Packers Morning Buzz: At 36, can Aaron Rodgers still be 'The Man'?

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers from around the web and here at PackersNews.com.

We'll start with Pete Dougherty fielding a question Wednesday in his weekly live chat about whether Aaron Rodgers at age 36 can still be "The Man" to lead the Packers to a championship.

Dougherty's response:

I'm not convinced he's any different than Favre was at the same age, or Elway at the same stage in his career. Favre had a couple more really good seasons (one in GB, one in Minnesota). Elway won two Super Bowls with an offense built around a Hall of Fame running back (Terrell Davis). Obviously Rodgers doesn't make the players around him better in the way he used to -- he isn't as good scrambling and turning nothing into something; not that he can't do it, but he can't do it as routinely. He definitely needs more help. But there are other ways he can make a difference, with his knowledge of defenses, and he still has great arm talent. He's also been in the offense for a year, so that should help next season. He just needs a little more around him than he used to, just as Favre and Elway did. Rodgers' cap number next year is $21.1M, that's low for the position.

Asked later in the chat whether the Packers need to adjust their game plans now that Rodgers "is nothing more than an average quarterback," Dougherty replied:

"I have to disagree with your assessment of Rodgers. I think he's much, much better than an average QB. He's not as good as he was, but he's still really good, just has some physical limitations as a runner he didn't have, and he's not as consistent as he was. Elway went 7-7 and then 8-8 as a starter at ages 34 and 35, then went 45-8 and won two Super Bowls. Favre led the league in interceptions at age 36 and went 8-8 at 37, then went to two more NFC title games. Rodgers will have to adjust the way he plays as his mobility decreases, but he still has the arm talent."

You can read the rest of Pete's chat (which lasted for 2 hours and covered a multitude of Packers topics) here:

Mike Pettine will remain as defensive coordinator despite the Packers' poor showing against the 49ers this season, via Ryan Wood:

Packers coach Matt LaFleur met the media and discussed a variety of topics, including Rodgers and LaFleur's disappointment over his team's effort against the 49ers:

49ers coach Kyle Shanahan gives an official a heads up about a potential Packers penalty, and sure enough ... 

The 49ers won in many different ways during the 2019 season (although against the Packers, it was by blowout both times):

Can you guess the highest-ranked Super Bowl featuring the Packers?

The Packers played in the first Super Bowl held in Miami (Super Bowl II), and the city has hosted many memorable games:

Former Packers coach Mike McCarthy is renowned for his ability to run an offense, but the newly named Cowboys coach has some thoughts about his defense as well:

This was back when the top quarterbacks still showed up for the Pro Bowl:

And finally .... this is well done and a lot of fun:

Contact Stu Courtney at (920) 431-8377 or scourtney@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @stucourt