Despite what you’re told, Aaron Rodgers has still got it

The NFL media is quick to bury the quarterback at age 41, but he’s still playing well individually

There might not be another NFL player more divisive in 2024 than Aaron Rodgers. With the New York Jets suffering yet another miserable season at a 4-10 record, the NFL media and fans are quick to turn on the age 41 quarterback:

But this isn’t a post on the dynamics of Rodgers’ career—and what is potentially left of it—or a dive into the future of the quarterback position for the Jets franchise. This is about this weekend’s game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Jets. It’s a high-stakes matchup for LA, and one that carries notable importance in the NFC playoff picture.

While many are quick to write off Rodgers, this is my warning to Rams fans: he’s still got it.

Don’t allow yourself to believe that Rodgers isn’t playing like a top quarterback this year… because he is.

Don’t choose to think that the Jets don’t have enough offensive talent to cause fits for a young Los Angeles defense… because they do.

While New York has a lot of problems—you don’t fall to 4-10 without deep, structural issues most of the time—they can be frisky enough to play spoiler to a Rams team that have a lot riding on this single game.

The Jets have a lot of issues

It’s hard to believe that the Jets could see an immense upgrade at quarterback and still see the same end result in terms of record; however, the Jets have taken a big step backwards as a team.

The scheme was a disaster from day one. Rodgers hand-selected Nate Hackett as offense coordinator and deserves a portion of the criticism for why it didn’t work out. Still, the New York offense is devoid of easy layups and receivers that are schemed open. These are commonplace in the Shanahan and McVay coached offenses.

The Jets’ defense also regressed. By moving on from Bryce Huff in free agency and trading for Haason Reddick, New York effectively got older, more expensive, and less productive at EDGE rusher. One of the Jets other productive rushers, former Ram John Franklin-Myers, was traded to the Denver Broncos. Quinnen Williams hasn’t lived up to the standard that he set for himself a year ago. The result: a once scary defensive line came back down to earth in a big way.

Aaron Rodgers still playing at a high level

While he might be a notch or two below his previous MVP level of performance, Rodgers is still playing like a top quarterback in the FL. He’s still got it at 41.

In 2024 he has a PFF passing of 78.4, 23 big-time throws, 10 turnover-worthy plays, and a 73.6% adjusted completion rate.

For comparison, Rams QB Matthew Stafford has a passing grade of 72.2, 21 big-time throws, 17 turnover-worthy plays, and a 72.7% adjusted completion percentage.

Rodgers is sixth in big-time throws while Stafford is tied for eighth with CJ Stroud. The only signal callers in front of Rodgers are Josh Allen (33), Sam Darnold (29), Joe Burrow (29), Justin Herbert (27), and Geno Smith (25).

In terms of turnover-worthy plays, Rodgers has the third-lowest rate behind only Jayden Daniels and Lamar Jackson as far as full-time starters go. Stafford is 19th if you narrow to quarterbacks with at least 291 dropbacks.

One area in which Rodgers has regressed is his adjusted completion percentage, which suggests that his accuracy has declined to a degree. His 2024 rate of 73.6% is notably below his career rate of 76.4%. Out of seasons where the veteran has played more than 35 snaps, this season is his worst other than 2015 (72.3%).

The Rams defense must be weary of Rodgers, because if they don’t rise to the occasion he will make them pay in a game that carries immense weight in the NFC playoff race.