Frustrated Aaron Rodgers Irked By the Play of His Young Packers Receivers: ‘Simple Plays We’re Messing Up’

Aaron Rodgers is a perfectionist, and it appears he wants his young targets to follow suit.

The veteran Green Bay Packers quarterback had some harsh words for his wide receivers Tuesday, giving them a dose of reality when it comes to life in the NFL. With just two preseason games left on the slate, Rodgers got real with his teammates. He realizes there’s talent within the group, but he’s been unhappy with the execution.

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers adjusting to life without Davante Adams

Rodgers is forced to go into the 2022 season without his top target from the last few seasons. The Packers traded All-Pro receiver Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders in the offseason, leaving the team without a true No. 1 target.

Rodgers has overcome this situation before, and he’ll likely do it again. The four-time MVP reached a comfort level with Jordy Nelson before he was released. Then he found a rapport with Adams.

Adams was arguably the best receiver in the NFL the last two seasons, but how much of that was because he caught passes from one of the best to ever play quarterback in the NFL?

Like Adams did when Nelson departed, Allen Lazard will take over as Rodgers’ top target. With Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Chiefs) gone, Lazard becomes the go-to guy. Lazard enters his fifth season with the Packers but has never had more than 40 receptions in a season. Last year, he had career-highs in catches (40) and touchdowns (8).

Rodgers gets real with his young receivers

After a less-than-stellar practice Tuesday, Rodgers had some choice words for his young pass-catchers, whether they’re wide receivers or tight ends. He was miffed at the drops and some pre-snap miscues.

“It’s coming up,” Rodgers said after practice, talking about the start of the regular season, per The New York Post. “Yeah, it’s coming up. It really is. We’re going to play our best guys when the season starts. And whoever those guys are, those guys are going to get the reps.

“It’s the guys I trust the most and the guys the coaches trust the most. A lot of it is just the simple responsibility in the offense. Way before body positioning and movement and throw, and all that stuff, are you in the right spot at the right time? Are you running the right route?

Rodgers said many of the mistakes were mental.

“A lot of mental errors, a lot of pre-snap penalties,” he said. “Kind of been the theme of camp. Simple, simple plays we’re messing up.”

Rodgers made it clear that time is running out. He said it’s time for the young guys to step up or step aside.

“You keep dropping the ball, you’re not going to be out there,” he said. “It’s going to be the most reliable guys that are out there. The preparation and the job responsibility is most important.”

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