Can Aaron Rodgers Keep Wisconsin's MVP Mojo Going?

Yelich. Giannis. Will Aaron Rodgers be next?

It's been a big year for Wisconsin's biggest sports figures. The Brewers' Christian Yelich is the reigning MVP and has smashed 29 homers so far this season, putting him right in the thick of the race for back-to-back awards. The Bucks' Giannis Antetekounmpo was recently named the NBA's Most valuable Player, the first Buck to win the award since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did id 45 years ago. 

The Green Bay Packers return to training camp in about a month with plenty of questions dogging them heading into the season, especially with how dismal their last two campaigns have been. One of those questions: can Aaron Rodgers return to MVP form, and keep Wisconsin's string of MVP luck going?

Judging from the stat sheet alone, Rodgers had a solid year by the standards of most of the rest of the league in 2018. He threw 25 touchdowns to only two interceptions (a career low), 4,442 yards and a 97.6 rating.

But Rodgers simply is in a different category when it comes to expectations, and the stats never tell the entire story. It's a story that's been told time after time on this site already, but whether due to injury or ineffectiveness, Rodgers simply missed a lot of throws in 2018. His throwaway frequency was far beyond where it's ever been. His completion percentage (just over 62 percent) suffered and was the second-lowest of his career. He seemed to lack trust in his receiving corps, prompting concerns that with the group of receivers mostly unchaged heading into 2019 (and actually down one Randall Cobb), he may not fare much better.

It remains to be seen exactly how much of Rodgers' struggles (struggles by his standards, anyway) were due to injury and an antiquated Mike McCarthy offensive scheme. It could be that he comes out and lights the world on fire in 2019 and all is well again. But what's clear is the Packers need Rodgers to get back to playing MVP caliber ball and to meet the expectations that come with having the richest contract in NFL history.

If he does, and if he manages to earn an impressive third career MVP award, what a coup it would be for Wisconsin sports fans! Within just over a calendar year, all three major sports teams in the state would have had an MVP, something I feel has to be unprecedented, at least in modern sports. Off the top of my head, I'm having a hard time imagining another more localized set of MVPs in the major sports in such a short amount of time.

Truly an amazing time to be a Wisconsin sports fan, and just one more reason to hope Rodgers once agani returns to his own lofty standards this season.

 

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Tim Backes is a lifelong Packer fan and a contributor to CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter @timbackes for his Packer takes, random musings and Untappd beer check-ins.

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Comments (14)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Since'61's picture

June 27, 2019 at 10:18 am

This is pretty simple. Rodger’s effectiveness in 2019 or any season has been and will be determined by how well the OL protects him.

As stated by Andy Herman in an excellent article earlier this year, about 2/3s of Rodgers throw always we’re due to poor OL play and/or the young WRs failing to get open.

49 sacks and over 100 QB hits tells us all we need to know about how porous the OL was in 2018, especially the interior of the line. Get the # of sacks under 30 and less QB hits and keep Rodgers healthy and he will have a superb season, maybe even another MVP year. More stops and turnovers by the defense plus fewer stupid ST penalties and Rodgers will work with better field position which will help the offense even further. Thanks, Since ‘61

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Johnblood27's picture

June 27, 2019 at 10:28 am

Wow

Just Wow

You nailed exactly what the problem was and the recipe for success is with this simple string of sentences.

Shut down CHTV, we are done here.

Nicely done 61.

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Since'61's picture

June 27, 2019 at 02:02 pm

Thanks Johnblood. Since ‘61

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Lare's picture

June 27, 2019 at 10:39 am

As you say 61, the key to Rodgers success in 2019 will be in how well the OL protects him. And secondly, if the WRs are open and where they're supposed to be.

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Mark S's picture

June 27, 2019 at 10:50 am

Excellent points 51. I believe Rodgers clearly played more hurt than any of us imagined & let's call it what it was, playing on a broken leg & sprained MCL who knows how it affected his throwing. What is not in question was how pourous the OL was. When your playing behind a "look out" OL WITH a sprained MCL & broken leg how can you not get the yips?! Especially when your forte is your escapability which you probably question knowing how hurt you really are.

Now add in an offense that was so predictable that teams were correctly calling out plays pre-snap. That in turn necessitated massive changes on the fly both before & after the snap in turn demanding 4 essentially rookie receivers to successfully handle all that. Next to impossible.

Flip to this year. With a fully healthy Rodgers again, the OL brought back to GB standards & even just familiarity with system, adjustments & audibles for the young receivers and I think MVP AR will be back.

Better still the ML emphasis on a modern running game, probably finally finding useful roles for Graham & Lewis and that will finally utilize Jones to his full potential can pay huge dividends in the passing game as well.

If any or a couple of young WR make a 2nd yr jump I firmly believe we will have a "LOOK OUT!!!" offense, but it'll be defenses saying it. Best part is I think the defense may be better than the offense, which makes us competitive with anyone. As long as the new ST Coordinator can even just eliminate the negative plays we can go as far as our health carries us, & if finally blessed with that for the 1st time in 5 years our trophy may very well come home a 5th time.

