Aaron Rodgers: Why the Film Shows He's the NFL's Best Quarterback

For years, fans and analysts alike have debated over who is the NFL's best quarterback. The most common names mentioned have always been Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

Sure, there was the occasional Drew Brees argument, but for years, Brady and Manning have dominated the conversation regarding the NFL's best quarterback.

Well, move over Brady; there's a new sheriff in town.

And his name is Aaron Rodgers.

Obviously Rodgers is having a fantastic season. His 2,869 passing yards, 72.9 completion percentage, 28 touchdown to three interception ratio and 130.7 passer rating tell that much.

What the stats don't tell, however, is that Rodgers isn't just having a great year. He's having the best year of all time.

The film, on the other hand, accurately portrays just how dominant Rodgers has been. Rodgers's elite combination of arm strength, intelligence, accuracy and athleticism give him the potential to go down as the best quarterback to ever play the game.

Even ignoring the phenomenal stats, one can easily see that Rodgers is the best quarterback playing the game today. In just one game, when the Packers traveled to Minnesota in Week 7, Rodgers made multiple plays that only he could.

On this play, Rodgers rolls out to the right, and even though Brian Robison is bearing down on him, Rodgers keeps his eyes down field and doesn't look to check down. Even moving on the run, Rodgers has enough confidence in his accuracy to throw the ball in the midst of not one or two, but three defensive backs.

For most quarterbacks, this would be an incredibly stupid throw. But Rodgers has enough arm strength, accuracy and confidence to complete the pass. Most of the few quarterbacks with the ability to make this throw would have already taken off running by the time Rodgers heaves the ball to Greg Jennings.

Here, Rodgers first looks right to Jennings, but quickly realizes that Jennings is covered. The Green Bay quarterback then turns to James Starks out of the backfield, but again, Starks isn't really open.

Even after finding his first two targets covered, Rodgers continues with his progressions, looking deep on the left side of the field. As time continues to click, Rodgers realizes that he needs to throw the ball soon. Though he is acutely aware of the rush, Rogers does not panic and continues to look for an open receiver.

Only when the pass rush is providing serious pressure does Rodgers take off and run to his right. With his rare athleticism, Rodgers is able to avoid the rush, but again, he isn't looking to take off and run or dump the ball off. Rodgers is still trying to make a play.

Finally, Andrew Quarless breaks free across the middle of the field, and Rodgers shows his exceptional arm strength, gunning the ball 25 yards on a rope. The ball is not only thrown with velocity, but precision accuracy as well. Quarless doesn't have to break stride, as the throw is perfectly placed.

Only a player with great athleticism, arm strength, accuracy, intelligence and patience is able to make this exceptional play.

On the surface, this play may look the least impressive, but it really puts Rodgers's intelligence into perspective. Before the play even starts, Rodgers knows exactly what the defense is doing.

Immediately after faking the hand off to Starks, Rodgers sets his feet and fires the ball to Jordy Nelson. Even as he his executing the play action, Rodgers is already looking right for Nelson.

In his analysis of the defense before the snap, Rodgers recognized that Asher Allen was in man coverage on Nelson. Once Nelson establishes the inside, Rodgers fires the ball to him. No time was wasted, and the pass rush never came close to touching Rodgers.

Then there's the throw itself. Rodgers took just enough time to set his feet so he could deliver a strike. Because he took this morsel of time, Rodgers is able to throw a laser that hits Nelson right in stride. Few quarterbacks could have thrown the ball any harder, and none could have thrown it more accurately.

As has been shown, Aaron Rodgers is great in every aspect of the game. In just one game, Rodgers displays well above-average athleticism, elite arm strength and accuracy and excellent intellect.

Because Rodgers is aware of his exceptional skill, he has the confidence to complete passes that anyone else would be stupid to even attempt. Every pass Rodgers attempts is thrown with velocity and incredible accuracy.

Though he is talented to get by on physical ability alone, Rodgers is brilliant at reading defenses. He can decipher blitzes and coverages with ease, allowing him to get rid of the ball more quickly and with greater success.

Most quarterbacks can only dream of making the plays displayed in this article. Yet Rodgers made all three of these plays in just one game.

And it may not even have been his best game this year.