Aaron Rodgers' 2018 NFL season with the Green Bay Packers was a period marked by significant contractual agreements, a series of injuries, and a display of his enduring competitive spirit. Despite the team's eventual elimination from playoff contention, Rodgers achieved notable personal milestones, including setting new NFL records for pass attempts without an interception. His season was a testament to his resilience, as he navigated physical challenges
while continuing to perform at a high level, even when the team's overall success was limited.
Contract Extension and Early Season Challenges
The 2018 season began with a major development off the field for Rodgers. On August 29, 2018, he signed a substantial four-year extension with the Packers, valued at $134 million. This new deal included a significant $57.5 million signing bonus, solidifying his long-term commitment to the team. However, the on-field action quickly presented challenges. During Week 1's Sunday Night Football game against the Chicago Bears, Rodgers sustained a knee injury. Despite leaving the game, he returned in the third quarter, demonstrating remarkable determination. He went on to throw for 286 passing yards and three touchdowns, orchestrating a rally that led the Packers to a narrow 24–23 victory.
Following this initial injury, Rodgers continued to play through a nagging knee issue. He attempted at least 40 passes in each of the subsequent three games. During the last of these games, he threw his first interception in 150 attempts, a rare occurrence for the precision passer. In Week 5, Rodgers delivered a strong performance, passing for 442 yards, which was the second-best of his career, and three touchdowns. However, he also had two fumbles in a 31–23 loss to the Detroit Lions, indicating that the season would be a mix of highs and lows.
Record-Breaking Streaks and Continued Injuries
Rodgers' ability to avoid interceptions remained a hallmark of his play in 2018. In Week 14 against the Atlanta Falcons, he set a new NFL record by completing his 359th consecutive pass without an interception, surpassing Tom Brady's previous record. This impressive streak highlighted his exceptional ball security and decision-making. However, this record-breaking run eventually came to an end in Week 15 against the Chicago Bears. In that game, Rodgers threw for 274 yards but was intercepted by free safety Eddie Jackson, ending his streak at 402 pass attempts.
Despite the ongoing knee injury, Rodgers maintained a high level of play, achieving a quarterback rating of 100 or higher for three consecutive weeks. This period included a game against the Los Angeles Rams where he threw for 286 yards with no interceptions and delivered a crucial 40-yard go-ahead touchdown pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling, though the Packers ultimately lost 29–27. His resilience was further showcased in Week 16 against the New York Jets, where he finished with 442 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and two rushing touchdowns. Trailing by 15 points at one stage, Rodgers led the Packers to a 44–38 overtime victory. This performance matched his own previous feat from 2011 against the Denver Broncos, making him the only player in NFL history to achieve at least 400 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and two rushing touchdowns in a single game twice.
Pro Bowl Selection and Season-Ending Concussion
Rodgers' strong individual performance throughout the season earned him a significant honor. On December 18, 2018, he was named to his seventh Pro Bowl. However, he ultimately declined the appearance due to injury, and Russell Wilson replaced him. The season concluded on a challenging note for Rodgers. In the regular season finale against the Detroit Lions, he suffered a concussion early in the game and did not return. He was subsequently sent to the hospital for evaluation of concussion symptoms. With the Packers already eliminated from playoff contention, questions arose about whether he should have been playing, given the risk of injury. Rodgers addressed these concerns, stating, "That's just not the way I lead, and I'm super-competitive, and I want to be out there with the guys and I look forward to being out there." He was later seen at the Packers' facility after the game, underscoring his commitment.
Rodgers finished the 2018 season with 372 completions, 597 attempts, 4,442 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, and only two interceptions, resulting in a passer rating of 97.6. In addition to his record for consecutive passes without an interception, he also set NFL records for the lowest interception percentage in a season, with only 0.335% of his passes being intercepted, and for the number of thrown-away passes. His peers recognized his performance, ranking him No. 10 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018 and No. 8 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.
