slowly dwindle away.

Again, I want to reiterate, I do not personally think Aaron Rodgers is overrated, so please don't "Buster Olney" me (see his blog on Ryan Braun on ESPN). This is neutral post. I'm just shining some light on everyone to realize how good us as Packers fans have it. Some teams don't have the luxury of having consistently productive quarterbacks (ex. Chicago Bears). So, enjoy the times that we still have as a dominate football teams. And who knows, maybe 10 years from now, I'll have a similar blog talking about our great quarterback that replaced the legend, Aaron Rodgers.

Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.

-Andrew Vrchota (@WSB_Andrew)

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