Aaron Rodgers: Washed up or just plain weird?
Aaron Rodgers, quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, has terrorized defenses for well over a decade. Leading the charge on a team that is decorated with historical accolades is no small feat, but a task that he has mostly been up for. The four-time Most Valuable Player award winner and Super Bowl champion has engraved his name among the best of all-time, but this season has been less than adequate for the 38-year old quarterback. A losing record this late into a career is often a sign that it might be time to hang up the spikes.
The Packers are notorious for dominating the regular season and inevitably falling apart in the playoffs; however, a losing record this far into the season and a tough schedule ahead does not guarantee them a postseason appearance. While Rodgers has led them to the playoffs more often than not, the decline in his play is holding them back. With more interceptions so far this season than he had all last year, and a lower rating than we have seen in nearly ten years from him, it is quite clear what the issue is. While his performance is underwhelming, that is not the only problem.
In 2022, it seems that the true issue with Rodgers is his off-field antics. His behavior has been odd; people became more aware of his thoughts when COVID-19 was the talk of the world, and Rodgers refused to receive a vaccine, but instead claimed to be “immunized.” Instead of getting a vaccine, he conducted his own treatments to keep himself safe, but still tested positive for the virus following his claims. He then violated policies put in place by the NFL and was out in public unmasked, and even did a press conference without covering his face. Many saw this behavior as inconsiderate, but it seems more mindless than anything else.
His behavior unfortunately does not stop there, and he has garnered even more attention recently. While the relationship troubles have been newsworthy, and a very odd video of him was taken at a team practice, he managed to top all of it. This year, he publicly announced that he had previously gone to Peru where he consumed ayahuasca, a South American brewed drink that often leads to hallucinations and psychedelic episodes. While it is often used for spiritual cleansing amongst shamans, it apparently also works well on back-to-back MVPs.
What professional athletes choose to do in their free time is not anyone’s business, but it seems that people take notice when the player fails to perform at an acceptable level. The reigning MVP is now ranked anywhere from 10-15 amongst quarterbacks, depending on the source. As the chances of the Packers being a contender this season dwindle, Rodgers placing the blame on his teammates does not help in the slightest. It is undeniable the impact he has had on the game and will always be remembered as one of the best players of all time; but his fall from greatness is one that many football fans have been aching for, and one that may lead to his retirement in the near future.