The Green Bay Packers' sluggish start to the season continued with a dismal 27-10 defeat to a resurgent New York Jets at Lambeau Field on Sunday, and questions are being asked about star quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The Packers' misfiring offence endured another poor afternoon, mustering just 10 points against the Jets (4-2), falling to 3-3 on the season. The Packers have taken just one win from an inviting three-game stretch against a banged-up New England Patriots, the New York Giants and 'Gang Green', slumping to second spot in the NFC North.
And speaking on the Bill Simmons podcast, NFL expert 'Cousin' Sal Iacono questioned whether Rodgers cares about the situation the Packers are currently in. The four-time MVP, 38, is a lock to be a first-ballot hall-of-famer when he does call time on a glittering career, but he has always been pretty laid back in his approach.
But amid a tough time for coach Matt LaFleur and his squad, Iacono has questioned whether Rodgers' heart is really in it anymore, believing the one-time Super Bowl champ should be more fired up about successive 'embarrassing defeats'. He pointed to Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Tom Brady – who like Rodgers has steered a sputtering offence so far – and his sideline rage during their upset loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on Sunday.
"Rodgers – does he care? I don't know if he cares," 'Cousin Sal' said on The Bill Simmons Podcast. "I don't think he cares. That's obviously the thing here, that he doesn't have pass catchers he can rely on. But he's not screaming at his offensive line like Brady is.
"He's just like 'oh well, we can't score in London, we can't score at Lambeau, we're losing to the Giants, we're losing to the Jets, these are all very embarrassing things'. But it doesn't seem to matter to him. Why is he so mellow?"
Rodgers is the reigning MVP but a shock home exit in the divisional round of the play-offs at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers in January fuelled speculation that he could request a trade away from Wisconsin or retire, but two months later he committed his future to the franchise with a three-year extension.
A trio of wins over the Chicago Bears, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New England Patriots put the Pack back on track after a comprehensive defeat to the Minnesota Vikings in the season opener. But woes have emerged on offence and the off-season departure of Devante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders is taking its toll, scoring 14 points or less in three of their six games this season.
Rodgers and the Packers will hope to bounce back at the 2-4 Washington Commanders next weekend before a daunting Sunday Night Football clash with the Super Bowl favourite Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park on October 30.
