For just the second time in Aaron Rodgers’ career, the road to the Super Bowl goes through Lambeau Field.
The Green Bay Packers reached number one in the NFC playoffs after defeating the Chicago Bears on Sunday, bringing the team’s regular record to 13-3. This is the second consecutive year that the Packers have achieved 13 wins in the regular season.
But even after finishing with the same record as last year, Rodgers admits there is something different to this year’s team. And he holds nothing back.
“I’m very pleased with the way I played and the way the team played this year,” Rodgers said after Sunday’s victory. “It may not have been the best, because I miss the fans, but it was the most special season of my career.”
After a disappointing 2019 season by his standards, Rodgers has improved this season in every statistical category. In the second year of Matt LaFleur’s coach, Rodgers seems much more comfortable carrying out the offense.
The Packers’ signalman set the franchise records for most passes (48) and the highest percentage (70.7) in a single season. His 121.5 passer rating is the second highest in NFL history for a season.
“You do not expect to ever do that,” Rodgers said of his impressive state line. “There’s some efficiency I wanted to achieve this season, and I felt like I was playing at the level I was expecting this year.”
Rodgers is likely to win his third NFL MVP award after his record season. He joined Peyton Manning as the only full-back to hit 45 times in different seasons.
Yet Rodgers offered much praise to those around him.
‘I’ll tell you what I told Davante (Adams) in the dressing room. And I meant it. It touches me emotionally. I just have a lot of respect and appreciation for him (Adams) and what he has accomplished. It has been an incredible year. He’s just such a special, special player. ”
Adams set Packers franchise records for most catches (18) and receptions (115) in a single season, surpassing Sterling Sharpe in both categories. As Rodgers points out, Adams did so in 13.5 games after retiring in the second half against the Detroit Lions due to a thigh muscle injury. He missed the next two games of the team.
Together, Rodgers and Adams lead the most dangerous offense of the NFC, holding the only farewell conference in the playoffs due to the No. 1 series.
For the first time since 2011, the Packers have home field advantage during the national season. Green Bay had previously played in four NFC Championship games with Rodgers in the quarterfinals, but no one was at Lambeau Field.
Even in the midst of an insane season without fans being allowed in, Rodgers and the rest of Green Bay’s players know they have an incredible opportunity ahead of them. And Rodgers knows his time in the NFL is declining. At age 37, the clock is ticking for the future Hall of Famer.
So far, though, it’s been so good for the Packers ’franchise quarter. In a potential legacy season, Rodgers has already delivered an MVP-caliber campaign while leading the team to the NFC’s best record.
He is undoubtedly looking forward to next month and what Green Bay will do in the playoffs. But right now, Rodgers is completely satisfied and reflecting on what has already been done.
“It’s a special season. It will always be a special season for me. ”