For years, having Aaron Rodgers on the other side of the field was the scariest sight for Chicago Bears fans. He amassed a 25-5 record vs. the Bears in his career, including a 1-0 playoff record, as well as 6,965 passing yards, 66 total touchdowns (2 rushing), 10 picks, and a 109 passer rating.
That's why, after nearly two decades of dominance and supremacy, it's so sweet to finally watch that man look mortal. He's no longer at the peak of his powers, and he probably should've called it quits instead of running it back for another season.
Rodgers' return to the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't move the needle one bit. Instead, NFL analyst Chris Simms ranked him as the 26th best quarterback in the league ahead of the upcoming season, even behind guys like Jacoby Brissett and just ahead of Joe Flacco and Tyler Shough.
Aaron Rodgers' farewell is music to Bears' fans earss
"Rodgers’ lack of aggression and athleticism at this point in his career hold him to No. 26," Simms wrote.
Every great story needs a villain, and Rodgers had no problem embracing that role in the Windy City. From infamously claiming to take ownership of the club to putting defenses in a torture chamber twice a year, he became public enemy number 1 in Chicago.
However, all bad guys eventually get caught. Rodgers burned bridges all around the league, and while his play failed to keep up, most teams realized he simply wasn't worth the trouble and started closing the door on him.
Unless he leads the Steelers to the Super Bowl -- which seems fairly unlikely -- or gets released or traded, he has already played his last game against the Bears. Fans won't miss him, though they may love having a chance to boo him at Soldier Field one last time.
Rodgers was on top of the world when the NFC North was weak, but things would've probably been much different if he had to face this version of the Bears. Those were some tough years for the fan base, but they had to go through heartbreak to reach this point.
The game is always better when the best are on the field, and as much as Bears fans will hate to admit it, Rodgers is, by every objective and subjective measure, one of the greatest to ever do it. Sadly, the Bears couldn't get the last laugh against him, but it's refreshing to know that his reign of terror has finally come to an end. So long and farewell, AR12, you won't be missed in Chicago.
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