With the Green Bay Packers unable to find the answers to their struggles on offense, head coach Mike McCarthy believes his two-time MVP quarterback is overcompensating.
“If Aaron’s really guilty of anything, he’s trying to do too much,” McCarthy said, via Rob Demovsky of ESPN. “And that’s something that I think you would expect from your leader and a great quarterback that’s done it at such a high level.”
The Packers are averaging just 18.3 points per game over the last three games, all Green Bay losses. Rodgers and his offense were only able to manage 16 against the Detroit Lions last Sunday.
Quarterbacks often shoulder much of the blame when a team struggles to score. Rodgers has thrown six touchdowns with just one interception over the three losses, but much of the production has come with Green Bay behind in the second half. It’s been too little, too late. In Carolina, Rodgers threw an interception with the Packers down eight points and facing a 4th-and-goal situation. Last Sunday, he couldn’t connected with Davante Adams on a two-point play.
Green Bay is now 11th in the NFL in points per game and 22nd in passing yards.
“On offense, frankly, we’re kind of chasing the game,” McCarthy said. “We’re chasing the game, and you don’t chase the game of football. You let the game come to you, and you attack it, and you take advantage of the opportunities that are presented. We’ve got to quit chasing our tail.”
Rodgers appears to have lost trust in those around him. An offensive line that brought back all five starters from last season hasn’t protected well, a run game featuring Eddie Lacy and James Starks has been stuck in neutral and Rodgers’ receivers minus Jordy Nelson have had problems getting open against man coverage.
The result has been a MVP quarterback looking quite mortal. Rodgers has been uncharacteristically jumpy in the pocket, and he’s often felt the need to buy extra time for his receivers to find separation. Both could be viewed as trust issues, a theory that aligns with McCarthy’s opinion about Rodgers trying to do too much on his own.
The Packers have the most talented quarterback in the game leading an offense with players who have gotten it done in the past. Green Bay’s funk has roots in many areas, but Rodgers must be considered at or near the epicenter. He’s lost some level of trust in the other 10 players on the field with him. And he’s overcompensating to make up for it.