You must have missed the part when I said, 'First time I have thought this', so no, I didn't think Rodgers was on the decline in 2016. As I mentioned I was worried last offseason about Rodgers' broken collarbone on his throwing shoulder. 2 years and 2 injuries later, I do think he's on some decline.
Well "some decline" could mean a lot of things. Has he lost maybe a touch of his peak speed? Perhaps. Has he lost maybe a touch of his peak escapability? Perhaps. Has he lost any arm strength whatsoever? Absolutely not. He can still make every throw. He's just been off.
There's a difference in your timing/precision being off and saying that he's lost arm strength and velocity. Because the latter is simply not the case at all. Look at the throw to Allison on opening night against the Bears that he put right in the bread basket that he put a ton of air under to make it work. The throw to Tonyan where he was completely falling away rolling to his right and launched a rope across his body 60 yards for a touchdown. I could go on, but what's the point?
Rodgers just turned 35 and he's a young 35 due to the time he spent behind Favre early in his career. I'm not at all concerned with his abilities having diminished at this point in his career. The comment, and I'm paraphrasing, about 'maybe the Packers are now stuck with him' is laughable to the highest degree.
Again, its the same overreaction that many were exhibiting early 2016. You say you weren't a part of that crowd, but regardless, it's the same principle. I had to be the voice of reason and talk people away from the ledge then, and I'm dumbfounded that I'm having to do it again.
You, and several others, are breaking the cardinal rule. The golden rule. Whatever you want to call it. And it's simple: Never ever count out or bet against Aaron Rodgers. That's really all that you need to know.
