If you grade Aaron Rodgers season just based off his statistical performance he deserves an A. Rodgers finished the season with 4,442 passing yards, 25 touchdowns to only two interceptions and a passer rating of 97.6. However, when it comes to grading Rodgers' season, the stats do not tell everything. In turn, a C-plus rating feels more adequate.
The 2018 regular season was a disappointment for the Green Bay Packers. Expectations for Green Bay were high entering the season. Even CBS analyst Tony Romo predicted the Packers to make the Super Bowl. Most expectations were based off how well Aaron Rodgers would play this season coming off his collarbone injury.
This is the first time since Rodgers' first year as a starter Green Bay missed the playoffs with QB starting all 16 games. In addition to missing the playoffs the Packers were involved in other dysfunction this season. Head coach Mike McCarthy was fired mid-season and Rodgers is not absolved for why he got fired.
After over a decade of McCarthy calling plays, Rodgers and McCarthy relationship became strained. Multiple times Rodgers would give quotes hinting to the ups and downs in his and McCarthy relationship. It's certainly worth noting, Rodgers just became the highest paid player in the NFL last offseason. Green Bay had to choose him over McCarthy.
Rodgers Seemed Off
As mentioned earlier, Rodgers stats were once again off the carts this year. He finished with a touchdown to interception ratio of 12.5. Including breaking the record for the most passing attempts without throwing an interceptions.
Nonetheless, multiple injuries were the story of Rodgers' season and not his performance on the field. In week one, Rodgers suffered a knee injury that lingered the entire season. Then, in Week 15 a groin injury hampered Rodgers. In the last regular season game, a concussion which kept Rodgers out the remainder of the game. Although, starting all 16 games, he was far from 100 percent the entire season.
Whether due to the injuries, or lack of protection up front, Rodgers didn't look like him normal self this year. Even though there were flashes of his usual greatness throughout this season.
Here is a ridiculous throw vs Seattle:
This throw by Aaron Rodgers is just unfair (via @thecheckdown) https://t.co/kIvp9wBbNC
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) November 16, 2018
For someone who is known for extending plays, Rodgers broke the NFL record for the amount of times he threw the ball away. Also, at least once or twice a game, Rodgers had uncharacteristic inaccurate throws, that were just unexplainable.
It's one of those things that's entirely hard to explain in great detail without getting hyperbolic. It's an internal question many Green Bay fans must have asked — why is the normally insanely accurate Aaron Rodgers tossing passes in the dirt and/or over his teammates' heads so regularly? To attempt to figure it out through a logical point of view might prove futile, unless simply suggesting his increased age and accumulated injuries have finally taken a toll.
Here is one example of the inexplicably inaccuracy:
How does a guy miss a throw this badly … pic.twitter.com/vmyJGCwAI3
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) December 17, 2018
Packers Offense and Rodgers was average
For about five years now the Packers defense has ranked at the bottom in all defensive rankings. During that span the offense has carried these Packers teams to deep playoffs runs. Yet, this season the explosiveness of the Packers offense dwindled and so did their playoff hopes.
A part of the reason for the Packers offense took a step back is the play-calling. Either Rodgers changing plays at the line of scrimmage or McCarthy calling plays, the Packers scheme did not get receivers open. Additionally, Green Bay seemed to abandon the run game at times, even if it was being effective.
One great example of that is the inability to get free agent signing Jimmy Graham involved in the offense. Graham is the first premier tight end Rodgers has had since Jermichael Finley. While starting all 16 games, Graham finished with only 55 receptions, two touchdowns and 636 yards.
Graham dropped a huge would've been touchdown versus the Bears:
TE with a broken thumb needs a better throw here. But if a TE can't make this catch, that TE shouldn't be in the game. pic.twitter.com/HCyQw7l24s
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) December 17, 2018
A major part of Rodgers greatness as a quarterback is his ability to ad-lib. But, this season the Packers no longer have veteran receivers like Jordy Nelson. Furthermore, Randall Cobb only played in nine games this season. Instead, the receiving core consisted of Davante Adams and three rookies. The off schedule plays makes it hard for young receivers to develop chemistry with Rodgers.
How to improve next season
Obviously with a season grade of C+ there is room for improvement next season. Nonetheless, how does someone the level of Rodgers improve. First, Rodgers must develop a good relationship with whoever the Packers bring in as the new head coach.
Also, with Rodgers taking up a lot of Green Bay's cap space, he will continue to play with younger receivers. Therefore, he must continue to develop a rapport with young receivers like Equanimeous St. Brown or Marquez Scantling-Valdes.
Finally, Rodgers needs to prove the doubters wrong. Show that he has not exited the prime of his career, and he has multiple great years left in his career. Most importantly make Green Bay serious contenders for the Super Bowl again.
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