The NFL’s balance of power continues to swing even with only a few days remaining until the 2023 NFL Draft. There is no denying the strength of the AFC outshines the NFC. Arguably, no division personifies the pendulum swings more than the AFC East, where the QB arms race has reached a crescendo following the New York Jets’ acquisition of Aaron Rodgers.
Aaron Rodgers Further Moves the NFL’s Balance of Power to the AFC
After months of speculation, the news we have all been waiting for — some out of curiosity, some for their sanity — finally broke.
The Jets have agreed to a mega-trade with the Packers, landing future Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers. The veteran QB joins a franchise that has struggled to find even a competent QB for the last seemingly two decades.
The addition of Rodgers to the Jets cannot be understated. Is there a division that can stand toe to toe with a lineup consisting of Rodgers, Josh Allen, and Tua Tagovailoa? Perhaps the AFC North with Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson, and Lamar Jackson, but that is by no means a guarantee.
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I think this is a better example. Rank the top five quarterbacks in the NFC. Have a list in mind? If you could combine the trio of Rodgers, Tua, and Allen, they would make up three of the top four spots, with Jalen Hurts the only quarterback I would put into the conversation.
You don’t need to turn the pages on the calendar too many times to remember an era where these franchises were led by the likes of Mark Sanchez, Ryan Fitzpatrick (for 75% of the division), EJ Manuel, Ryan Tannehill, and Sam Darnold.
The only team that had a franchise quarterback was the New England Patriots with Tom Brady. Now, they are on the outside looking in. Sure, we have not seen all that Mac Jones can bring, and he did show some success as a rookie, but there are levels to this.
No one is putting Jones into the same category as Rodgers, Tua, or Allen, especially not when fans were asking for a fourth-rounder out of Western Kentucky to replace him last year. New England brought a squirt gun to a modern battle in this arms race.
Who Has the Upper Hand at QB in the AFC East?
If not for the draft, this would be the question everyone would be asking for the next week. Rodgers’ résumé speaks for itself. A former Super Bowl champion, Rodgers is a four-time MVP, four-time All-Pro, 10-time Pro Bowler, All-2010s Team member, holder of multiple NFL and Packers records, and a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
While he is coming off a down year in which he threw for his lowest passing total in a complete season since 2012 (3,695 yards in 2022), Rodgers makes nearly any roster better.
The upgrade he represents over Zach Wilson and Mike White is astronomical. The Jets have a team ready to compete. The offensive line is in great shape.
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Garrett Wilson is the reigning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, and if it wasn’t for him, Jets running back Breece Hall likely would have made a compelling candidate, if not for his ACL tear. CB Sauce Gardener won the DPOY, and the Jets’ defense under head coach Robert Saleh was one of the best units in 2022.
For once, the Jets can enter a season not worried about the quarterback. While this is not going to be prime Rodgers, and there will be a learning curve on both sides as the Jets install a playbook that he feels best suits his skill set, it’s unquestionably a substantial upgrade. It will move the Jets from not just playoff hopefuls but the team looking to make a significant run in the postseason.
Youth vs. Experience: Josh Allen Makes Compelling Case To Remain on Top of the Division
However, is Rodgers better than Allen today? That’s debatable. Although I’ve been told to respect my elders more times than I’d like to count, Allen can do things Rodgers can’t.
For one, mobility is a massive asset for Allen. Not only can he extend plays, but he is a legitimate option for the Bills’ rushing attack, and it’s darn near impossible to stop inside the goal line. At one time, Rodgers had plenty of mobility and had several instances of rushing for over 250 yards in a season. But in comparison, the two sides just don’t stack up, as Allen is one of the league’s preeminent dual-threat QBs.
At this point in his career, Allen also has the better arm in terms of pure strength over Rodgers. While I would concede Rodgers is likely more consistently accurate, the big-play upside has to go to Allen. His improvement since the addition of Stefon Diggs has forced scouts to re-evaluate how they view unpolished players coming out of college. You don’t average 4,411 yards and 36 TDs over three seasons by mistake.
Granted, we are splitting hairs against two of the best QBs the NFL has the offer. They are just on different paths in their career arc. If this was Rodgers five to 10 years ago, we’d have an entirely different debate, but for me, Buffalo maintains its edge over the division.
Are Some Being Too Quick To Place Aaron Rodgers Over Tua Tagovailoa?
The biggest wild card of the trio is Tua. If you can tell me he’ll be healthy all season, sign me up to watch what will be the best division in football. Surely this can’t go as poorly as saying the exact same thing last year for the AFC West?
On the field, Tua proved himself as a passer in 2022. He led all quarterbacks in passer rating (105.5), yards per attempt (8.9), and touchdown percentage (6.3%). He thrived in Mike McDaniel’s offense, and the addition of Tyreek Hill did what you would expect and helped open up the offense.
Talent is not the question; it’s staying on the field. We all witnessed the scenes on the field that left many speechless as Tua sustained multiple concussions last year. In a recent press conference, he even mentioned that retirement had crossed his mind at one point, which was a shocking admission.
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Like many others, I just want to see what Tagovailoa can do for an entire season. If he does that this year, it’s not out of the question Tua is the second-best QB in this division behind Allen, something Jets fans are going to hate hearing. Tua’s accuracy, touch, intelligence, and his ability to make those anticipatory throws are elite.
Although I would take prime Rodgers over the lot, given he is one of the most talented QBs ever to play, for where he is in his career right now, there’s a debate Rodgers is the QB3 in the AFC East.
It’s easy to get caught up in the hyperbole and the rush of the name association. We all love to do it. But were the statistical downturns last year a sign of Rodgers’ increasing age and diminishing skill set? It’s certainly a possibility and cannot be simply dismissed.
I don’t want to rain completely on the parade of Jets fans. You should be celebrating. The organization is trying to win a Super Bowl. I’m just not sure that will happen before Rodgers retires in two to three years. And when that happens, we will be doing the same song and dance all over again.
