Aaron Rodgers appeared on the Pat McAfee Show and the New York Jets quarterback agreed with the views of seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady on how the league has changed.
Aaron Rodgers shares the same view as Tom Brady regarding NFL rule changes, backing up his old rival’s belief that there is too much mediocrity in the league.
The seven-time Super Bowl winner appeared on the Stephen A. Smith Show and claimed that the standard of play across the league has declined. One of his reasons for this point of view is the rules changing over the years in which the penalties are given out for less than in previous years.
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers, Brady’s fellow quarterback, echoed the seven-time Super Bowl champion’s thoughts. “Even when I was a young player, my biggest fear as a quarterback was one of his guys getting hurt,” he said. “To throw the ball higher up the middle, you have to expose your opponent, shake him up, take him out of the game. That was your biggest fear, that’s why you were smart about certain plays and throws. The world community is back.
Rodgers, who has never been afraid to share his opinions, attributed the NFL’s rules changes to a shift in culture in today’s society. “If you really look at the big picture, the softening of society has definitely led to this,” he added. “There’s no executive function in hockey anymore. Why? Because we need fights outside of hockey. It’s too violent.
“I think people want soccer to be a conflict sport.” It’s not a place on the field where players are getting hit, but they enjoy big hits. Brady won six Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots and Vince won his last Lombardi Trophy with Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Brady said he was drafted by the Patriots in 2000, and more than 20 years later, the former quarterback explained why he thinks standards across the league have dropped. “I think there’s a lot of mediocrity in the NFL today. “We don’t see the excellence that we’ve seen in the past,” Brady said.
“I don’t think the coaching is as good as it used to be, I don’t think the development of young players is as good as it used to be, I don’t think the planning is as good as it used to be. In my opinion, I think the product is worse than what it was before.
Rodgers is currently out of action after suffering an Achilles tear during the opening week of the season while on debut for the New York Jets. Like Brady, Rodgers sympathizes with defensive players who have to try to do their jobs while also avoiding doing something that could lead to a flag, fine or even a suspension.
“It’s hard to play defense in the league,” Rodgers said. “It’s really tough. I saw some calls on Monday night and thought it’s not going to be that way anymore. I used to play against the Lions and every picture I take is upsetting. You know what I mean.” I was hit and pushed.
“I think we’ve created bad habits with some of the reads and zero fear of throwing over the middle. I think some of the quarterbacks are getting rewarded for sliding late at times and taking very light shots that become 15-yard penalties.”