In his 20th season, Aaron Rodgers’s impact is not enough to save him from current scrutiny. With a fourth consecutive loss and fifth overall, the Jets’ chances for the postseason look bleak. Similarly, Michael Jordan also faced the same fate as the 3x Super Bowl Champion – he failed to match his career-high stats with the Bulls during his time with the Wizards.

“We must hold Aaron Rodgers. Not to the quarterback that are playing today, to a younger Aaron Rodgers. Because when you’re great, that’s what you get compared to your younger self”, Shannon Sharpe answered a fan question on his podcast, adding, “They compare Michael Jordan to him younger self. They compare Kobe, They compare LeBron. All the greats get compared to them younger selves. That’s just the way it is. I didn’t make the rules and I’m not going to try and change it now to fit somebody to make sure that they’re okay.”

The fan question was in context with the firing of Robert Saleh and the hiring of former teammate Davante Adams, “Who’s Rodgers blaming next?” C0-host Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, made it clear that Rodgers will have to play better. Highlighting that he has seen some sparks of brilliant play, but the consistency is lacking. That’s why Shannon Sharpe, on Nightcap, noted how the expectation from the Jets is to win the Super Bowl now.

A similar expectation LeBron James is carrying on his shoulder ahead of his 22nd season in the league. Even Kobe Bryant wanted to add a 6th ring to his collection but failed post the 2010 win. That’s why Michael Jordan and his Washington Wizards run have received little appreciation in comparison to the Bulls dynasty run.

Michael Jordan and his Wizards run get rare acknowledgment

“He wasn’t athletic like he was, but still being able to finish over guys. It was so incredible because it was such a master of art, how simple he just made the game.” The new Kings star DeMar DeRozan spoke to Paul George on Podcast P, last month. He even highlighted that he learned a lot from aging Michael Jordan. Similarly, Carmelo Anthony had a lot to learn from MJ, a year before his NBA debut.

“So, I just remember watching him, like, just, you know, like as a basketball player, and like, damn, he just looked, like, he looked so different.” Melo explained how a 38-year-old Jordan was efficient and improved his 3-point shooting. Yes, with 29.1%, it was his seventh-highest career overall from his 15-season-long run. Also, His Airness once scored 51 points against the Charlotte Hornets to then become the oldest to do so.

So, Michael Jordan indeed couldn’t match his stats from his Bulls dynasty era, but it’s also correct that he adapted his play style and averaged 21.2 points during that 2-year run. Hence, even Sharpe keeps Aaron Rodgers in that category and expects the QB to turn things around. After all, this is his first full season with the team, after suffering the injury during game 1 last season.