The Green Bay Packers are atop the NFC North and have a chance to make another deep playoff run, which is something that Aaron Rodgers isn't taking for granted. Ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Washington Redskins, Rodgers spoke about the “opportunity” of this season.
“[I'm] seeing the 18th hole coming up. Realizing I can't play forever. The opportunities don't come along all the time,” Rodgers said. “I could feel the energy of this team early in April and May. It was different feel and that's what spurned me in the summer to kind of forego some of the traveling I would maybe usually do and make sure I was dialed in once training camp came around because I felt like we could do something special this year.”
This statement sounds like someone who is realizing that his career is nearing the end. It also appears to be someone who hasn't been to the playoffs since 2016 and understands how tough it is to put together a team talented enough to do so.
Upon hiring Matt LaFleur to replace Mike McCarthy in the offseason, there was some optimism surrounding the Packers. Even Rodgers knew that the roster under its current construction could have a special year.
As a result, Green Bay could very well be hosting a playoff game in the NFC Wild Card Round. But for the first time in plenty of years, the Packers' offense isn't as reliant on the veteran quarterback to work his magic to win games.
Instead, LaFleur has helped instill a formidable rushing attack along with a much-improved defense. Both of those things are very much appreciated by Rodgers, who is grasping the fact in his 15th season, that playoff-built teams aren't something to presuppose.
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