In a career that has spanned some 18 seasons, Aaron Rodgers has only previously suffered two previous losing record campaigns, but 2022 is destined to be number three, and things at the Green Bay Packers organization show no sign of improvement any time soon.
In their latest loss, which sees them sit at 4-8, Rodgers had to leave the field of play with a rib injury and was already having to play through the pain barrier due to a right thumb issue, and somewhat inevitably, the Packers ran out 33-40 losers to a Philadelphia Eagles team that can’t stop winning.
When the latest NFL roadshow kicked off, the Green Bay Packers were among the favorites in terms of the Super Bowl winner odds for 2022, but now, unsurprisingly, they are very much out of the picture. The disastrous season has left many wondering what comes next for Rodgers, who may well be considering his future at Lambeau Field.
No one should forget that Rodgers has come off back-to-back NFL MVP seasons and is still one of the best quarterbacks in the game, and therefore it would be unfair to place all the burden of the Packers’ dismal performances on his shoulders.
When asked about his ongoing recovery, Rodgers made it clear he wants to get back out there, responding to queries about when he wants to take to the field again;
“As long as I check out OK tomorrow, I expect to play next weekend,” but added that currently he ‘”Had a hard time breathing, rotating my body,”
“As long as we’re mathematically alive, I’d like to be out there,” Rodgers added.
Right now, they are three games off the last wild card slot in the NFC, held by the Washington Commanders, and the season only has five games left to play, and as such, the chances of Rodgers and the Packers making it to the post-season are pretty much slim to none.
On the positive side, replacement Jordan Love secured a touchdown soon after he entered the field with just over 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter and completed six of nine passes for 113 yards.
Next up for the Packers is a trip to Soldier Field to play a similarly off-form Chicago Bears, a game that is without a doubt a must-win clash.
As for the game itself, Jalen Hurts was front and center, with the Eagles quarterback setting a franchise record for most rushing yards in a game.
Michael Vick previously held that record with 130 yards.
Hurts amassed 102 rushing yards in the first quarter alone, 126 by half-time, and 157 by the end of the game. He also completed 16 of 28 passes for another 156 yards, completing two touchdown passes as the Eagles begin to look very promising indeed.
Philadelphia last won the Super Bowl in 2017, under Doug Pederson’s stewardship, and that success was the Eagles’ first in the modern era, and Nick Sirianni will hope to replicate that success this time around.
