The Packers receivers struggled mightily against the Commanders, leading to just 194 passing yards by Aaron Rodgers. What can be done to help?
The Packers offense hit a new low in their 23-21 defeat at the hands of the Washington Commanders, finishing with just 217 total yards. The receivers in particular had a dreadful game, with a combined 11 catches for just 109 yards on 19 targets. Running back Aaron Jones was their most effective pass catcher with nine receptions for 53 yards on 11 targets. He also scored their only two offensive touchdowns. Packers receivers struggling is nothing new this season, but the pressure to perform is getting higher with each loss.
Packers Receivers are killing the offense
If the Packers offense is going to right the ship, it doesn’t seem likely to happen with this current group of pass catchers. Rookies Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson are clearly not ready for prominent roles. Randall Cobb and Sammy Watkins don’t seem to have a lot left in the tank. For the most part, Allen Lazard has been fine, but he can’t be the focal point of a good passing game. Packers receivers simply can’t get it done right now, and Aaron Rodgers level of play is suffering for it.
Rodgers isn’t blameless in this offense’s disastrous start to the season, but Packers receivers have given him no reason to trust them to make plays for him. The best chance the offense has with how things stand is to run things through Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon, but it’s hard to do so when they are trailing like they have the past few games. They had just 12 rushing attempts all game, a season-low. I believe the only way things improve is to seek outside help.
What can the Packers do to help the offense?
The Packers front office has been reluctant to make big splashes via trade for a long time now, but that must change. These next few seasons while Rodgers is under contract must be treated like a Super Bowl window. That means being willing to be aggressive to get players who you believe can make a difference. Doubs and Watson could very well be great in the near future, but right now they aren’t the answer. The Packers receivers need a big addition to help take the pressure off, and many names are already being linked to Green Bay.
I hesitate to say that a trade will definitely happen. Year’s worth of precedent says otherwise. But if starting 3-4 and having one of the worst offenses in the NFL doesn’t force them to make a move, what will? I guess we will all have to wait and find out.
Follow me on Twitter at @ShayneKubas and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
