The Packers kicked off training camp this week and social media has been flooded with clips and reports from practice. The Packers are gearing up for the season, but before that, they will have three pre-season games to play. Under Matt LaFleur the Packers have been very cautious with playing their starters in the pre-season, especially Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers last took a pre-season snap in 2018, but Matt LaFleur discussed the possibility this year.
Matt LaFleur says Aaron Rodgers playing in preseason games is "up for discussion" with so many new receivers in #Packers offense. He says that discussion hasn't taken place yet, but LaFleur didn't shut the door to that possibility.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) July 28, 2022
Will Matt LaFleur Let Rodgers Play?
What makes this season different than the last three? The answer is simple, the Packers’ offense could look very different this year with plenty of new pieces at receiver. Aaron Rodgers will have plenty of time before the pre-season to develop chemistry with the young wideouts, but will it be enough? Christian Watson and Sammy Watkins are on the PUP list and Aaron Rodgers is going to need as many reps with those two as he can get. It is possible that Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers could come to the decision that he plays for a drive or two in the final game.
Obviously, there are risks to letting Rodgers play. The injury risk is there, and the Packers have had bad luck with playing starters in the pre-season before. In 2015 the Packers lost Jordy Nelson to an ACL tear and were without their number one receiver for the whole year. If LeFleur lets Rodgers play it would be hard to imagine him playing more than two drives. Rodgers doesn’t need extra reps, he’s proven that, but with so many new pieces it’s possible we see him in a pre-season game this year.
As Always
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