The Green Bay Packers and their fans got an early Christmas present when the franchise announced that quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been cleared to play again after missing the team’s last seven games due to a broken collarbone.
However, Rodgers advised the Packers faithful that he’s not a miracle worker or a messiah who would single-handedly turn things around for the team. Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Rodgers reminded everyone that it takes a total team effort to succeed on the field, per Edward Lewis of NFL.com.
“I'm not coming back to save this team,” Aaron Rodgers said to reporters Wednesday. “I'm coming back to play quarterback the way I know how to play it and hopefully we all raise the level of our play collectively and find a way to win these three games.”
The Packers went 3-4 during Rodgers’ absence, though they have won the last two with Brett Hundley looking more comfortable under center while acting as a placeholder for Rodgers.
Before going down with the said injury, Rodgers had gathered 1,385 passing yards and 13 touchdowns against just three interceptions.
Currently with a 7-6 record, the Packers hope that Rodgers' return would lit a fire underneath the team and sustain the momentum of a two-game win streak going into a critical showdown with the Carolina Panthers.
Rodgers will have his work cut right out of him upon his return against the Panthers’ stop unit that ranks 10th in the NFL in scoring defense and seventh against the pass, though Green Bay has won two of its last three matchups with Carolina dating back to 2011.