The Green Bay Packers Are Failing Aaron Rodgers

Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Packers 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Once again something seems off with the Green Bay Packers offense, and their star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. So what is the problem?

This shouldn’t be happening. Rodgers remains in his physical prime. While his numbers are still good they continue to come in below the expectations set for him by previous years. His trademark accuracy has slipped somewhat. Ball security is worse than its ever bee (three fumbles in Minnesota). How did a man that could seemingly do no wrong four or five years ago regress ever so slightly from the very best to bordering on elite and very good?

Looking over things it’s fair to level much of the criticism on the Packers front office and coaching staff. Ted Thompson remains a widely respected GM for good reasons but his handling of the Packers offensive line in recent years deserves some criticism. From a unit that allowed just 28 sacks in 2014, for it to deteriorate so fast is hard to understand Rodgers was dropped 46 times last season and has already gone down six times in two games. The puzzling move to cut Pro Bowl guard Josh Sitton didn’t help matters.

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Then there is head coach Mike McCarthy. He started the problems when he gave up play calling responsibilities last season, a move he realized was a big mistake. Then he’s compounded problems by not trying to run the ball more consistently. Thus far Green Bay has thrown 70 passes to 48 rushing attempts. Not only that but they refuse to feed Eddie Lacy, insisting on giving veteran James Starks plenty of looks. Often in key situations too.

Rodgers was clearly frustrated by the ongoing questions of his performance as well as that of the offense.

"“We knew when we came in here — and I knew I had this on Wednesday — I knew what the line of questioning was going to be. You guys got a job to do. You scrutinize, you analyze and you make opinions based on how you feel a team is progressing or not progressing or playing. And we appreciate that. But inside, we don’t think the same way that you guys think.”"

So far the Packers have shown in years past that they can eventually get over such problems to make the playoffs. They’ve at least earned that benefit of the doubt. Still it’s not unfair to at least question where this team is going. Even as they are one of the youngest rosters in the NFL, they continue to show signs of slow regression. This isn’t the powerhouse of five years ago. After all they did just get beat by a Vikings team that lost Adrian Peterson during the game and fielded a quarterback on two weeks of practice since arriving via trade.

That never happens a few years ago. So while Green Bay remains in the thick of the NFC playoff hunt, it’s fair to ask whether they’ve done the best job in taking advantage of their window with another Hall of Fame quarterback under center.

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