Aaron Rodgers comes to Patrick Mahomes' defense following rough start

It’s not a stretch to say Patrick Mahomes isn’t looking like Patrick Mahomes this season. But another NFL quarterback said he’s not worried about how Mahomes will respond to his rough start.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers made one of his regular appearances on the Pat McAfee Show and discussed Mahomes’ early-season struggles.

“There’s been stretches where I haven’t played my best ball, for sure, and I think you’ve just got to keep going back to what got you [to] the position you’re in,” Rodgers said. “A lot of times, people say … ‘I’m going to do this and that.’ If that was the remedy, then why weren’t you doing it before? I think you’ve got to stick with what got you to this point. … He’s a talented, talented player.

There’s going to be rough stretches throughout your career. … I do have a relationship with Patrick, I have a lot of respect for him, I think he’s a fantastic player. I love watching him play.”

Mahomes, a former MVP who led the Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl LIV title in 2019, has struggled so far in 2021. He leads the NFL with 10 interceptions and ranks 16th in completion percentage, throwing at a 66.5% clip.

Kansas City is 4-4 this season and coming off a grind-it-out victory over the New York Giants on Monday Night Football this week. The Chiefs are getting ready to face the Packers, who will be without Rodgers.

Aaron Rodgers tests positive for COVID-19

Green Bay Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers has tested positive for COVID-19, according to NFL reporter Tom Pelissero. Rodgers’ diagnosis means he will miss the Packers’ Week 9 game versus the 4-4 Kansas City Chiefs.

The 17-year NFL vet is unvaccinated against the coronavirus, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

Packers practice squad QB Kurt Benkert tested positive earlier this week.

Aaron Rodgers and the Pack picked up win No. 7 this year on Thursday night. Green Bay took down the Arizona Cardinals in a 24-21 battle.

The 7-1 Packers have a steady lead in the NFC North. Behind them, the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears have three wins apiece.

Rodgers is having a great season for the Packers despite off-season drama. The vet has 1,894 passing yards through eight games with 17 touchdowns and three interceptions. Rodgers’ completion percentage at 67% is one of his best yet, following his 70% year last season that earned him another MVP award.

Reporters asked Aaron Rodgers in August if he was vaccinated and he said, “Yeah, I’ve been immunized.”

“There are guys on the team who haven’t been vaccinated, it’s a personal decision, I’m not going to judge those guys,” Rodgers said. “It’s an interesting issue I think we’re going to see played out the entire season.”