As quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers is one of the biggest names in the league right now alongside Brady and Mahomes. To celebrate one of the league’s best quarterbacks, we have gathered five highlights from his football career in the 2021 season. This is a sponsored article contributed by a paid averstiser.
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1. Kicking The 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are up for the NFC championship this off-season but, during the season itself, they clashed on the 27th of September. As the game neared its end, the 49ers led the Packers with a 28-27 lead. 49ers fans were already celebrating and it seemed like the Packers were about to record a loss.
There were 37 seconds left, which was enough for Rodgers and his offense to charge 42 yards up-field. With just 3 of those precious seconds left, Rodgers spiked the ball and brought in kicker Mason Crosby, who nailed the field goal kick from 51 yards away. Rodgers enabled Crosby to get closer to the goal for the 30-28 win, celebrating on the sidelines as the shot was made.
2. Owning The Bears
One of the more dramatic moments of Rodger’s on-field performance in 2021 was where he beat the Chicago Bears, again. As one of the main rivals of the Green Bay Packers, the Bears fans drew Rodger’s ire during an October 17th matchup. Rodgers made a rushing touchdown, landing at the Bears’ corner in front of many cameras.
As the cameras zoomed in to get their shot of Rodgers doing his signature championship belt touchdown celebration, the Bears crowd jeered their rival quarterback while the Packers’ offense rallied around him. According to Rodgers himself, he saw a Bears fan making a rude hand gesture at him, and so he beat his chest and shouted “I have owned you all my f**king life. I have owned you. I still own you. I still own you!”
3. Returning (And Crushing) The Seahawks
A more sentimental moment in Rodger’s 2021 season came in the following November. After being benched due to COVID-19 and vaccination concerns, Rodgers missed a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Backup QB Jordan Love was called to the fore but, unfortunately, the Packers lost and their seven-game winning streak was broken.
About a week later, on the 14th, Rodgers returned to the team. Up against the Seattle Seahawks, Rodgers proved that he was the best asset that the Packers have by crushing the Seahawks 17-0. Rodgers didn’t even play that well, compared to his usual standard, but his presence gave the team confidence that they had been stripped of a week ago.
It also provided a moment for fans to welcome him back into the game. The circumstances of his benching were controversial and now, with him back on the team, fans and commentators could put the divisive topic behind them and focus on the team’s future.
4. Beating Favre’s Record
The future seemed to look bright for Rodgers and the Packers. After the Seahawks win, they clinched another 31-30 win over the Baltimore Ravens for the NFC North title. Rodgers earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his effort.
Then, on Christmas Day, the team went up against the Cleveland Browns. They won the game at 24-22, a predictable outcome, but what made this game stand out was Rodgers officially becoming one of the Packers’ most prolific quarterbacks. Throwing his 443rd touchdown during the game, Rodgers won NFC Offensive Player of the Month and passed Brett Favre’s all-time touchdown record in the Packers.
5. Falling To The 49ers
As we said at the start – the Packers aren’t making it to the Super Bowl this year. So, what happened? The regular season ended and the playoffs began, which saw the San Francisco 49ers beat the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card playoffs and get another shot at the Packers.
So, on the Packers’ own turf at Lambeau Field, the teams went at each other again. Having just clinched the victory in their last meeting, the Packers needed to put in their A-game if they wanted to make it past the Divisional playoffs.
Rodgers threw for 225 yards in the game, an average performance, but the Packers’ special teams unit didn’t pull their weight. They lost to the 49ers at 13-10, close enough to be agonizing. While we don’t know if they would have won with everybody at their best, at least fans can say it wasn’t Rodgers that buckled.
Conclusion
With these five moments, you pretty much have the story of Rodgers and the Packers’ 2021 season. While fraught with controversy and critical losses, there was always something else that got in Rodgers’ way, not a problem with Rodgers himself (on the field, anyway!) Hopefully, the Packers will learn from the 2021 season and return to form in 2022
