Cory's Corner: Aaron Rodgers Is A Legit MVP Candidate
I've been saying the same thing over and over since Jordan Love was taken with the 26th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Aaron Rodgers is still a top five passer in this league. He can do things that only Russell Wilson and Pat Mahomes can do.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Aaron Rodgers wins MVP this year, man," James Jones said on the Pat McAfee Show. "He's a guy who's always going to accept a challenge, who's always going to rise to the occasion."
We all saw Rodgers' motivation when he sat on his hands in the Green Room while waiting to be picked in the 2005 NFL Draft. Then he had to sit behind Brett Favre for three seasons before finally getting his first pro start in his fourth season. And even though Rodgers threw for a career-high 13 picks in 2008, he was sixth in passer rating ahead of Tony Romo and Ben Roethlisberger. Romo had 39 career starts under his belt after that regular season and Roethlisberger had 71.
Rodgers proved back then that former Packers general manager Ted Thompson made the right decision to go with him and he came into the league ready to prove it.
It's no different now as training camp is about two months away.
Remember, Rodgers didn't exactly give a strong endorsement for his wideouts a couple weeks ago. "I like where we're at, and you know, as always, we're going to be expecting those young players whether they're rookies or second-or third-year guys to make that jump, and we're going to be calling on them to play an even bigger role for us," Rodgers said in a conference call.
Which puts the onus back on Rodgers this year. I would expect Rodgers to have a razor sharp focus. He isn't going to swallow a lot of mistakes in practice this year and he's going to expect a high bar from everyone else. You know how Michael Jordan drove his teammates nuts with his obsession to win? It's going to be like that for Rodgers this year. He has a dominant No. 1 wideout in Davante Adams, but who is going to step up on the other side? Can Jace Sternberger live up to expectations as a solid pass-catching tight end? Rodgers knows that he doesn't much choice but to put his faith in unproven guys because that's the hand he's been dealt.
Rodgers has answered questions about Love perfectly. And since the Packers traded up in the first round to get the Utah State quarterback, Rodgers knows that the clock is ticking.
"And now you have a guy in the first round who's eventually going to have to play," Jones said. "We don't know if it's four years, two years, we don't know if it's going to be 10. But we know when you taker a guy in the first round, they are going to want to see him play before his contract is up."
Go ahead and doubt Rodgers, because he's going to go out and surprise you.
"I believe @AaronRodgers12 is going to come out and he will win MVP this year he's going to have a chip on his shoulder"@89JonesNTAF on the #Packers draft decisions and upcoming season #PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/8DTNXke2tM
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 28, 2020
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
__________________________
Comments (20)
Johnblood27
May 30, 2020 at 08:19 am
James Jones is the worlds biggest Aaron Rodgers sycophant.
I would respect the views stated in the article more if it was from almost any other source (NOTHING from PFT deserves any respect at all).
I also hope for an MVP type season from AR, however I am a lifelong (long life too) Packers fan and should always hope for the absolute best case scenario each and every year.
Hell, I watched and rooted and actually expected wins during the 70's and 80's! Sunday mornings = hope and faith, Sunday evenings = disappointment and sadness. Im still here.
michael562
May 30, 2020 at 09:03 am
Thank you, same for me. I was in the service with a bunch of Baltimore Colts fans, and it was brutal on Sundays.
Stroh
May 30, 2020 at 10:44 pm
Thank You for serving. I too remember (while actually living in GB) going to church Sunday mornings then going home to watch the Packers. During the 70's and 80's it was particularly brutal. in GB.
Packer_Fan
May 30, 2020 at 08:31 am
I don't care about being a MVP. I want Rodgers to play well, lead the team to the playoffs and play even better in the playoffs. That type of recognition is nice but winning Super bowls is wht they play the game
fastmoving
May 30, 2020 at 08:43 am
Corey, you are the King of Clickbaiting on CHTV thats for sure. Other than that, a top 10 season out of 12 would be good enough for the PACK. But not sure he can do that.
