NFC North Quarterback power rankings: Detroit Lions near the top
By Ash Thompson
Aaron Rogers
The King of the North at the quarterback position gets the benefit of the doubt that he will return to form in 2018. Aaron Rodgers was beginning another top-tier season before his injury. On 550 attempts, a reasonable number to expect for Rogers in a healthy season, he was on pace for 3800 yards, 37 touchdowns and only 13 interceptions.
The team’s performance without Rogers showed us all exactly how important he was to the team. The Packers were 4-1 going into the week six game in which Rodgers broke his collarbone early. They finished the year 7-9, going 3-7 without him. Rodgers returned far too soon from his injury. His season ended when playoffs were out of the picture.
Rodgers is one of those rare NFL quarterbacks that transforms his entire team. He is a first ballot Hall of Famer, and he is still performing at the top of his game. Rodgers extends plays with his legs and cuts defenses apart with his mind as much as his arm. He is the kind of player that fans of other teams hate but respect. Both feelings are born out of fear that Rodgers will do it to their team yet again. Lions fans, in particular, have felt hollow and empty: staring at a blank screen as we question the decisions that led us to this point, as a result of countless instances of Rodgers heroics.
Next: 5 bold predictions for the Lions 2018 season
There you have my power rankings of the NFC North quarterbacks. I think the only real debate that a sane person can have is between number two and three, but as I said, I consider the two players to be on a very similar level. I gave Stafford the edge over Cousins because of their relative seasons last year. Trubisky is clearly the number four, and Rodgers is clearly the best QB in the division. No matter how much it hurts me to write the words, it’s what I believe.