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Aaron Rodgers left Sunday night’s loss against the Eagles in the third quarter with a rib injury that left him unable to carry his bag to the bus and left the team he’s led since 2008 with an easy decision to make – give the keys of the franchise to Jordan Love.
The Packers fell to 4-8 with their 40-33 loss to the Eagles and their season is pretty much done. But they were able to take a positive from their defeat to the team with the NFL’s best record – they saw Love make some big plays down the stretch, including a 63-yard TD pass, and look comfortable taking over for Rodgers.
They saw their future out there wearing No. 10 and looking them dead in the eyes.
Now it’s just time for the team to tell No. 12 that they appreciate everything he’s done for them over the years but football is a tough business and now that business is shifting to Love.
Rodgers said after the game that he thinks the team needs to win all five of its remaining games and then get some luck to get into the playoffs. And he was right about all of that. Their chances are slim to none, with none looking pretty darn realistic right now.
He also said that if the tests on his body come back OK on Monday then he’ll be ready to go this coming Sunday against the hated Bears. And he was wrong about all of that.
But let’s be honest – the Packers aren’t winning their five remaining games and they’re not going to the playoffs.
And let’s be more honest – Rodgers is one of the best QBs to ever play the game and he’s always going to want to shake things off and get back in there, which is impressive. But no matter what those tests say about his banged up ribs, it’s time for him to put on a jacket and watch from the sidelines and help his backup, who the team took in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, adjust to a new role that comes with a lot of weight to carry.
Will the Packers do that – bench Rodgers – if the doctors say things are good? He has been playing with a broken thumb on his throwing hand for weeks and now he has issues with his ribs. He also turns 39 later this week and I can’t imagine anything less fun at that age than playing tackle football in the freezing cold against grown men who would love nothing more than to slam you to the turf.
There’s nothing left for Rodgers to do here. There’s a lot left for the Packers to learn from with Love.
The timing all just seems to be right.
Will the Packers have the guts to do it?
Their fans should hope so.
Quick hits: NFL fans roasted Zach Wilson… NFL Week 12 Awards… McVay takes brutal hit to the face… And more.
– Zach Wilson didn’t play yesterday but he still took a big hit from an incredibly brutal/accurate by Fox Sports.
– My NFL Week 12 Awards kick off with the thong-wearing Jaguars’ mascot having Sunday’s most spectacular TD celebration.
– Rams coach Sean McVay took a huge hit to the face on the sideline during Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs.
– Jacoby Brissett hilariously used Tom Brady’s F-bomb line after beating the Bucs in OT.
