It is not often NFL spreads move by 6.5 points on the back of one news update, but that’s exactly what happened when Aaron Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.
Rodgers, the league’s reigning MVP, will now miss that eagerly-awaited marquee matchup with Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead on Sunday.
As a result the 7-1 Packers are now a 7.5-point underdog to claim an eighth straight win in 2021, having opened at +1. Jordan Love, a first-round draft pick in 2020, will now get the start at quarterback in KC.
Rodgers unvaccinated says league
The news of Rodgers’ positive test also brings into sharp focus his controversial vaccination status.
Per the official NFL website, the league sees Rodgers as unvaccinated despite his attempts to have them categorize him as vaccinated.
The future Hall of Famer underwent homeopathic treatment in the summer to raise his antibody levels, but that was not enough to have the NFL change his status.
The net result is Rodgers – like other unvaccinated players – is treated different to those who have taken league-approved vaccines.
Instead of just needing to return two negative PCR tests at least 24 hours apart, Rodgers must now isolate from the team for 10 days.
So rather than still having a chance of facing the Chiefs on Sunday, Rodgers cannot return until November 13 at the earliest – one day before the Week 10 matchup with Seattle.
2021 a year of drama for Rodgers
This is the latest drama in a year of drama for Rodgers in Green Bay. He of course had that much-publicized stand-off with the front office, leading to frenzied trade rumors.
Eventually the two parties kissed and made up, Rodgers had his contract restructured and reported for camp. The restructure though apparently means it is likely he will get his wish to move on after 2021 in a blockbusting trade.