The Aaron Rodgers Over Jalen Hurts Obsession; Why A-Rod is the Prom Queen Who Peaked in High School

The NFL is a league that demands results.  Not only that it’s a league that is defined by results.   Win or get out of the way. At the end of the day that’s all that really matters. 

So while I don’t get caught up in hype or circumstance or even romantic late game comebacks, I am fascinated by misplaced love for a guy like Aaron Rodgers, a 40-year-old quarterback with more injuries than playoff wins in the past decade, but somehow still is able to hold NFL fans hostage every offseason like he’s the second coming of Tom Brady, while the Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts, who’s already matched Rodgers’ Super Bowl total and surpassed his appearances, still fights for respect?  It’s just fascinating to me.  And truth be told I don’t even really care if onlookers don’t give Hurts the respect he deserves.  He wins and the scoreboard never lies.  The real critics can see what Hurts brings to the table, everybody else gets too caught up in gaudy statistics.  But it’s the kind of head-scratcher that reveals how deep the NFL’s addiction to nostalgia runs.

The Rodgers Illusion: A Legacy That Hasn’t Aged Well

Let’s be clear: Aaron Rodgers is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Four MVPs, one of the most effortless arms in football history, and a Super Bowl title to his name. But here’s the thing nobody wants to say verbalize: he hasn’t been elite when it matters for a long, long time.  He’s won nothing in 15 years and in those last 15 years he’s gotten a little bizarre.  Now I like different but not when it comes to my quarterback, it connotes unpredictability and who wants a lack of certainy in their leader?  That is why Aaron Rodgers doesn’t work any more.  He’s just too unpredictable with his dark retreats, shots of snake blood and of course his random ayahuasca trips and use of alternative medicine.  Oh yeah and there’s this:

• One Super Bowl ring. Zero appearances since 2010.
• Regular season genius, postseason vanishing act.
• A track record of playoff exits, locker room drama, and retirement soap operas.
• Did I mention he’s unpredictable?

And yet, every time his name hits the offseason rumor mill, teams salivate. They clear cap space, roll out the red carpet, and essentially ask, “What would you like us to give up for a quarterback who hasn’t delivered in a decade and a half – and is pretty much a wild card?

It’s actually sort of embarrassing watching some teams so desparate for a hit of decent quarterback play, quickly sell their soul and anyone else who is deemed expendible, in order to make that happen.  

The Jalen Hurts Grind – Without the Weird

Now enter Jalen Hurts.  I’m throwing him in the mix because while he checks all the boxes on how a quarterback should lead, in a backwards, abstract way, I sort of get why a lot of folks aren’t sold on the Birds’ QB as he doesn’t flash the blingy stats around despite winning the most recent Super Bowl and taking home the MVP of the title game award.  He is also quite the enigma if you choose to turn a blind eye to the reults and his consistency – wink, wink.

Unlike Mr. Rodgers, Hurts has been doubted at every turn, and has answered every single challenge with leadership, production, and poise under pressure.

• Yanked at halftime of a national title game? Came back stronger and supported Tua like a pro.
• Lost his job at Alabama? Transferred to Oklahoma, became a Heisman finalist.
• Drafted to be a backup? Took Carson Wentz’s job, took Philly to a two Super Bowls.

Since becoming QB1 for the Eagles, Hurts has gone 25-9 as a starter over the past two seasons, made two Super Bowl appearances, and delivered Super Bowl 59 to the city February 9.

Oh and just for good measure, he has the same number of Super Bowl wins as Rodgers in one-fourth of the time.

So Why the Rodgers Obsession?

Simple.  He’s got a once-in-a-generational-arm.  It’s truly amazing to watch when he’s slingin’ it.  Do you really think he’d be an obsession if the ball came out of his hand like it does when it comes out of Bubby Brister’s hand?  It’s arm talent beyond arm talent.  Of course arm talent alone doesn’t get you a place in Canton.  That you have to earn and Rodgers has earned that.  The problem is he earned it a long time ago and has spent the decades since bouncing around to various organizations who have opened their arms for the California kid to come jump their shark for a season or two and hopefully stick the landing in a playoff run or two.  But that hasn’t hapened despite a few attempts and that brings us to Rodgers becoming the next franchise quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers this past week, much to the mixed reviews of NFL fans, players, media members and onlookers alike.  

Heavy.com colleague Matt Lombardo had this to say about Rodgers’ signing with the Steelers in early June in his substack mail bag recently:

It Doesn’t Make Sense

“This union doesn’t make sense for either side, in my opinion.  Sure, in a blind taste-test, the Steelers would happily trip over themselves for a quarterback with 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. 

But, this isn’t Dr. Pepper unveiling its latest flavor trying to take down Coca Cola, Rodgers’ Jets production felt empty. More mirage than MVP.

After all, the Jets didn’t just fail to average 20 points per game, but only seven teams averaged fewer than New York’s 19.9 per game last season. 

One league source is even more skeptical this winds up working out. 

‘Aaron signing there is a desperate attempt by a pathetic man to hang onto something he lost years ago,’ the league source said. 

Pittsburgh is hoping that Rodgers can have a longer-lasting renaissance than Russell Wilson’s October through the second week of December last season. 

But, for Rodgers, is this really anything more than trying to get the Jets’ stink off his legacy? A chance to make history by beating the Green Bay Packers in Week 8 to officially record a win against all 32 teams across the NFL? Because the shine from Rodgers’ 2021 MVP is turning to rust, and Pittsburgh’s offensive line might actually be worse than the Jets’ line that allowed 40 sacks last fall.” – Matt Lobardo, Senior NFL Writer and Havy.com Contributor

The Truth

 According to the NFL’s Adam Schefter, Rodgers was only the Steelers’ third choice behind the Rams’ Matt Stafford and their own Justin Fields.  Rodgers reportedly offered himself to the Rams but they weren’t interested so at least as late as this last go-round, it looks like the Rodgers-love is starting to fad a bit, as far as some of the league’s foundational teams go at least.

It appears to be a combination of quarterback mythology and selective memory.

• Rodgers looks the part. He’s cerebral, he’s quotable, and when he’s on, he’s beautiful to watch.
• But “on” isn’t consistent anymore.
• He’s missed games, alienated teammates, and hasn’t led a team past the NFC Championship in over a decade.

Yet franchises keep lining up like it’s 2011 just hoping for one more romantic run.

Hurts, meanwhile, gets labeled as a “system guy” or “not elite” despite doing everything Rodgers hasn’t in years: winning big games, being accountable, showing up when it matters, flashing the clutch gene when it counts – oh and not being weird.

The Bottom Line: Uncertainty vs Consistency

Rodgers gets praised for potential and bizarre capabilities. Hurts gets doubted despite delivering consistent results.

Rodgers gives you drama and the fear of the unknown. Hurts gives you discipline and desire.

Rodgers gives you maybe. Hurts gives you now.

Rodgers’ legacy is secure but his future is up in the air.  Meanwhile, Hurts’ story is just getting started  – and he’s already caught up.

The league at some point will stop chasing ghosts and start recognizing greatness in real time when it sees it.  Or not.  Because while some are still waiting for Rodgers to reign it in, Hurts is out there reigning on top.