A Wonderful Day In Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood: Packers QB Joins Elite Class

Remember when Alex Smith got selected over Aaron Rodgers in the 2005 draft? 

That decision just seems to get worse and worse as the days go by. 

While he played second fiddle to Brett Favre for three seasons, Rodgers was determined to show that he was not a waste of a draft pick. 

In three starting seasons, Rodgers has the best career QB rating in regular season history of the NFL (98.4).  He also has the lowest percentage of his passes intercepted in that time (1.99 percent). 

His regular season record during this time is nothing unbelievable at 27-21, but he has won at least 10 games in the past two seasons and has a very commendable 4-1 playoff record.

He is also the only NFL quarterback to have consecutive 4,000-yard seasons in his first two years as a starter.

The point is, everyone knew Aaron Rodgers was perfectly capable heading into the post season.  The question was whether or not he was ready to take his career to the next level.

Obviously, Rodgers answered the question with an emphatic yes by not only crowning the Packers the Super Bowl XLV champions, but also winning the accolade of Super Bowl MVP. 

As has been well documented, Rodgers is now tied with Brett Favre for Super Bowl wins and has one upped him by earning an honor the future Hall of Famer has never had: the Super Bowl MVP award. 

When the Favre-led Packers won Super Bowl XXXI, Desmond Howard was named the Super Bowl MVP for an electric performance as a kick and punt returner. 

Rodgers' triumphs this year also draws an eerie parallel to what Drew Brees accomplished last year. 

Everyone knew Brees was a talented franchise QB heading into 2010, but few expected him to be ready to lead his team to a Super Bowl title.

Rodgers now joins the elite class of NFL signal callers alongside the likes of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, the aforementioned Brees and Ben Roethlisberger. 

The best part for the former California Golden Bears standout is that he is the youngest addition of the bunch, having just turned 27 on December 2^nd. 

Who will be the first quarterback to win their second Super Bowl ring between Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers? 

Only time will tell, but it is clear now that Rodgers is indisputably one of the best the game has to offer.