Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers. (Photo by Kiyoshi Mio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Za’Darius Smith thinks his Green Bay Packers teammate Aaron Rodgers can play 10 more years in the NFL. Does anyone think Rodgers can play until he’s 46?
We are now in the heart of the offseason in the NFL and that means we’re all here for wacky offseason content.
Green Bay Packers linebacker Za’Darius Smith told TMZ that he believes his quarterback Aaron Rodgers can play in the NFL for 10 more seasons. Rodgers will be 36 years old in the 2020 season. Though an immensely talented signal-caller and one who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame six years after he retires, there is no way in hell Rodgers plays until he’s 46.
Smith might think Rodgers can play at a high level into his 40s. Rodgers is arguably the most accurate passer ever. He has tremendous arm strength, takes care of himself physically and can still move around a good bit in and around the pocket. The problem is Rodgers is no longer a tractor of a quarterback. He needs the team to be great around him to thrive.
Frankly, the last time Rodgers led his team was in 2016 when he willed the Packers to the NFC Championship Game, only to get boat raced by the Atlanta Falcons. The next two seasons saw Rodgers break his collarbone and long-time Packers head coach Mike McCarthy get fired. Smith was still with the Baltimore Ravens and didn’t endure those two bad seasons.
But let’s not beat up Rodgers too much here. He’s more than capable of helping the Packers win their fifth Super Bowl (and his second) before he hangs up the spikes. We can reasonably expect Rodgers to play at a high level until he’s 41 or so. So if we get four or five great years out of him, that’ll be outstanding. Anything past that would be pure gravy.
Plus, how sure are we Rodgers will want to play at 46?
Rodgers has other interests outside of football. He may want to get married and start a family. Rodgers may still be a damn good quarterback and one Green Bay can absolutely win a ton of games with, but to think he’ll be playing for the Packers heading into the 2030 NFL season at age 46 is completely asinine. R-E-L-A-X. Relax.