The "shipontheshoulder-thing" is long over. Her made tons of money, got a title and MVPs. The ship has sailed long ago. Maybe thats the problem……….
And I wrote it all over again and again, its easy to see thats not the fault of the wideouts.
NickPerry
May 30, 2020 at 08:40 am
I think we'll get a especially solid season from Rodgers but a lot has to go right for him to win his 3rd MVP. But if he's going to be in the running, he can't be afraid to throw over the middle and he's GOT to take that open receiver instead of the deep ball down the sideline to no one. We also have to remember the Packers are now a running team which still really strange for me to say, especially with a QB like Rodgers. BUT the running game the Packers will have this year could be one of if not the best in the NFL. Jones, Dillion, and Williams is a pretty formidable group of RB's who can do a lot of different things. Besides it's the running game in this offense that opens EVERYTHING up. It's up to Rodgers to play within the MLF offense MORE than reverting back to the MM offense like he did so much last year.
Rodgers HAS to stay with the youngsters even when they drop a ball. Save the dirty glances towards the kids and pat them on the butt letting them know we'll get them next time and go right back to them.
The Packers have something in Lazard. He may not be the fastest or the quickest, but he showed a lot last year, especially at the end of the season and on 3rd downs. EQ is my dark horse to break out and if Funchess can eliminate the drops that have plagued him in college and the NFL, the Packers WR's suddenly don't look too bad. Sternberger IMO is a really exciting TE, one who I think is ready to step up. For ONCE it will be the Packers smoking defenses down the middle with the TE.
If ALL this happens then yes, Rodgers can will a 3rd MVP.
PhantomII
May 31, 2020 at 02:38 pm
I think our renewed focus on the running games is to moderate Rodgers consistently ignoring the short open receiver and moving the chains. It is his only true flaw in his game and the only rule he has not learned. You have to take what the other team gives you.
Roadrunner23
May 30, 2020 at 09:34 am
Cory, If the packers are going to be a run first play action team, then any dreams of Rogers being the MVP are not realistic. Last season Aaron Jones had 23 touchdowns, that’s great but those our touchdown passes that Aaron Rodgers is not going to throw and that’s OK. MVP is all about stats and Aaron Rodgers is not going to put up Patrick Mahomes numbers. The packers are just not built that way now and again that’s OK just as long as they keep winning that’s all that matters. Actually I would just rather have Rogers play really good football and not be an MVPBecause it will go to his already large ego. Which he’s earned but Leflore is trying to get Rogers to play less like Rogers of 2010 and more like the game manager that he wants him to be. When ugly win anyway you can!Forget about MVP and all that junk we won a Super Bowl not individual owners that don’t mean squat.
Roadrunner23
May 30, 2020 at 09:35 am
Sorry about spellcheck I should’ve double checked but U get the idea ha ha
TarynsEyes
May 30, 2020 at 09:55 am
Rodgers is already a first ballot HOF, and with that;
Let's keep the eye on the ball that matters now and always, winning the SB. Any player that wins a personal accolade while the team wins the SB prize is great, but personal never comes over team. Rodgers getting another MVP does absolutely nothing for the team or me as a fan, unless the Lombardi Trophy is being celebrated first.
TheBigCheeze
May 30, 2020 at 10:19 am
Rodgers could win it every year if those damn fool WRs would catch the ball.....
Leatherhead
May 30, 2020 at 11:00 am
It’s about winning.
Please, no stupid put downs of “game managers”. I’ll take a game manager who can manage wins over a playmaker who can’t. I’m totally confident that Rodgers isn’t going to cost us games by turning it over while trying to “make a play”. (That was the preferred excuse of our previous playmaker at QB).
Manage the game. Give your teammates a chance. Be aware of the situation. Much better than a bunch of big numbers.
Since'61
May 30, 2020 at 11:07 am
Anything can happen, but I believe that it will be difficult for Rodgers to win an MVP in 2020 for 2 reasons.
