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Fantasy Football Takeaways from Aaron Rodgers’ COVID Revelation

November 10, 2021 | Fantasy Football Strategy | 1 Comment

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Weeks 8 and 9 of the NFL season provided fantasy football managers with notable revelations regarding Aaron Rodgers and COVID:

  • Green Packers QB Aaron Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Rodgers did not receive the COVID vaccine.

How is Aaron Rodgers’ COVID status different from what we have learned about other unvaccinated players?

Although there are NFL players who have shared they are not vaccinated, Aaron Rodgers is a notable departure on how QBs have talked about vaccine status. Quarterbacks that have spoken openly about not having the vaccination, like Carson Wentz (33.9% rostered, 22.2% started in Week 8) and Kirk Cousins (83.7% rostered, 63.9% started in Week 8), are not rostered and started at the same rate as Rodgers. As the most prolific NFL player to share they are not vaccinated and also contract COVID since the vaccine has been available, Rodgers (99.8% rostered and 74.6% started in Week 8) mid-season news sent a shockwave through the fantasy community, especially those who had Rodgers on their roster.

Aaron Rodgers diverged from Wentz, Cousins, and QBs who were less overt about their vaccination status like Lamar Jackson. Rodgers told the press he had been “immunized”. Immunization is often but not always achieved through receiving a vaccine. As a result, Rodgers is now facing criticism about his evasiveness regarding his vaccine status.

 

What Are The Short-Term Fantasy Implications of The Aaron Rodgers News?

Regardless of thoughts and opinions on semantics, COVID-19, and vaccinations, if you had Aaron Rodgers as QB1 on your fantasy team, he was not much help (i.e. no help) in Week 9. Hopefully, you had a decent backup that can cover until Rodgers is physically and mentally healthy after a tumultuous week in the media. During his Tuesday spot on The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers said he is likely to play but there is a small chance he might not meet some health requirements and had not yet tried to exert himself.

While the potential absence of Russell Wilson once meant a cakewalk for the Packers against the Seahawks in Week 10, the Seahawks announced Wilson has been cleared to play in what is being termed as “remarkable recovery“. *stares in Alex Smith*

There is some good news if Rodgers is on your roster. Rodgers and the Packers are both being fined, but Rodgers will not be suspended. He will be exempt from daily COVID testing for 90 days, which is the week before the Super Bowl. 

If there are other Packers on your roster, keep your eye on health updates. Marcedes Lewis (TE), Randall Cobb (WR), and others attended a Halloween Party with a maskless Rodgers. As a result, the Packers could be dealing with residual COVID problems for the next few weeks.

What Are the Long-Term Fantasy Implications of The Aaron Rodgers News?

This conversation might feel a bit familiar, but the events after Week 8 might create a shift for some on how they consider drafting and trading players moving forward. 

While people were open to talking about the NFL and COVID, I set up a poll to understand how fantasy managers viewed drafting during these divisive times. Full disclosure: The audience that saw my poll likely trends more liberal. However, the conversation and voting seemed to keep in the realm of fantasy and apolitical.

https://twitter.com/Keelin_12ft/status/1455939791082692609

167 individuals answered with 64.7% (about 108 respondents) of respondents saying they did not consider vaccine status. 2.4% of respondents voted “Other”. These respondents let me know they did not participate in fantasy football or drafted in other sports (basketball). 

Individuals were open to elaborate on their strategy with drafting and/or COVID seemed to fall into three camps: 

  • No, I did not (various reasons given including apathy, inattention, and calculated risks).

  • No, I did not consider vaccine status except for Cole Beasley. 

  • Yes, I considered vaccine status and think of it like an injury or other risk factor when drafting. 

Fantasy managers who actively researched players’ vaccine status likely found the information scattered and difficult or impossible to find. League-wide and team status rates have been evolving and available throughout the season. As many might have suspected and Aaron Rodgers has shown us, the reliability of the data is not great. 

A solid backup plan will be crucial to offset the uncertainty of information the NFL, teams, and players. Drafting and trading for quality second and third-string players for high-leverage positions will continue to be important. While COVID alone will not necessarily result in serious, long-term health consequences for players, soft tissue injuries are trending upwards in the NFL for various reasons. Obtaining a single ringer, no matter how consistent they have been, is becoming less and less sustainable. 

 

 

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