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NFL Notebook, Week 7: Patrick Mahomes’ injury, trades, awards and more

By Zach Cohen

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs walks off the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on October 17, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs walks off the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on October 17, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 20: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after throwing a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Lambeau Field on October 20, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 20: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after throwing a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Lambeau Field on October 20, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

Aaron Rodgers and the Great QB Debate

One of my biggest pet peeves when discussing the greatest quarterbacks of all time is valuing Super Bowl rings so highly. Yes, they’re huge career accomplishments but they’re also overrated and often more a product of a great team than a great quarterback (Exhibit A: Joe Flacco).

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Dan Marino was a fantastic quarterback who held multiple records for long after he retired, yet he has no ring. In the future, I fear people will talk less and less about Marino as they focus on whatever young gunslingers start putting up numbers.

The point I’m trying to make: Numbers don’t mean everything. That includes championships and statistics. This applies to Aaron Rodgers, who is arguably the best quarterback in the NFL now, maybe aside from Patrick Mahomes.

I consider there to be a difference between being the best and being the greatest. Greatness encompasses career accolades and statistics. The best players are the most talented and crush the eye test. I feel like Rodgers has been overlooked in recent years because of how poorly the Packers have played, though it obviously hasn’t been his fault.

A Super Bowl ring and two MVPs help his case for greatness, but I worry he’ll never be considered among the likes of John Elway, Steve Young or even Tom Brady. This could all be an irrelevant point later on, as long as people stop disrespecting Rodgers.

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