Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers will roar back in 2016

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers provided plenty of highlights in 2015, but it was a down year statistically. Expect him to roar back in 2016.

3821 yards, 31 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.

Those were Aaron Rodgers’ numbers from the 2015 season. And it’s considered a down year for the superstar quarterback.

It’s tough to think back to all of the Brett Favre drama and questioning whether Rodgers could actually fill the legend’s shoes with the Green Bay Packers. He’s done more than that since taking over the starting job in 2008, becoming one of the best passers in the modern NFL and quickly ascending the list of All-Time greats.

We, as fans, have come to expect greatness from Rodgers on every play, every game, and in every season. While a 3800-yard season with over 30 touchdowns and less than 10 interceptions may be a highlight for most quarterbacks, for Rodgers it’s just average.

Actually, it’s worse than average. It was the worst performance he’s had in his entire starting career, discounting 2013 in which he only played nine games. Lowest completion percentage in his career (60.7 percent), lowest yardage, lowest touchdowns since 2008, most interceptions since 2012.

But these are quibbles over greatness.

Nobody questions that Rodgers is a superb quarterback. Nobody argues that he’s one of the greatest to suit up right now. On any given Sunday, Rodgers can completely tear through defenses en route to victory after victory (he’s won 10 or more every season except 2013). So it’s easy to just say he’ll bounce back in 2016 and return to form.

It could be so much more than that, though.

Dec 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts after the Packers were called for a penalty that nullified a touchdown pass against the Oakland Raiders in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Packers defeated the Raiders 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

The early odds for Rodgers becoming the league MVP have him at 4-1 (via Sporting News), only behind Cam Newton (7-2). Rodgers is respected enough, despite a down year, that he could take on the reigning MVP who edged him out as a passer in 2015 and is so much more than Rodgers in terms of overall athleticism.

It isn’t just Vegas that may have the right line, though. Pundits across the NFL media have their eyes on Aaron Rodgers for MVP, or even for a massive comeback. Adam Schein, writing for NFL.com, may have gotten it most right in his analysis as to why Rodgers should roar back to life:

"The Packers also improved their offensive line this offseason, adding Indiana OT Jason Spriggs in the second round of the draft. And that’s a big deal, as Rodgers was sacked an unacceptable 46 times last season. The return of Jordy Nelson — one of the five best receivers in the league — is even bigger. The passing attack lacked sizzle, explosiveness and consistent execution without Rodgers’ favorite target."

2015 wasn’t just a bad year for Rodgers. It was a bad year for the Green Packers on the whole. Even as a playoff team, it feels like the only way this team can go is up.

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Additions like Spriggs and returners like Nelson help turn Rodgers into an absolute juggernaut at quarterback. In 2015 he was almost a tame kitten in comparison to what he can be with a stronger offensive line and his best receiving weapons back on board.

Schein goes on to say the Packers are in store for a “vintage Rodgers” season in 2016. What exactly does that mean? It means 4000+ yards, 35+ touchdowns, and less than 10 interceptions.

To think that Rodgers will be satisfied with his standard, however, would be a mistake. Rodgers is a competitor through and through. He just lost the NFC North, had a down year, and his team fizzled out in the playoffs. He’s hungry. He wants to win. He’s going to come back ready to humiliate the opposition.

As said before, these are quibbles about greatness. There’s no question Rodgers will be good. There’s no question he can be great. What this is about is Rodgers taking the 2016 season by the horns and completely ripping it up. He can go beyond 4000 (he has before), he can go beyond 35 TDs (he has before, and he can play near-mistake free football all season long.

A hungry Aaron Rodgers with a bit of a chip on his shoulder could be the most exciting thing coming in the 2016 season. He’ll have plenty of balance via stud running back Eddie Lacy, but that shouldn’t stop Rodgers from turning in a season that could make us all watch slack-jawed each time he drops back.

It’ll be something special.

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