With the departure of Davante Adams for Las Vegas, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are attempting to bring a group of mostly inexperienced wide receivers up to the speed expected of a title-contending team.
Naturally, it hasn’t always been so smooth, and Rodgers finally hit somewhat of a breaking point Tuesday, deciding to make his frustrations with drops and inconsistencies public.
“The young guys, especially young receivers, we’ve got to be way more consistent,” Rodgers said. “A lot of drops, a lot of bad route decisions, running the wrong route. We’ve got to get better in that area.”
Aaron Rodgers shares his thoughts on how the young Packers WRs have been performing in camp 😬
🎥: @CBSSportsHQ | @KenIngalls pic.twitter.com/pEQ9TLO1UR
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) August 17, 2022
However, as reported by ESPN Packers writer Rob Demovsky, Rodgers’ ire wasn’t directed at the most veteran members of the team’s receiving corp, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb or Sammy Watkins. In fact, Lazard was one of the veterans who spoke in a meeting with the group after Rodgers’ critiques. And the QB himself has sung the praises of Lazard this summer.
“I really think Allen is ready to make a jump and be a No. 1 receiver,” Rodgers said early in camp.
The struggles of other receivers only increases the amount Rodgers will trust Lazard in big spots. And if Rodgers trusts Lazards in that role, so should fantasy football managers. I already explained why I believe Lazard is a fantasy sleeper at the receiver position, so knowing there’s potentially a growing separation between himself and Green Bay’s other receivers only strengthens my opinion. He’ll go into the season as the top option.
However, it’s not like Green Bay is short on options for secondary receivers. By many accounts, fourth-round pick Romeo Doubs has been solid, and second-round pick Christian Watson appears to be nearing a return from injury. But outside of Watkins and Cobb, none of the other receivers have more than three years experience. That Rodgers is lighting into the group now only increases the chances of them being ready for the start of the season and taking defensive attention off the top option, Lazard.
And apparently, it’s already working. The young receivers bounced back for a good day Wednesday.
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