Aaron Rodgers knows he’s not on the same page as some of the team’s young receivers, but as far as he’s concerned, he doesn’t need to adjust anything on his end.
“I’ve got to play the same way,” Rodgers told reporters Wednesday. “I don’t play the way I played in 2011, [but] I’ve got to play on time and guys gotta get open, so no, I’m not gonna change the way I play. I have to realize who’s out there, who we’re throwing to and how we’re gonna actually make some hay and score some points.”
Rodgers and the rookie receivers did not get off to the most productive of starts in Sunday’s 23-7 season-opening loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Christian Watson started it off by dropping a would-be 75-yard touchdown on the Packers’ first offensive play of the game. Second-year pro Amari Rodgers did not play a single snap from scrimmage and was limited to only kick returns and special teams plays.
Green Bay was missing fifth-year wideout Allen Lazard, who was expected to be the team’s No. 1 receiver, because of an ankle injury.
Sunday’s game was also the first Rodgers has played without star receiver Davante Adams, as he was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason.
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However, he didn’t think it was an excuse for his struggles that included a fumble and an interception.
“I didn’t lose a fumble all last year and hadn’t thrown a pick in a division game in, I don’t know, a while, so that’s kind of the standard that I hold myself to, regardless of who’s out there with us,” Rodgers said. “So that’s why that’s frustrating. I don’t look at it as ‘Tae’s not here [so] I’ve got to do even more or play perfect football.’ I’ve just always held myself to a standard of taking care of the football and that wasn’t good enough on Sunday.”
Rodgers and the Packers will look to bounce back on Sunday against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field.
