OPINION: Rodgers’ Confidence Palpable in 4-0 Start
Aaron Rodgers has given few hints as to what he saw on film or what he changed in his life this offseason, but whatever it is needs to be bottled and sold.
Not only has his play risen to levels we have not seen over the past five or more seasons, but the man is visibly happier than we have seen in some time. Perhaps it is more of a sign of my own cynicism towards 2020 in general, but the latter feels like as much of an accomplishment as the former.
His success is most evident statistically, where the 4-0 Packers are out to a torrid pace thanks in large part to the efficiency of their signal-caller. Through four games, Rodgers has a career-high completion percentage of 70.5, half as many touchdowns (13) as he had all of last season (26), a mere three sacks and zero turnovers.
The completion percentage and minimal sacks stand out the most as not only an indication of how well the offensive line is pass blocking, but how often Matt LaFleur’s offense is designed to get the ball out quickly. The average time in which Rodgers has the ball in his hands from the snap to the throw is 2.72 seconds, down from 2.88 seconds in 2019, according to NFL NextGen Stats.
Gone seem to be the days of Mike McCarthy’s five wide receiver sets that left the pass blocking vulnerable and Rodgers often fighting to extend plays. LaFleur’s use of motion and offensive packages that provide additional protection and safety valves have allowed Rodgers the freedom to look for big plays while having the option to check down as well. While avoiding sacks through liberal use of the throwaway in recent years has been a staple of Rodgers’ game in the recent past, his comfort in LaFleur’s system is evident as throws come out more decisively.
Not only do the numbers and highlights look good, but so does the time between the whistles. Rodgers looks more engaged with his young receivers between plays and on the sideline, and his weekly appearances on the Pat McAfee Show have shed a little light on his recent perspective.
“I have just a new and increased love of life and I have made decisions and changes and habits that put me in a lot better headspace,” Rodgers said on McAfee’s Sept. 22 show. “There’s just a lot of things that have come together in my life over the last few months that have really been enjoyable and reminded me, given me perspective in life and in football to view things through the most positive lens I possibly can. And that’s why I’m having so much fun and it starts with love. And you surround yourself with people that you really enjoy.”
Whatever can be made of that admittedly cryptic answer, it is great as a Packers fan to simply see QB1 in a better headspace. From the moment he was drafted, Rodgers has dealt with adversity and distractions off the field. He has risen above that adversity to carve out an admirable legacy. If he keeps up this pace, Green Bay looks to be every bit the Super Bowl contenders they hoped to be entering this season.
