NFL power rankings: Post-preseason 32-team breakdown before Week 1

NFL power rankings: 32-team post-preseason breakdown ahead of Week 1

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterbacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet after their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

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GREEN BAY, WI – AUGUST 09: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers participates in warmups prior to a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Lambeau Field on August 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Green Bay Packers. 9. team. 49. . . Previous:

Well, the man got paid.

Deservedly so, future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers is now the richest player in NFL history. His four-year extension was a must for the Packers, whose prospects for a playoff return hinge entirely around their signal-caller.

As last year proved, however, the Packers don’t win much without Rodgers in place.

OK, so the team shipped off its fill-in starter last year, Brett Hundley, to the Seahawks. And the Packers hope to never see new backup quarterback DeShone Kizer take a meaningful snap this season.

And if that goes to plan, Green Bay will be just fine. That’s how good Rodgers is, although it was admittedly fun to watch the quarterback’s budding chemistry with tight end Jimmy Graham develop this preseason.

But the Packers don’t advance in our NFL power rankings simply because of a four-year extension. The move merely points out what we all know — Rodgers is, perhaps, the best player in the league right now, and no team relies more on someone of his caliber than Green Bay.