Aaron Rodgers is not the kind of player who likes to collect keepsakes or mementos from his accomplishments on the field.
But maybe one day, he will be.
In 2011, when the Green Bay Packers quarterback tossed his 100th career touchdown, the milestone came during a game in Atlanta.
James Jones hauled in the score but was unaware of the occasion so he threw the celebratory ball into the stands.
On Thursday night, Rodgers threw his 200th career touchdown pass – to rookie Davante Adams – in the second quarter of his 99th game.
“[It was] his first touchdown [and] I’m not going to take his ball,” Rodgers said after the Packers’ 42-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
“So, hopefully, I can get to 300 and throw it to a guy who’s caught a touchdown before so I can keep that one.”
At the pace Rodgers has been performing, No 300 is a certainty.
A 20-point blowout to the defending champion Seattle Seahawks in the season opener is in the rear-view mirror as Rodgers, 30, has led Green Bay to wins in three of their past four.
More impressive has been the Packers’ shock-and-awe offence that has put up a combined 80 points in their past two games.
Mind you, the second game was played on a short week as both opponents were NFC North division rivals.
Rodgers exploded for a season-high 302 passing yards and four touchdowns in a 38-17 dismantling of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field last Sunday.
Exactly 96 hours later, the former back-up to Brett Favre chipped in with 156 yards and three scores against the Minnesota Vikings.
In the latter game, Rodgers reached the 200-touchdown career marker quicker than any NFL player other than Dan Marino, who achieved 200 TDs in 89 games.
Rodgers, the Super Bowl XLV winner and three-time Pro Bowler, is not going to get a big head.
“We have a lot to improve on,” Rodgers said after Thursday’s win. “Offensively, we’re a little stagnant.
“I think we have some considerable improvements to make.”
If he feels more is needed, would 80 points in a game suffice?
Either way Rodgers is determined to notch his 300th touchdown and score another Super Bowl ring, it is just a question of which milestone he will hit first.
agray@thenational.ae
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