So how are Packers fans enjoying their glimpse into the future? I’m not saying the Brett Hundley is the future of Green Bay football. In fact his play while Aaron Rodgers recovers from a broken collarbone is proving that his days in TitleTown are likely numbered after Number 12 returns. But Aaron Rodgers is 33-years old, and only Tom Brady has shown the ability to actually get better as he gets older.
So Packers fans had better get used to not having a premier quarterback to make up for the shortcomings of the team’s defense, receiving corps, running backs and play calling. This is what Chicago has been dealing with for 30-years. Cleveland, Jacksonville, New York Jets, and Buffalo fans have been wondering for decades which quarterback is going to show up this week–the one that throws five interceptions in the first half–or the one that completes 60% of his passes and they still lose?
It is pretty clear that when Mike McCarthy said in his press conference after Rodgers first got hurt “I’m a highly successful NFL Head Coach” that what he really meant was “Numbers 4 and 12 have really carried my butt for the past eleven years”. In fact, I see McCarthy deciding to hang up the play calling sheet the minute that Aaron Rodgers decides he is going to retire–or demands a trade to a different team like his predecessor. It’s hard to look like an offensive genius when you don’t have someone chucking the ball around every play with pinpoint accuracy and world-class decision-making skills.
It’s also possible that the next generation Green Bay Packers won’t need to be a one-man team. Maybe, they will have a future General Manager that sees actual value in early round picks. That can scout linebacking talent that can actually apply pressure to quarterbacks and cover receivers in space. Maybe that GM will allocate resources to field playmakers at several different positions instead of just at quarterback–so that QB doesn’t have to do it all by himself.
Or should Packers fans hope their future is drastically changed by finding another NFL team to fleece in a trade for its third-string quarterback that turns out to be a hall of famer? Maybe another 23-teams will pass on another hall of fame QB because of his “attitude issues” so he can fall into Green Bay’s lap. Aaron Rodgers will return to the field late this year–or at the start of next year and push these concerns out of fans’ minds. But remember, this is where your future lies, Packer Backers.
