Aaron Rodgers, the veteran quarterback and future Hall of Famer, has experienced a significant reality check as he ranks 20th among 93 quarterbacks in FanSided’s pre-season project. This ranking comes as a surprise to many, especially considering Rodgers' illustrious career and past accolades.
The ranking was determined by a panel of 50 experts who evaluated each quarterback on a 12-point scale. Rodgers received a score of 7.52, which places him in a unique tier labeled ‘Solid Starter’. This tier is notably below a group of 11 quarterbacks classified as ‘Strong QB1’, which includes rising talents like Caleb Williams, Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, Jayden Daniels, and Jared Goff.
In a particularly striking twist, C.J. Stroud is positioned just ahead of Rodgers, while Kyler Murray, another prominent quarterback, ranks right behind him at 21st. Murray is categorized as a ‘Game Manager’, alongside players such as Daniel Jones, Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, and Bryce Young. Rodgers' score was alarmingly close to entering this lower bracket, highlighting the perception of his performance decline.
Despite putting up respectable numbers last season—3,322 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions across 16 games—analysts have noted a decline in his mobility and an apparent hesitation in the pocket. These factors have contributed to the lower expectations surrounding his performance as he prepares for the upcoming season.
As the Pittsburgh Steelers gear up for their Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, there is hope that the return of head coach Mike McCarthy will rejuvenate Rodgers’ play. However, given his age and current ranking, Steelers fans may need to temper their expectations as the season unfolds.
The unexpected comparison to Kyler Murray adds another layer to the narrative surrounding Rodgers. Former teammate Chris Streveler has suggested that both quarterbacks share similarities in how they are perceived by the media. He remarked, ‘I’ve been around a lot of guys who have been somewhat misunderstood. Kyler being one of them. Aaron Rodgers was another. I had positive experiences with both of those guys.’
Streveler further emphasized that the media often amplifies narratives surrounding players, which can overshadow their actual performance. He also praised Murray’s combination of arm strength and mobility, likening his talent to that of Lamar Jackson. As Rodgers watches from Pittsburgh, he finds himself in a situation where his narrative has been well-established, while Murray is still working to reshape his own.
As the NFL season approaches, both quarterbacks face challenges ahead, with rankings indicating that they have significant work to do to regain their elite status in the league.
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