The Key to Aaron Rodgers’ Success Under Matt LaFleur
The Green Bay Packers are off to an impressive start to the 2020 season, holding one of the league’s best records. Green Bay has looked every bit the part of an offensive juggernaut through the first five weeks. That has seen star quarterback Aaron Rodgers excel in the offense under second-year head coach Matt LaFleur. All that may come to be as a byproduct of a singular factor in the situation.
Packers are off to a tremendous start in 2020
The Packers have steamrolled through their first four games of the 2020 season.
It has seen their offense lead the charge as one of the most productive units in the league. Green Bay is currently second in total yards per game (445.5), third in passing yards per contest (294.8), fifth in rushing yards per game (150.8), and first in scoring (38.0).
Aaron Rodgers has notably excelled as he has put forth an MVP-caliber start to the year. Rodgers is currently tied for third with 13 touchdown passes along with 1,214 passing yards on a 70.5% completion rate and holds a 128.4 passer rating. He is the only starting quarterback without an interception thrown this season and is on pace for career highs with 52 touchdown passes and 4,856 passing yards.
Rodgers has continued to find success throwing the ball despite not having Pro Bowler Davante Adams the last couple of weeks because of a hamstring issue. That also includes wide receiver Allen Lazard out due to injury for an extended period. With that in mind, the offense success could be due to a particular factor.
Matt LaFleur gives Aaron Rodgers free reins of the offense
It has been a continued upward trend for the Packers under second-year head coach Matt LaFleur. That has seen Rodgers produce up to the standards that he has set for himself throughout his career.
He has shown greater comfort in the offensive game plan, which could be due to his control over play calls. During a recent interview on Pass It Down podcast, LaFleur voiced that Rodgers has “free rein” over the play call if he believes another option is better. (H/T NFL.com)
“He definitely has free rein,” LaFleur said. “So, if he sees something and can get us out of a bad play, yeah, he will get us out of a bad play. And he’s done a great job of it.”
That’s not to say that Rodgers is changing plays frequently, but it allows him to shift through to what works best situationally. It’s a trust factor that LaFleur has with his star quarterback that has helped push the offense forward another notch.
It speaks to the level of the cohesiveness that Rodgers and LaFleur have with the offensive game plan. That is another factor that could guide the Packers forward into potentially making a run to the Super Bowl this season.
Packers eyeing contending for the Super Bowl
Beyond the Packers blazing start to begin the season, they look every bit the part of a Super Bowl-contending team.
Green Bay’s offense continues to hum along with Aaron Rodgers heading their passing game and Aaron Jones putting forth another Pro Bowl-caliber campaign running the ball. The Packers will have their challenges ahead against the Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, and San Francisco 49ers.
Much of the 2020 season remains, but the Packers are rolling their way forward in a promising fashion that could see a Super Bowl push ahead.
