Ryan Clark claims Aaron Rodgers, Mike Tomlin have both underachieved in their careers

Ryan Clark made a profound statement Tuesday, saying Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin have both underachieved in their respective careers. Quarterbacks and head coaches are judged harshly when it comes to Super Bowl appearances and victories.

In the case of Rodgers and Tomlin, neither have been back since Super Bowl XLV, when Rodgers’ Packers beat Tomlin’s Steelers. Now that the two are together in Pittsburgh for what could be the QB’s final season, there’s pressure to deliver.

It’s fair to wonder if a playoff appearance constitutes success considering the age of Rodgers and where the Steelers are as a team. Of course, it’s Super Bowl or bust in those guy’s minds, but Clark did a total career evaluation.

“After this season, we’re going to have sort of a referendum on what Aaron Rodgers’ career is and what Mike Tomlin’s career is,” Clark said on Get Up. “And I’m saying something that’s probably going to be a little bit controversial at the end of the season, we’re going to look back at these two first ballot Hall of Famers, who we hold in such high esteem, and I think we’re going to finally realize that both Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin have underachieved in their career. 

“Both of them have such a high floor of talent, of ability, of potential to be the greatest that’s ever done it, in my opinion, at their individual positions and places on their team. And they both underachieve. If you would have told me after Aaron Rodgers beat us in 2011 that both him and Mike Tomlin would not go back to a Super Bowl and we’d be in 2025, I would have bet my entire savings on it, and I would have been broke.”

Rodgers has only been to the one Super Bowl, which he won. Tomlin went to Super Bowl XLIII two years prior and won his only championship in Pittsburgh.

Clark’s point, which is to illustrate how most talk about Rodgers and Tomlin, goes to show how hard it is to win it all. But it also reveals where most of the criticism these days comes from when rating all-timers.

It’s a debate that likely has no end in sight, even if Rodgers’ career is over after 2025. Heck, even he isn’t racing to get to Super Bowl LX just yet. He’s ready to enjoy the moment.

“But it’s a special, special place to play sports,” Rodgers said. “Just great blue-collar people and I’m excited to meet some of the fans along the way.”

Rodgers is entering his 21st NFL season. He spent the first 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers and the previous two with the New York Jets. In his career, Rodgers has been named a Pro Bowler 10 times, won the NFL MVP award four times and led the Packers to a Super Bowl during the 2010 season.