The Green Bay Packers 3-4 are off to their worst start in seven games since Aaron Rodgers took over at quarterback. They have lost three consecutive games – the most recent against the Washington Commanders on Sunday. Anyone can tell the Packers are gone just by looking at them, but the stats are staggering.
Washington’s defense held Rodgers 0 of 6 on third down in Week 7. This was the first game of Rodgers’ career in which he did not convert a third down, by The Athletic. The Packers had not gone without a third conversion in a game since Oct. 17, 1999. This year also marked the first time Rodgers lost three games in a row.
With the offensive struggles, Rodgers went to the “Pat McAfee Show” this week and said maybe some players who play shouldn’t play, and maybe some players who don’t play should play.
“It’s definitely not just a game here or there,” Rodgers said. “It’s 20% of the time. If we have 50 games and we have 10 missed missions or mental errors, it’s 20% of the time. That’s way too high. In the past, we look like more, less than 10%, so that gives us a very good chance of succeeding. Twenty percent is way too high. This is a series where you really make it difficult for yourself. So we have to fix that.
“I think guys who make too many mistakes shouldn’t play. I need to start cutting some reps. And maybe guys who don’t play, give them a chance.”
On Wednesday, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was asked about Rodgers’ comments. He said Rodgers didn’t call any of his teammates by name and the whole team deserved the blame.
“I think, you know, we have to be honest with each other, and sometimes the truth hurts,” LaFleur told reporters, via Pro Football Talk. “And that’s no different than when your kids make a mistake, is it? You tell them about it. And you make sure that – I don’t think he publicly called out individuals, I don’t think no. I didn’t sit there and listen to the whole thing. So I just think you have to get to the root of the truth. And that gives you an opportunity to learn and grow. And we can’t run away from that, ever. And no different than when we’re in these team meetings. You always call it that. And I don’t think anybody’s off limits, starting with myself.
When LaFleur was asked if he responded to Rodgers’ comments with the team, the coach responded by saying they definitely addressed “responsibility.”
Rodgers has orchestrated midseason turnovers before, and Green Bay’s next Test is on the road against arguably the NFL’s best team in the Buffalo Bills on “Sunday Night Football.” After the loss to Commanders on Sunday, Rodgers said it could have been the best thing for the team That much.
“You’re right, it’s true,” Rodgers replied when asked if it seemed plausible that the Packers could right their wrongs and make the playoffs. “I’m not worried about this team. In fact, it might be the best thing for us. This week, no one is going to give us a chance to go to Buffalo on ‘Sunday Night Football’ with a chance of winning. ‘be exposed. Shoot, that might be the best thing for us.”
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