Rodgers rues 2nd straight loss: Packers 'need to simplify' plays
Aaron Rodgers addressed the Green Bay Packers' struggles following Sunday's 27-10 loss to the New York Jets, saying his team needs to simplify its approach in order to succeed.
"The simplest plays are the best plays," the quarterback said postgame. "The smartest plays are the best plays. That's what I've always believed in."
Rodgers added: "Nobody works harder on the plan each week than (head coach Matt LaFleur). ... If you think we have the right players, then we need to simplify things. If you don't, then that's a whole other conversation."
Green Bay, which entered Week 6 as the NFL's 22nd-ranked offense in scoring, has now suffered two consecutive losses, dropping to 3-3 in 2022. It has yet to score more than 27 points in a game this campaign.
The Packers and the Jets each finished Week 6 with 278 total yards, and Green Bay outgained New York in first downs (15-14). However, the Packers missed one field goal and had a blocked punt returned for a touchdown by the Jets. Rodgers was sacked four times.
"That's about as frustrating of a game as I've ever been a part of from an offensive perspective, just trying to get something going," LaFleur said Sunday, according to Ryan Wood of USA Today.
"It's not now. It's always been like this," Rodgers said. "It's always been when we struggle, we're doing too much."
The Packers, who won 13 games in each year from 2019-20, entered the 2022 campaign with several questions at wide receiver after trading All-Pro wideout Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders in March. However, Rodgers said the loss of Adams isn't why Green Bay is struggling.
"We need (receiver) Sammy (Watkins) back," he said. "I think that’s happening here pretty soon. (Randall) Cobb, I'm guessing he'll be out for a little bit."
Watkins was placed on injured reserve Sept. 24 with a hamstring injury. Cobb injured his ankle against the Jets and will have an MRI to determine the severity of the ailment, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.