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RCPackerFan's picture

June 27, 2019 at 11:05 am

Can Rodgers keep the MVP race going? Hell yes!

Honestly. He is my pick to be the MVP. With all of the criticism he has endured this offseason, I fully believe he is ready to tear the league apart.

There are a lot of factors to why I think Rodgers could have one of his better years yet.

First lets remember he got hurt in week 1 last year. He couldn't practice for a lot of the year and really toughed out his injuries. Even though he was injured he played all 16 games. Lets not forget that he had a down year. And in his down year he still threw for 4442 yards, 25 TD's and 2 INT's. He had a 97.2 rating. That was his down year.

With new coaches and a new scheme I truly think this will re-energize Rodgers. After the Rams game, he made the comment about loving their offense. This offense will be similar. Defenses won't know what is coming like they used to know. The scheme should help the other players as much as Rodgers.

The trio of WR's entering their 2nd year look to take a step. MVS has been running #2 most of the offseason. If he can take a year 2 jump, he could provide a huge boost to the offense. He has the speed to threaten the defense. They need that.

The TE position could really improve with a new scheme. Graham should be more on the same page as Rodgers. Lewis might actually get more involved in the defense.

RB's. They should get move involved in the offense. By running the ball more, it will actually help Rodgers. It will force defenses to respect the run, and it will open up more play action passes. Also they should factor more into the passing game.

OL. This maybe the biggest improvement. Getting Bulaga back and another year removed from his torn ACL should make our OT's one the best groups in the league. Essentially adding 3 new guys to the group should really help as well.

There are many factors into Rodgers winning the MVP title. I truly believe he can and will do that!

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IceBowl's picture

June 27, 2019 at 03:34 pm

RCPackerFan,

You say ... "First lets remember he got hurt in week 1 last year. He couldn't practice for a lot of the year and really toughed out his injuries. Even though he was injured he played all 16 games. Lets not forget that he had a down year. And in his down year he still threw for 4442 yards, 25 TD's and 2 INT's. He had a 97.2 rating. That was his down year."

Yes, very important and a huge (#1) factor. Plus, multiple points above.

But I think the #2 factor was ARod not throwing to open receivers. Holding the ball for 5+ seconds way too often. He has to make the throw when WR's are open no matter how much trust he does or does not have. Our WR's are paid too.

And maybe way fewer sacks and injuries.

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murf7777's picture

June 27, 2019 at 11:35 am

I’m all in, now you will have some improv when things breakdown and that is part of what makes Arod great but just throw the damn ball within 3 -4 seconds most of the time and you’ll shine with another MVP! Presnap movement and A good running game will help open things up as well.

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fastmoving's picture

June 27, 2019 at 02:28 pm

AR had his fair share of the struggles as well. No OL can hold up for 5 plus s every snap.
And maybe the WRs have not always been at the right spot, but AR clearly missed/did not see wide open ones.

Its never that easy.

But on the upside, we dont need a MVP season out of him to have a good year. Top 5 would be more than enought.

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IceBowl's picture

June 27, 2019 at 03:40 pm

Another important point is that ARod (and the O), in all likelihood, will have a better (for sure) or much better 2nd half of the season.

Improvement is always a nice tie breaker.

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Ryan3468's picture

June 27, 2019 at 10:08 pm

Offensive line play needs to be worlds away from where it was last year. Play calling and of course utilizing running backs, and finding groups of players on the field. The depth is there. It’s just people need actual playing time. Jimmy Graham should be used as a red zone specialist. Really hoping to see good rotation for pass rushers. Smooth all around. Managing the clock. Playing more with an identity. Hoping for a good arc, and management of the roster. We haven’t sunk as far as the Sherman days, but the arrow seems to be getting ready to point upward. Some hungry young dudes about to get a shot.

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Lphill's picture

June 28, 2019 at 05:40 am

I would like to see the stats from last season of how many games Rodgers was already playing down a score, it seemed like every game MM deferred and then the other team marched down the field and scored . I am so sick of seeing that , what does deferring actually do for you besides put you in a hole right away, win the toss take the ball and go down and score , that’s how it should be this season.

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IceBowl's picture

July 01, 2019 at 03:04 pm

Lphill,

9 times ARod was playing from behind. (Wks 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17)

Easy to find too.

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Sol's picture

June 28, 2019 at 09:55 am

Considering all the rule changes to bolster the passing game and the fact that over the last ten years the league MVP is almost always a Quarter back, I feel his chances are very good considering he is one of the leagues top QB's.

When you look at all the resources GB has poured into the Defense, that should generate more bites at the apple and a winning record, it all kind of comes down to his health, team injuries and ball security. Although I can see a situation that might hurt his numbers is where they aren’t playing from behind or always trying to win the game in the fourth quarter thus generating fewer spectacular numbers and actually hurting his chances at MVP.

I am sure that if you talked to AR he would tell you that his number one job is to make everyone around him look good and the rest kind of takes care of itself.

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