First, compare the current Packers receiving corps with the Packers receiving corps in 2011 and 2014. After Adams Rodgers doesn’t have a legit NFL level receiver. At least not one who has shown up yet. Second, compare the current Packers OL with the 2011 and 2014 OLs. The current left side of the OL is solid but the right side is a double turnstile with Turner and Wagner.
As Nick Perry correctly points out everything will need to break correctly for Rodgers to achieve another MVP which is really not important compared with winning another SB.
The 2011 and 2014 Packer offenses had solid, proven players at WR and on the OL. After Rodgers, A. Jones, Adams, Bak, Jenkins and Linsley the Packers offense has hopes, wishes, dreams and question marks. The loss of Jones or Adams or Bak to injury and this offense is in trouble. Add in the fact that the offense is being built so that Rodgers no longer needs to do it all and the chances of an MVP decline further.
As usual the level of Rodgers play is the last thing we need to worry about whether he wins an MVP or not. As I have posted numerous times here over the years if every player on the roster played their position as well as Rodgers plays QB we would be undefeated SB champs. Stay well. Thanks, Since ‘61
dobber
May 30, 2020 at 11:38 am
Agreed: this team isn't aligned to turn ARod into an MVP. A QB has won the award 12 of the last 13 seasons, and usually QBs who generate a lot of excitement with their legs (Cam, Jackson) or QBs with live arms on rosters that boast good OLs and deep receiving corps. This isn't one of those teams. Admittedly, the QB gets too much credit when a team wins and too much when a team loses, but at 13-3 in 2019 and throwing a paltry 4 INTs, ARod was nowhere near that conversation.
Handsback
May 30, 2020 at 02:01 pm
Last year Jones said the Packers would 13-3. If he said that about Rodgers...I will listen, watch, and assume he'll be in the running.
Adorabelle
May 30, 2020 at 08:43 pm
I expect the Packers to play well but I don't expect that will include enough stats to make Rodgers any sort of MVP candidate.
Brett Favre made Bill Schroeder a 1000 yard receiver and a solid number 2 guy for like three seasons, we need Rodgers to do that with one of these 2-5 guys (Lazard, Funchess, EQ etc)
Leatherhead
May 30, 2020 at 09:48 pm
Adotabelle.....out #2 committee from last year (Lazard, Allison, MSV) were well over that. They had like 95 catches among them. I think this year’s committee with Funchess replacing Allison , and another year of experience for Lazard and MSV could be better than last year’s.
Stroh
May 30, 2020 at 11:39 pm
That #2 by committee says it all. The Packers don't have a legit #2, they have a bunch of #4 WR. Lazard seems to be the leader of the #2 by committee group but its a sham to even suggest any or the group is a #2. Lazard is on the Packers, but that doesn't mean much since on every other team he would be a #4.
This year IF Rodgers plays the system LaFleur wants to run, they will be a strong running team and Rodgers will simply need to make the plays that are there for him. Working play action off the running game won't win Rodgers an MVP, but it would help the Packers win alot of games.
PhantomII
May 31, 2020 at 02:48 pm
MVS post of working out with Randy Moss. I expect MVS takes another step if he stays healthy. Moss works those guys hard.
Adorabelle
May 31, 2020 at 01:07 am
You mean that the 2019 Packers threw for over 4000 yards and 26 receiving tds? But I thought they had the most terrible receivers ever and needed to draft one in each of the first five rounds of the draft? lol
Yes I agree. Lazard, Funchess, and whoever else emerges alongside Adams along with tight ends and backs catching the ball should be a weapon filled offense. But no one seems to think so.
My point was that no one is going to think Bill Schroeder was a great NFL receiver but he had near 1000 yards three years straight and 9 tds one year. He busted as soon as he left and Favre was no longer his QB and was out of the league two years after that. But Favre made him produce and Rodgers needs to do that as well. I don't even know who the heck Corey Bradford is and he had over 600 yards receiving and 5 tds in 1999. LOL