Packers have even bigger QB advantage in NFC North in 2021
Key to the consistent success of the Green Bay Packers over the years has been the play of their quarterbacks.
Since Aaron Rodgers became the starter in 2008, Green Bay has made the playoffs 10 times in 13 seasons, winning the division on seven occasions. The team hasn’t finished last in the division in any of those seasons.
It was a similar scenario throughout Brett Favre’s 16-year run in Green Bay. Between 1992 and 2007, the Packers made the playoffs 11 times, winning the division seven times.
Year after year, the Packers enjoy an advantage over their division rivals at the quarterback position.
Last season, Matthew Stafford, Kirk Cousins, and a combination of Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles were the division’s other starters at QB. Rodgers put together his third MVP season, helping lead Green Bay to another division crown.
The advantage is now even greater.
Stafford, far and away Rodgers’ biggest rival within the division for many years and a former Pro Bowler, has been traded to the Los Angeles Rams. In his place is Jared Goff, who could even face competition from Lions new signing and former Packer Tim Boyle.
In Chicago, Trubisky is gone, replaced by Andy Dalton, who was the backup quarterback in Dallas last season after the Bengals moved on from him. Cousins remains the starter in Minnesota.
The Vikings have made some good additions this offseason, signing Dalvin Tomlinson and Patrick Peterson. They look set to get back into playoff contention in 2021. But holding them back is their quarterback play.
It’s hard to see the Lions improving from their five-win season with Stafford and star wide receiver Kenny Golladay gone. The Bears, while talented, are seemingly forever unable to take that next step due to their play at the most important position in football.
Do the Packers have the best roster in the NFC North? For now, yes. But by far their biggest advantage over their division rivals is at quarterback. This offseason, they’ve pulled even further ahead.