Sean Payton doesn’t think Aaron Rodgers handled the Vikings loss well
The Green Bay Packers offense struggled mightily in their Week One contest against the Minnesota Vikings. Packers rookie, Christian Watson’s first drop of the game put the offense behind. Fox TV cameras showed quarterback Aaron Rodgers visibly frustrated after the drop.
a thing I noticed right away after that Christian Watson drop was that Aaron Rodgers looked over at the Packers sideline right at Randell Cobb and gave him a look. pic.twitter.com/5i4p5Udwda
— SM Highlights (@SportsM83105469) September 12, 2022
That wasn’t the only part of the game where Rodgers got heated.
Aaron Rodgers showing some frustration on the sideline. pic.twitter.com/YXfuKilYPN
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 11, 2022
The back-to-back MVP had to deal with an injured offensive and an inexperienced wide receivers room. Fans and the media have criticized Rodgers’ play as he appeared to play more conservatively following Watson’s drop.
Former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton was one of those critics. Payton spoke with Linsday Rhodes of the “NFL Rhodes Show” podcast. He roasted Rodgers both for his poor play and his treatment of Watson during and after the loss to the Vikings. Payton mentioned to Rhodes how Rodgers addressed the media after the game:
“[Rodgers] referenced the first play of the game and the dropped pass to the rookie, and I thought, ‘c’mon’. And I like Aaron Rodgers, but I didn’t like what I saw. Yeah, and the whole pregame with the Zen stuff… I mean, honestly, it’s just like, ugh, enough. I wanna see, you know, everyone once in a while; all of us need to be checked.”
Is Aaron Rodgers’ “tough love” approach with his teammates the right one?@SeanPayton doesn’t think so.
“It drives me crazy.”
🎧#NFLRhodesShow
🍎 https://t.co/hqgHOyjn36
🟢 https://t.co/67hFtGMyi2 pic.twitter.com/HgRbhmmqlc— Lindsay Rhodes (@lindsay_rhodes) September 14, 2022
Watson is an NFL receiver now; he needs to handle criticism
Rodgers’ reactions may have seemed harsher to viewers, but Watson had better not lose confidence after those comments. If Watson can’t crack the NFL game because Rodgers gets frustrated with drops, the rookie might be too soft to play in the league.
Watson has the skills to be successful if he can learn to catch the ball. That will come sooner than later. Until then, Watson can use Rodgers’ “tough love” as motivation to get better and prove Rodgers can trust him when they get to the playoffs.