Former Green Bay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been a thorn in the side of the Dallas Cowboys since 2008.
However, on April 28, 2023, Christmas came early for America's team. Rodgers was granted his wish and traded to the New York Jets for some draft capital.
The divorce papers between the Packers and their Super Bowl-winning quarterback had finally been signed.
He was content taking his talents to East Rutherford, NJ and the Cowboys were free of Rodgers at least for this upcoming season.
That's at least what they thought. But in the famous words of Mr. Lee Corso, “Not so fast, my friend.”
The shades of green on his team's jerseys may have changed but Dallas will still have to deal with the condescending smirk plastered on Rodgers' face.
Mike McCarthy's Dallas Cowboys will host Aaron Rodgers' New York Jets in 2023 in AT&T Stadium.
The building where they won the Super Bowl together. https://t.co/SmbCOTpvtC
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) April 24, 2023
In the past, Aaron Rodgers seemed to take pleasure in beating Dallas especially at AT&T Stadium. His record versus Dallas is currently 8-3 including regular season and playoffs.
The numbers against the world's wealthiest sports franchise back it up.
A stat line of 14 touchdowns, 2 rushing touchdowns and 1 interception in 11 games will do the trick.
Watching him narrowly escape the grasp of Cowboys defenders only to loft game-clinching passes has caused plenty of pain for a lifetime.
The sideline pass to Tight End Jared Cook in the 2017 divisional round is still a memory most Cowboys fans are trying to erase.
Will Aaron continue to Be A problem for Dallas Even with the Jets?
The short answer is maybe.
The concern from Dallas Cowboys fans probably won't be resolved with one offseason.
The 4-time MVP was strategic with his trade destination. On paper, the Jets' offense looks explosive with their young playmakers.
Head Coach Robert Saleh spent the last two seasons building a top-rated defense.
Rodgers even convinced a few of his trusted comrades to join him on the East Coast.
First it was Allen Lazard, Billy Turner and now it's Randall Cobb.
Aaron Rodgers has 534 completions to Randall Cobb, including in the playoffs, the second most to any player in his career behind Davante Adams and his 687, per ESPN's @EpKap. https://t.co/ascYJsEHZ7
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 3, 2023
Here in Dallas, Head Coach Mike McCarthy knows he has the defense to send Rodgers and the Gang Green Nation back to whence they came.
Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco and Mike White were sacked a combined 42 times last season. That should be sweet music to the Cowboys' ears.
Coincidentally, Dallas tallied 54 sacks of their own tying them for fourth in the NFL. They will have to provide pressure early and often to hit Rodgers as much as possible.
Last season, Micah Parsons had zero sacks against Aaron Rodgers and as a team, they collected only two.
That must change especially against a below-average offensive line.
Even still, a choice between Parsons versus any combination of Duane Brown/George Fant/Mekhi Becton, give me the two-time All-Pro edge rusher at any odds.
It's possible Dallas will find a way to let Aaron Rodgers off the hook. He's a year older with the expectations of succeeding in New York on his shoulders.
There may not be a better opportunity for the Cowboys to snag a win against their long-time nemesis.
