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Colin Cowherd giving his opinion on Aaron Rodgers’ intelligence is the sports media equivalent of an extremely movable object colliding with an easily stoppable force.
Speaking about Rodgers on his show this week, Cowherd said that the 40-year-old New York Jets quarterback — who has won the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award four times while playing the sport’s most difficult position — has a low football IQ.
“Forget about his political opinions, Aaron’s football IQ isn’t very high,” Cowherd said on his Fox Sports radio show on Wednesday, January 17.
“Forget about his vaccine and political opinions, Aaron’s football IQ isn’t very high.” pic.twitter.com/qQBawUA75g
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 17, 2024
The foundation of Cowherd’s argument is Rodgers’ decision to force his way out of Green Bay to instead play for the New York Jets and listed all of the football reasons why that was a bad idea.
Cowherd points out, among other things, that the Packers just drafted talented young receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs (and eventually Jayden Reed), have a superior offensive line and head coach (who is also offensive-minded as opposed to the defensive-minded Robert Saleh), and play in an easier conference with less elite quarters.
In that regard, it’s certainly difficult to argue with Cowherd. But that decision from Rodgers doesn’t necessarily display a lack of football intelligence, but rather, his depth of selfishness.
If Rodgers did only care about winning, he’d likely still be in Green Bay. But he doesn’t. He wants to be in charge. And the Jets were willing to give him the keys to the kingdom. And he wants to be heard. That’s why the New York market is perfect for him and why he’s on The Pat McAfee Show every week.
So while Cowherd was ultimately right in his reasoning he was wrong in his phrasing: Aaron Rodgers doesn’t have a low football IQ, he has misguided priorities. Maybe when the reality of playing for the Jets sinks in next season, he’ll realize it.