He didn't say "relax" the same way he did all those years ago, but Aaron Rodgers does not seem too concerned about playing poorly in Sunday night's 25-10 loss to the Chargers:
"If the process is right, you don't have to make any major changes or freak out," Rodgers said after Wednesday's practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "It's the nature of the league. There's going to be a stinker every now and then. Just gotta bounce back, get back to the things you do, get back in your routine and try and be better the next week."
And the reason for the poor performance?
"They've got a good defense," Rodgers said. "They clamped us down, and a couple throws I usually hit I missed. That's kind of the main reason."
Sometimes getting beat does happen. It's part of life in the NFL. Rodgers' concerns aren't shortsighted over one game. And they shouldn't be. Yes, it was bad. But, he hasn't had the four-time MVP career without learning how to navigate the bad games.
What's more concerning to Rodgers is having options to consistently rely on outside of DK Metcalf, specifically at wide receiver.
"Guys gotta get open and make plays," Rodgers said. "DK is a super-talented guy, but we haven't been able to get him the targets we want to because he's getting doubled every third down, basically."
Who can be the guys that steps up? Anybody in mind?
"I'd like to get the ball to anybody that's open," Rodgers said.
Calvin Austin III has been most relied upon to be that WR2, but his performance has been up and down. It was down this week, dropping two passes, one of which clanged of his hands and wound up in Donte Jackson's for Rodgers' second interception of the game. Roman Wilson is a third-round pick from 2024, and a lot of people in the organization have a lot of faith that he can become a consistent weapon. However, he's been more of a garbage time merchant than anything thing else this season.
The only addition that could potentially make an impact is Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who was added to the practice squad last week. Valdes-Scantling has a rapport with Rodgers from their days together in Green Bay, but he's still in the process of learning the offense. Rodgers added on Wednesday that Valdes-Scantling needs more reps with first-team offense before he can be relied upon on Sundays.
One other option that could be at least a stable option is Scotty Miller, who's making his way back from a finger injury. Miller is supposed to return to practice this week.
Before you dismiss Miller, this is a guy that's earned praise from not only Rodgers but also Tom Brady when Miller played for the Buccaneers.
"He runs fast and he catches the ball," Rodgers said of Miller. "He's an unselfish guy and he's super smart. He knows the scheme and understands where he fits in all of the progressions."
Who knows who, if any, of the internal options can become the guy who can help skew the coverage back away from Metcalf. As I wrote on Tuesday, until the WR2 issue is resolved, it will remain a sore topic of conversation.
THE ASYLUM
Rodgers challenges receivers not named Metcalf
He didn't say "relax" the same way he did all those years ago, but Aaron Rodgers does not seem too concerned about playing poorly in Sunday night's 25-10 loss to the Chargers:
"If the process is right, you don't have to make any major changes or freak out," Rodgers said after Wednesday's practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "It's the nature of the league. There's going to be a stinker every now and then. Just gotta bounce back, get back to the things you do, get back in your routine and try and be better the next week."
And the reason for the poor performance?
"They've got a good defense," Rodgers said. "They clamped us down, and a couple throws I usually hit I missed. That's kind of the main reason."
Sometimes getting beat does happen. It's part of life in the NFL. Rodgers' concerns aren't shortsighted over one game. And they shouldn't be. Yes, it was bad. But, he hasn't had the four-time MVP career without learning how to navigate the bad games.
What's more concerning to Rodgers is having options to consistently rely on outside of DK Metcalf, specifically at wide receiver.
"Guys gotta get open and make plays," Rodgers said. "DK is a super-talented guy, but we haven't been able to get him the targets we want to because he's getting doubled every third down, basically."
Who can be the guys that steps up? Anybody in mind?
"I'd like to get the ball to anybody that's open," Rodgers said.
Calvin Austin III has been most relied upon to be that WR2, but his performance has been up and down. It was down this week, dropping two passes, one of which clanged of his hands and wound up in Donte Jackson's for Rodgers' second interception of the game. Roman Wilson is a third-round pick from 2024, and a lot of people in the organization have a lot of faith that he can become a consistent weapon. However, he's been more of a garbage time merchant than anything thing else this season.
The only addition that could potentially make an impact is Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who was added to the practice squad last week. Valdes-Scantling has a rapport with Rodgers from their days together in Green Bay, but he's still in the process of learning the offense. Rodgers added on Wednesday that Valdes-Scantling needs more reps with first-team offense before he can be relied upon on Sundays.
One other option that could be at least a stable option is Scotty Miller, who's making his way back from a finger injury. Miller is supposed to return to practice this week.
Before you dismiss Miller, this is a guy that's earned praise from not only Rodgers but also Tom Brady when Miller played for the Buccaneers.
"He runs fast and he catches the ball," Rodgers said of Miller. "He's an unselfish guy and he's super smart. He knows the scheme and understands where he fits in all of the progressions."
Who knows who, if any, of the internal options can become the guy who can help skew the coverage back away from Metcalf. As I wrote on Tuesday, until the WR2 issue is resolved, it will remain a sore topic of conversation.
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