Aaron Rodgers Ranked Above Patrick Mahomes by Marquez Valdes Scantling After Revealing Their Biggest Differences

In the NFL’s quarterback galaxy, Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes shine as supernova stars. But here’s a tidbit that’ll make you sit up faster than a linebacker spotting a fumble: Rodgers, at age 40, is still giving the young gun Mahomes a run for his money. Just ask Marquez Valdes-Scantling, the lucky wideout who’s caught passes from both these gunslingers.

Valdes-Scantling, fresh off his stint with the Chiefs and now playing for the Bills, dropped a bombshell on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” that’s got fans buzzing like a two-minute drill. He painted a picture of two QBs who could lead a team through hell in a gasoline suit but with styles as different as a Hail Mary and a QB sneak.

“They’re two different types of leaders,” Valdes-Scantling revealed. “Pat’s a lot more vocal, you know, rally the team. Aaron’s more, uh, you know, right in your face.” It’s like comparing a locker room hype man to a drill sergeant—both get the job done, but the playbook’s different.

USA Today via Reuters

When it comes to slinging the pigskin, Valdes-Scantling couldn’t pick a favorite, praising Mahomes’ cannon arm while giving props to Rodgers for his laser-like accuracy. “Aaron was just so pinpoint with everything that he did,” he said, subtly tipping the scales in A-Rod’s favor. It’s like choosing between a rocket launcher and a sniper rifle—both deadly; it just depends on your style.

This praise for Rodgers isn’t just hot air. The numbers back it up. In their first seven seasons, Rodgers boasted a higher completion percentage (65.4% vs 66.5%) and yards per attempt (8.2 vs 7.9) than Mahomes. But Mahomes isn’t exactly riding the pine; he’s racked up more passing yards (28,424 vs 17,366) and touchdowns (219 vs 132) in the same timeframe.

Aaron Rodgers Vs Patrick Mahomes leadership styles are like chalk and cheese

Going deeper into their playbooks of leadership, it becomes apparent that these QBs employ different offensive schemes when it comes to motivating their men. Rodgers, who is still a seasoned pro, prefers speaking personally. Like Valdes-Scantling said, “Aaron goes to each individual.” Imagine Rodgers as the coach who takes you aside and tells you all about your route, running like he’s solving a Rubik’s cube.

via Imago

Mahomes, on the other hand, is described as the vocal cheerleader for the whole squad. “Pat addresses the whole team,” Valdes-Scantling noted. But don’t get it twisted – both QBs are cut from the same competitive cloth. “They’re both super competitive,” Valdes-Scantling emphasized.

Their on-field wizardry is where the magic really happens. Valdes-Scantling praised their “arm talent” and ability to make plays “off schedule.” It’s like watching two escape artists—you never know how they’ll wriggle out of a sack and turn it into a touchdown.

This sentiment is echoed by none other than Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner, who’s been getting a taste of Rodgers’ magic in OTAs. Gardner ranked Rodgers as the most manipulative QB in the league, even above Mahomes. “He don’t really give you too many opportunities to intercept him,” Gardner said, frustration evident in his voice. It’s like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands.

As we look to the 2024 season, both QBs have their eyes on the prize. Mahomes is gunning for an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl, while Rodgers is hoping to end his 14-year Super Bowl drought. It’s shaping up to be a showdown worthy of a John Madden play-by-play.

This was best summed up by Valdes-Scantling: “I was grateful to have those two guys as my first two quarterbacks.”. Once again, talk about winning the lottery at the quarterback position! We are just fortunate as fans to witness these two maestros directing their own offensive symphonies in their own unique fashion.