Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) talks with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after the game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

For years and years, Green Bay’s beloved Aaron Rodgers has been in the GOAT debate. For a long time he was seen as a top 10 all-time QB, then as the MVPs racked up he was seen as an actual candidate for greatest of all time.

However, despite Rodgers bringing in 4 of those beloved MVP awards, no Lombardi trophies followed after that crazy Super Bowl run in 2010.

Given Tom Brady’s run it seems easy to chalk it up as no one being to beat the real GOAT. However, Patrick Mahomes’ new run has somewhat dispelled that notion. A lot of Rodgers criticisms have been tossed onto Mahomes, who in less time has already gotten 2 more trophies than Rodgers. Does that mean Aaron can still be considered the GOAT?

Is Aaron Rodgers The GOAT? A Case For Why He Is

There are several reasons why, to this day, Aaron is a GOAT contender.

First and foremost, Aaron Rodgers is one of the most talented QBs to ever touch the gridiron. His arm strength and accuracy are arguably unparalleled, even by other greats such as Dan Marino and Brett Favre. Mahomes, as insanely talented as he is, doesn’t have the touch on medium passes that Rodgers has had.

Then there are the stats to back up the eye test. Aaron is 5th all-time in TDs and 9th all-time in passing yards. He’s also tied for 9th all-time in playoff victories, so the knock on his postseason performances can be shrugged off.

The 4 MVPs cannot be overlooked either. For some reason, winning an impressive trophy that many times just doesn’t cut it for some people. The only other QB to win that many is Peyton Manning with 5.

Is Aaron Rodgers The GOAT? A Case For Why He Isn’t

The competition for GOAT status is hard in every sport, not just the NFL. Tom Brady has to compete with Deion Sanders, Lawrence Taylor, and many others.

Apr 22, 2023; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the first half of the spring game at Folsom Filed. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports (NBA News)

As far as QBs only go, guys such as Dan Marino and Steve Young are never considered. So to say the competition is stiff is putting it lightly. Rodgers has to beat out QBs like Favre and Elway, and everyone knows how idolized those guys are (at least for their contributions on the field).

Then there’s the rings. Rodgers certainly passes the eye test and award count, that’s for certain. But if he’s that good, why does he only have one ring? Despite football being a team sport, QBs are measured seemingly almost by this statistic alone. Rodgers unfortunately has the label of being a playoff choker at this point.

Call it unfair but the 3 names you hear the most in the GOAT conversation are Brady, Montana, and Mahomes. Even Manning who, like Rodgers, is arguably the most dominant regular season QB ever, isn’t in the Convo because of his postseason performance.

Green Bay Packers linebacker Lukas Van Ness (90) sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during their football game Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.

Lastly, the way the last few years have gone down has only hurt Aaron’s credibility and public perception. It’s not the QB criteria but the off-the-field issues that hurt him. Playing mind games with the Packer’s front office and lying about being vaccinated has soiled not just NFL fans’ feelings about Aaron, but even a lot of Packers fans. Certain teammates have come out and spoken against him. Can the GOAT be this controversial, even if what he’s doing isn’t that bad or dangerous to other people?

Dec 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (center) gestures before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Jets at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

It’s about the rings. It’s extremely unfair in some ways, as Terry Bradshaw has 4 and Trent Dilfer has 1. They’re not bad QBs by any means, especially Bradshaw, but the point remains that it’s a team sport where one player gets all the credit.

If Rodgers wins it with the Jets, maybe he’ll get the respect and discussion he arguably deserves now. But the reason he was in it GOAT discussion a few years ago was due to the potential he had to win it with the high seedings the Packers were earning, and unfortunately, he didn’t.

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