Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers doesn’t believe having a new head coach should change expectations for his team during the 2019 season.
In fact, Rodgers has altogether dismissed the idea of a “grace period” under Matt LaFleur on more than one occasion since returning to Green Bay to start the offseason workout program.
“This is Titletown. We should expect us to bounce back. I expect to, our team expects to. I’m excited about the additions that we’ve made,” Rodgers told ESPN Milwaukee. “There’s going to be no excuses this year. We don’t need a grace period. We all expect to get something rolling. And hopefully we can get that rolling and come together as a team and do something great.”
The Packers hired LaFleur in January to replace Mike McCarthy, who had been the head coach in Green Bay since 2006.
Rodgers reiterated his thoughts on expectations in 2019 during Wednesday’s player availability at Lambeau Field, noting the presence of veterans at key spots on offense and new additions on defense.
“I think we’re in a good spot. I think there isn’t a grace period,” Rodgers said, via Bill Huber of Packer Report. “This isn’t like other transitions where you maybe give a pass for the first year or two as you get acclimated to the system. We have a veteran quarterback, veteran offensive linemen, we signed some big free agents for us, especially three on defense. There’s an expectation living and playing here that you’re going to compete for championships and I think we all expect to do that.”
The Packers have Rodgers, a two-time NFL MVP and four returning starters along the offensive line and newcomer Billy Turner, plus Davante Adams, a two-time Pro Bowl receiver, playmaking running back Aaron Jones and veteran tight end Jimmy Graham. Add in a “creative” new scheme being put in place by LaFleur and a defense that added Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Adrian Amos in free agency, and Rodgers believes the Packers have the right ingredients to relight the winning fire in Green Bay in 2019.
“There’s 32 teams that think they can win it, we’re one of them,” Rodgers said. “But I think we all know there’s only 8-10 every year who really have something special, and I hope we’re one of those 8-10 come September.”
