Aaron Rodgers needs to trust his other options
Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson fueled the Green Bay Packers passing attack last week in a victory over the New York Jets.
This offseason Jordy Nelson signed a 4-year, $39 million extension and Aaron Rodgers isn’t being shy about proving his worth.
This offseason Jordy Nelson signed a 4-year, $39 million extension and Aaron Rodgers isn’t being shy about proving his worth.
So far Nelson ranks first in the NFL in both yards (292) and targets (30). Nelson has twice as many targets as the second leading receiver for the Packers, Randall Cobb (15).
While an 80-yard connection between Rodgers and Nelson put the Packers ahead for good last week, is the offense being limited?
Against the Jets, the Packers all but abandoned the running game and focused on the passing game.
On more than one occasion, Rodgers left receivers run open while focusing his attention on Nelson. These plays either resulted in a throw-away, a forced pass, or a sack.
On a few of those plays the guy left open was Packers’ rookie, Davante Adams. On back-to-back routes, Adams was wide open downfield but Rodgers failed to locate the talented receiver. Adams did notch, however, his first catch while also being second on the team in targets (7).
The Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson connection is the best in the NFL right now.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph
Another young receiver that has all but disappeared is Jarrett Boykin. Boykin was thrown to the wolves in the opener against the Seahawks posing as a distraction to Richard Sherman. Boykin fared a little bit better against the Jets but still only managed one reception. A far cry from what many expected out of Boykin this season.
Andrew Quarless is the lone tight end to have a ball thrown his way. So far Quarless has 4 catches on 6 targets. The opportunity is there for a tight end to step up and take control but so far Rodgers hasn’t found one that is worthy of getting more looks.
This leaves Randall Cobb. Like Jordy Nelson, Cobb came into the 2014 season on his contract year. So far Cobb has 11 catches on 15 targets. At this point he has shown that he is the go-to-guy in the red zone and has three touchdowns to warrant that statement.
What Cobb has made up for in the red zone, he has lacked in the slot thus far. Many thought that Cobb would push the 100 catch mark this season. Will that happen? We will have to wait and see.
So how much does Rodgers actually miss James Jones and Jermichael Finley?
Before his injury, Finley saw 34 targets in just 6 games. He was a safety valve that the Packers sorely missed going on during the season. Finley was notorious for dropping passes here and there, but his ability to stretch the field is being sorely missed right now.
James Jones was also a pivotal piece of the Packers puzzle.
When you have a starting caliber receiver as your third best in the rotation, usually that pays off in the long run. Jones always filled in whenever Nelson or Cobb missed any time and the offense didn’t skip a beat.
After spending 7 seasons in Green Bay, it’s hard for a younger guy to replace that receiver/quarterback relationship.
It’s probably too soon to assume that Nelson will keep up this pace but Nelson is on pace for 240 targets and 144 catches, which would be an NFL record.
One thing is for certain, the Packers will have to rely on other options as the season goes on. As great as Nelson is playing, teams will adjust to slow Nelson down so other players will have to step up to relieve some of the pressure off of him.