Aaron Rodgers on healthy 2020 season: ‘Makes you feel like you could play 4-5 more years’

Zero injuries and a limited number of sacks created one of the healthiest seasons of Aaron Rodgers’ career in 2020, and the way he’s feeling now – in late January, following a full season – is providing more confidence in his potential to play the game’s hardest position for possibly another half-decade.

The presumptive MVP started all 18 games, didn’t miss a practice and was never on the injury report this season, which has Rodgers even more confident that he can play quarterback in the NFL for several more years at a high level.

“From an overall health standpoint, this was a great year for me,” Rodgers told “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday. “The low number of sacks. First time in my career, I believe, that I went through without missing a practice and without being on the injury list once. So to be 37, start every game, and not have any injuries was new and fun and exciting, and it makes you feel like you could play 4-5 more years and not think twice about it. So that’s a really good feeling, for sure.”

Rodgers, who turned 37 this past December, was sacked a career-low 20 times in 16 regular-season games and just four times in two playoff games. His sack percentage of 3.7 was also the lowest of his NFL career.

As a result of fewer hits behind a strong offensive line and playing in an offense designed to get the ball out of his hands on time, Rodgers avoided injury and produced one of the greatest statistical seasons of his career. He threw 48 touchdown passes, completed almost 71 percent of his passes and finished second all-time in passer rating for the 13-3 Packers, meaning he’ll likely be the MVP when the award is announced later this week.

For many years, Rodgers has stated a desire to play until he’s at least 40 years old. He’s currently under contract with the Packers through his age-40 season. If he can avoid a major injury and age as well as some other veteran quarterbacks, such as his opponent at Lambeau Field on Sunday, there’s no reason to think Rodgers can’t reach his goal or exceed it.

Rodgers credited strengthening his legs and being more in rhythm with his hitches in the dropback passing games as leading reasons for his MVP-caliber season. All season, he’s talked about stronger legs – after losing some strength in his lower half following several injuries, including a broken leg in 2018 – helping him be a better passer.

Matt LaFleur’s offense also helped. No longer in need of improvising every other play, Rodgers played mostly from the pocket, threw on time and was rarely hit. He can play a long time following the blueprint laid out in 2020.

One thing to consider as the Packers enter the 2021 offseason: left tackle David Bakhtiari is recovering from a season-ending knee injury, and All-Pro center Corey Linsley is an unrestricted free agent.

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