Packers: Aaron Rodgers is playing the best football of his career

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is on pace to have one of the best seasons of his career in 2020.

It’s been an exciting start to the 2020 NFL season for the Green Bay Packers. An offensive explosion through three weeks has given the Packers a promising 3-0 record, thanks in large part to Aaron Rodgers‘ MVP-caliber performances.

Entering the season, many believed Green Bay lacked the necessary pieces to be an elite offense. The Packers had elite parts (i.e. Aaron Jones and Davante Adams), but that didn’t add up to an elite whole. Through three games, it’s fair to say the team has outperformed expectations so far, with Rodgers being one of the biggest reasons why.

Now in Year 2 of head coach Matt LaFleur’s offensive system, Rodgers is reminding everyone why he’s considered one of the greatest to ever step on the field. Through three weeks, Rodgers has arguably played the best football of his career.

Consider the following numbers, where Rodgers’ first three games during his two MVP campaigns are juxtaposed with his current season:

• 2011: 71.8% completion rate, 917 yards, eight touchdowns, one interception, 8.9 yards per attempt, 120.9 passer rating
• 2014: 62.8% completion rate, 697 yards, five touchdowns, one interception, 6.83 yards per attempt, 95.1 passer rating
• 2020: 67% completion rate, 887 yards, nine touchdowns, zero interceptions, 8.4 yards per attempt, 121.1 passer rating

The Packers signal-caller has certainly had a great start to his 2020 campaign, as shown by his stats above. Rodgers is on pace for 4,731 yards, 48 touchdowns and zero interceptions. But it’s not just the numbers that back up this argument. Rodgers passes the eye test, too.

Aaron Rodgers is in the MVP conversation thanks to a few changes in his game.

The past few seasons haven’t shown the Rodgers we became used to seeing earlier in his career. His turnover efficiency remained the same, but everything else declined. He became too cautious in turning the ball over and wasn’t trusting his receivers.

At the end of training camp in early September, Rodgers said he did some self-scouting by going back to when he was playing at a much higher level and watching what he did differently. Whatever he saw on tape and implemented back into his game, it seems to be working. Rodgers is back in MVP form.

Watching Rodgers’ footwork this season shows that he’s tweaked with his mechanics. He’s stepping into throws more often and more often throwing from a platform with two feet on the ground, rather than in awkward positions.

Additionally, Rodgers is much more comfortable in LaFleur’s offense. Rarely this season have we seen Rodgers roll out of the pocket just for the sake of it. He’s staying in the pocket and delivering on time and in rhythm, trusting that his receivers will be in the right place at the right time.

Rodgers is playing the best football of his career thanks to a newfound trust in LaFleur’s scheme and a re-tooling of his mechanics. When Rodgers is playing at this level, the Packers are automatic Super Bowl contenders. If he continues the pace he’s currently on, Rodgers may see a third MVP added to his résumé.