The Green Bay Packers have been looking for consistency from their offense for the entirety of the 2019 NFL season.
While this is to be expected with a new play caller at the controls, it’s still concerning that they haven’t been able to figure things out 13 games into the season.
The Packers’ offensive struggles can be traced back to a few different causes. It’s partly a scheme issue and partly a personnel issue. There’s blame to go around, as there usually is when an entire unit is struggling.
Fortunately for the Packers, two of the three primary issues are fixable this season.
Aaron Rodgers’ bad habits
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is undoubtedly one of the top players in the NFL at his position and he’s a big reason for the Packers’ success this year, but it would be ignorant to dismiss his role in the team’s recent offensive struggles.
The narrative of Rodgers not always taking what the defense gives him and holding onto the ball too long is tired, but it’s true. His preference for the explosive, game-changing play over guaranteed yards results in a very feast-or-famine brand of offense.
Instead of consistently playing in structure, taking what the defense gives him and getting the ball out on time, Rodgers passes up open underneath reads multiple times per game in search of a big play – sometimes only to throw the ball away or take an awful, drive-killing sack. This is especially problematic on early downs because it can put the team in tough third-and-long conversion situations.
In recent years, Rodgers has also seemingly missed more routine throws than he did at the height of his career. Unnecessary off-balance throws are usually the cause of this, and they’ve become been a bit too common for the two-time NFL MVP over the last few years.
Both issues are fixable seeing as they’re about mentality and technique rather than ability. The real question is: will Rodgers adapt his style of play?
Matt LaFleur’s personnel usage
The biggest criticism of Matt LaFleur’s personnel usage has to be the workload split of running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. Williams has proven himself to be a capable backup this season, without a doubt, but Jones is a player that’s shown game-changing ability as a runner and receiver.
A player like that deserves a heavier workload – more like a 75/25 or 70/30 split than a 60/40 or 50/50 split. His 13.5 carries per game are too few for a star running back, and Jones’ receiving skill set hasn’t always been taken advantage of, although to his credit, LaFleur has increased the starting running back’s usage as a receiver in each of the last two games.
The Packers have given wide receivers Geronimo Allison and Marquez Valdes-Scantling every opportunity to seize starting jobs, but neither player has done much with those opportunities. It might be time for Jake Kumerow to get more looks as the third receiver. The same goes for Robert Tonyan at tight end.
Depth of receiving personnel
Undrafted free agent Allen Lazard has stepped up to become the de facto No. 2 receiver for Rodgers, but the depth behind him and Davante Adams is still incredibly uninspiring. Over the last six games, Valdes-Scantling has caught just two passes for 11 yards. Over the same stretch of the season, Kumerow has managed just four catches for 61 yards and Allison has accumulated 12 catches for a mere 74 yards.
Jimmy Graham and the backup tight ends haven’t contributed much to the passing game either, and none of the aforementioned players have a receiving touchdown in the last six weeks. That will probably need to change if the Packers are going to make a deep playoff run this season.