Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw 25 touchdown passes and just two interceptions during the 2019 season, but the two-time MVP quarterback still faced criticism from many. And to pile on, the Packers opted to trade up and select Rodgers’ potential future replacement in Jordan Love during the 2020 NFL draft.
While fans and experts are busy speculating about Rodgers’ future in Green Bay, the 36-year-old quarterback has been focused on self-improvement this offseason.
On Wednesday, Rodgers told reporters that he has been getting better by watching his old film.
“Just taking a critical look at my play the last few years, and then going back to some previous years about when I felt like I was playing really, really well,” Rodgers said. “What was I doing slightly different then what I have been doing the last five years? I picked up on some things and I tried to start incorporating them into my daily routine. You pair that with a positive attitude and a comfort in the offense, I think it’s not surprising how the camp has gone.”
According to reporters at training camp practices, Rodgers has been razor-sharp for much of training camp.
After the Packers selected Love, Rodgers openly admitted that he wasn’t thrilled with the pick. Many expected the quarterback to hold some animosity to the organization, maybe even some of his teammates. But that has not been the case in camp so far.
“I came in excited to see the guys, excited to build relationships with them and get to know them. I have a lot of close friends on this squad in ‘Big Dog’ and Tim (Boyle). I always enjoy looking forward to seeing the guys and catching up and seeing how they’re doing,” Rodgers said.
Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has provided multiple challenges, Rodgers came into training camp sharp and ready to make plays, and he’s seeing improvement in significant areas.
“I feel a lot more comfortable this year than last year. I think a lot of it is footwork, just being able to progress through my reads quicker. I think it has allowed me to play on time and be a little more accurate. I feel like I have had a pretty accurate training camp. Accuracy comes from the timing, rhythm and balance. But it also comes from timing your drops with the correct progressions. And then I feel really good about the progressions. It’s been easier to throw the ball on time and accurately. That has been the biggest step for me this camp.”
Last season, Rodgers completed only 62.0 percent of his passes.
Because of COVID-19, the NFL decided to proceed without preseason games in 2020. Rodgers believes that it has had a huge impact.
“I think this camp has been so different because of the lack of preseason games. It’s changed the schedule of practice. Obviously going through a preseason where you start to play a little in games two or three, and you really start to see what you have got from a playmaking standpoint in those games. I have said many times that the practices are as important – if not more important – than the games. But the games do show you that little extra one or two guys that jump out.”
If Rodgers is able to find his old mojo in his second year in Matt LaFleur’s system, the Packers offense will be dangerous, even if they don’t have the best group of receivers in the league.
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