Actually, there appears to be only one question.
Thirteen games into the eighteenth season for Aaron Rodgers, it seems the question everyone inside and outside of Lambeau Field is asking, “will there be a 19th for #12?”
Following the 28-19 victory over the Chicago Bears Sunday, which lifted the Packers to 5-8 at their long awaited bye week, Rodgers, who played with a broken thumb for eight week, and sore ribs for a second, may have raised that question himself. He was asked if the electrifying emergence of rookie wide receiver Christian Watson and the early season promise of fellow draft choice Romeo Doubs might influence his thinking about returning in 2023 if not fulfilling the last two years of his very lucrative contract. It was at the end of his answer that raised more than a few eyebrows.
The players have all scattered to parts unknown with the week off but both Head Coach Matt LaFleur and General Manager Brian Gutekunst, for the first time since training camp, met reporters at the Lambeau Field auditorium on Monday and they both knew what was coming.
LaFleur was asked straight out, if Aaron Rodgers wants to come back, will you take him back?
Spoken like a true coach. But it’s not up to the Head Coach to decide if the four time NFL Most Valuable Player returns. That falls under the purview of the General Manager and likely the President and CEO, Mark Murphy.
Gutekunst tried to deflect any questions that he considered “off-season” topics but like LaFleur, didn’t hesitate to say we want him back which led to a followup about that “there has to be mutual interest” line Rodgers uttered Sunday in Chicago.
If Rodgers’ ribs and thumb heal up more before the team returns on Monday, December 19, hosting the Los Angeles Rams at Lambeau Field, Gutekunst is confident he’ll remain under center and continue to play. Even if the Packers get eliminated from the post-season, Gutekunst said the team isn’t going to look at young players, Jordan Love included, while playing out the string. They’re going to approach all four remaining contests as games that need to be won and even a less than fully healthy Rodgers will give them their best chance. Gutekunst is happy with Jordan Love’s progress over his three years in the system, especially in the last year with a number of practice reps with the starters while Rodgers was away in the off-season. His spot work against Philadelphia reinforced the GM’s belief that they have seen enough of Jordan to feel good about his immediate and long term future and as of now, he’s inclined to exercise the more expensive fifth year option on his rookie contract next spring, but that’s another off-season issue.
Gutekunst expressed disappointment at the team’s 5-8 record but every season takes on it’s own life and 2022 has taken a host of turns that failed to meet the pre-season expectations for a team coming off three straight, 13 victory campaigns. The slow return of key offensive linemen from off season surgeries, the injuries to all five of their top receivers, not to mention the quarterback, slowed the progression of the unit but of late, seems to be coming to life. The defense has had a variety of issues that has drawn extreme criticism of defensive coordinator Joe Barry. He said that side of the ball has to “come together as a team, and that takes sacrifice”. There are four important games left to see if that takes place. Any decisions of staff changes are strictly up to LaFleur.
The Head Coach is also giving his staff the week off. They won’t be completely off the hook however. The pandemic year allowed the coaches to still communicate via zoom sessions and each staff member has a “to do” list for the traditional self-scout that takes place during the bye. LaFleur said offensively, they want to refine ways to get the football into the hands of playmakers, particularly Watson who has produced eight touchdowns over his last four games displaying his pass catching improvement and un-coachable speed once it’s in his hands. The return of Doubs will give Rodgers and the staff four games to see the young pair together after they’ve played only a combined 52 snaps in tandem.
Running Back Aaron Jones suffered a shin injury against Chicago and tried to work his way back onto the field. LaFleur doesn’t believe the injury is serious and he should recover over the two weeks away but he is mindful on the toll his star back’s body has taken recently. There is no timetable on Bakhtiari’s return after having his appendix removed last Friday. LaFleur feels badly for the veteran All-Pro who fought through 19 months of knee surgery rehabilitations to get back out there and according to LaFleur, “was playing some really good ball”. Rookie Zach Tom stepped in at left tackle and the offensive line fared well against the Bears.
The defensive staff’s priority is on eliminating the big play. Chicago put up a season high 409 yards on the Green Bay defense, which has slumped to 19th overall, 30th in rushing yards allowed with increasing cries from fans to fire Barry. Over half of Chicago’s total offense came on just five plays, from Justin Fields’ 55 yard touchdown run to his 56 yard bomb to Equanimeous St. Brown. This after Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts produced several explosive plays with his legs and feet a week ago.
It’s been a three month grind to get here, no doubt. While the big bye question may have to wait for another month, many more should get some answers when the team returns next week for the four game stretch run.
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