At present, I needed to take a look at new Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the way he fared as a first-down passer final season. Early down success can clearly result in many good issues on offense, and the hope is to see if Rodgers’ current resume presents any optimism (or vice versa) for the Black and Gold in 2025.
First, let’s get a gauge on accuracy with first down completion charge, together with catchable charge (excluding spikes, throwaways and miscommunications, and together with defensed correct passes):
Rodgers was clearly higher than 2024 Steelers starter Russell Wilson. The latter was under the imply in every, whereas Rodgers had an at-the-mean 67.9 first down completion charge (T-18th, 34 qualifying QBs). His first down catchable charge skyrocketed to 88.8 %, although, which jumped all the way in which right into a tie for fourth finest.
So, Rodgers was one of the correct quarterbacks within the NFL final season on the early down. Sadly for the 2024 Jets, his playmakers let him down too typically, emphasised by touchdown effectively above the pattern line (diagonal line). This level was additionally true for Wilson, to a lesser extent. The Steelers’ receiving corps will definitely be aiming to show extra dependable for Rodgers.
An essential degree of play to layer in is yardage. Here’s a have a look at first down yards per try together with a stat that layers different important data – Adjusted Web Yards per Try (ANY/A = ([Pass Yards] + 20[Pass TD] – 45[Interceptions] – [Sack Yards])/([Attempts] + [Sacks]):
Each quarterbacks in our sights have been under the imply in every. Leaping out most considerably is Rodgers’ dead-last 5.9 yards per try on first down in 2024. Which means that he took excessive share throws nearer to the road of scrimmage than most, which could possibly be taken as completely damaging, however can be good in making extra advantageous second-down conditions.
What’s additionally encouraging about Aaron Rodgers is a 6.5 first down ANY/A, a lot nearer to common at 18th. Contemplating all that ANY/A elements (yards, TDs, INTs, sacks, makes an attempt), it’s a formidable soar regardless of his low yards per try. He additionally handed Wilson within the extra essential stat. It factors once more to optimism that Rodgers can enhance Pittsburgh’s first-down passing offense.
A well-documented narrative is Aaron Rodgers’ sturdy TD/INT charges over his illustrious two-decade profession. Right here’s what first down appeared like final season:
The quarterbacks we’re targeted on have been clearly towards the highest of the league in interception charges. Whereas Wilson performed much less, he was certainly one of simply two QBs with out an interception on first down among the many 34 qualifiers, impressively. Aaron Rodgers was proper behind with a 0.5 first-down interception charge that tied for third finest on only one choose.
It’s reasonably spectacular contemplating Rodgers had 212 first-down makes an attempt in 2024 (seventh most). For added context, Wilson’s 110 makes an attempt have been twenty eighth (seventh least), and the opposite participant with no picks had 118 makes an attempt. So, Rodgers supplied probably the most high quality and amount in these phrases than any QB in 2024.
Then there’s a staggering distinction in first-down TD charges. Final 12 months in Pittsburgh, Wilson had a 1.8 first-down TD charge that was third worst amongst qualifiers, on two touchdowns. Aaron Rodgers engulfed these numbers, with 12 first-down touchdowns (fourth), a 5.7 first-down TD charge (fifth) — music to followers’ ears and a staff that’s struggled placing up factors persistently for a while.
The longer term is unsure, and plenty of issues can occur year-to-year. In 2024, Aaron Rodgers had a excessive quantity, was considerably extra correct than his total completion charge suggests and was extremely productive in key statistics that align along with his resume (TDs, INTs, Sacks).
