Green Bay Packers: Spiteful Aaron Rodgers could be an MVP candidate

Aaron Rodgers was phenomenal leading the Green Bay Packers to a Week 1 win.

It was obvious to everyone except, apparently, the Green Bay Packers front office that quarterback Aaron Rodgers needed help in the passing offense. Davante Adams has been a top-tier wide receiver but, outside of that, the weapons of late have been unproven players failing to prove themselves. Yet, the Packers didn’t get those weapons.

Many said that Green Bay’s offseason indicated a shift in offensive philosophy. However, there was a small voice that was inescapable wondering if Rodgers, a famously fierce competitor, would take this as a slight and be motivated by it. As the Vikings, the Packers’ opponent in Week 1, can attest to, the quarterback appears quite motivated and, dare I say, spiteful.

En route to a 43-34 victory in Minnesota, the future Hall-of-Fame signal-caller was phenomenal. He finished the day going 32-of-44 for 364 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions, completely torching the Vikings. And it wasn’t just designed easy throws — Rodgers looked like the best version of himself with his ability to create time and make pinpoint decisions and throws for big plays:

Though it’s only one game in the 2020 season, the 36-year-old Rodgers already looks better than he did a year ago. And perhaps an offseason where his supposed replacement was drafted and no weapons were brought in was enough to motivate Rodgers to take his game back to another level.

Motivated Aaron Rodgers could be an MVP-caliber leader for the Green Bay Packers.

When you look at many of the all-time great athletes, there are two things that stand out. The first is the ability of those players to light a fire under themselves using perceived slights. The second is the innate capability to make all of the players around them better. Rodgers had that on display against Minnesota.

The spite part has already been discussed by, while Davante Adams heavily led the way with 14 receptions for 156 yards and two scores, others helped out. Marquez Valdes-Scantling had four grabs for 96 yards and a score and Allen Lazard came up with four catches for 63 yards and a touchdown.

Valdes-Scantling and Lazard are both fine players but, as mentioned, neither have been consistent in their young careers due to a combination of Rodgers’ “declining” performance and their own inability to seize the moment. But on Sunday, the veteran quarterback wouldn’t let that be the case as he drug them to big games in the opener.

To be sure, this is only one game. And the Green Bay Packers defense will have to be better if this team wants to compete for a Super Bowl. But if Aaron Rodgers continues to play like he’s angry and out to prove something, he just showed the Vikings and everyone else he can be an MVP-caliber player still.