Aaron Rodgers is having a bad 2022. His Green Bay Packers were 3-6 coming into Week 10 and in the midst of a five-game losing streak. His 89.0 passer rating is the lowest of his career, as are his 232 passing yards per game and 6.6 yards per pass attempt.
But Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys offered glimmers of hope. Rodgers led his team back from a 28-14 deficit late in the second half thanks in large part to a breakout game from rookie wide receiver Christian Watson. Watson had career bests with four catches, 107 receiving yards and three touchdowns to give the reigning back-to-back MVP a viable downfield threat and give the Packers a chance up upset former head coach Mike McCarthy at Lambeau Field.
But then, after getting the ball back in a 28-28 game with 1:38 to play and two timeouts, head coach Matt LaFleur dialed up a conservative gameplan that handed the ball off on first and second down. When third-and-1 ended with no viable options for Rodgers and a throwaway to the sideline, the future Hall of Fame quarterback wasn’t shy about his feelings.
Aaron Rodgers is tilting pic.twitter.com/rv6Yf8ZTVV
— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) November 14, 2022
LaFleur, armed with a player who’d driven 53 yards in 32 seconds to set up a game-winning field goal against these Cowboys in the 2016 NFL playoffs, opted to play it safe and prep for overtime. It was a decision that said volumes about his faith in Rodgers without a single word. And Rodgers apparently did. not. like. it.
LaFleur, to his credit, owned his role in the frustration in his postgame press conference.
Packers HC Matt LaFleur takes responsibility for the Packers' sloppy end to regulation when Aaron Rodgers wanted to be more aggressive.
"That was on me. Totally."
— Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) November 14, 2022
But if you were wondering what’s going to dominate the NFL news cycle Monday morning, it’ll likely be that and a whole bunch of Minnesota Vikings-Buffalo Bills recaps. Here’s how fans and pundits reacted in real time Sunday night.
I’m sure we won’t see that clip of Rodgers yelling at LaFleur at all tomorrow!
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) November 14, 2022
would have paid a lot of money to see mike mccarthy’s reaction on the sideline when aaron rodgers was yelling his head off at matt lafleur on the sideline after the failed 3rd-and-1
— Tej Seth (@tejfbanalytics) November 14, 2022
Aaron Rodgers going to the sideline and getting mad?
No way
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) November 14, 2022
Aaron Rodgers is angry these days my friends. Like an old man trying to send back soup at a deli.
— Chris Williams (@ChrisMWilliams) November 14, 2022
My best guess here is that LaFleur said something about how Jordan Nwora should still be getting minutes over MarJon Beauchamp, and Rodgers just wasn't having it pic.twitter.com/Sa3YIxdBdg
— Nathan Marzion (@nathanmarzion) November 14, 2022
If Rodgers is going to repeatedly tell everyone that he calls the plays in the two minute drill…he has to own how awful that was.
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) November 14, 2022
Aaron Rodgers got into it with Matt LaFleur after punting at the end of regulation 😳 pic.twitter.com/VlzjIZt1Xa
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 14, 2022
Aaron Rodgers threw it away on 3rd down and then yelled at his head coach lmao
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) November 14, 2022
McCarthy seeing Rodgers screaming at LaFleur on the sidelines pic.twitter.com/PeVR2coXMJ
— Kimberly (@kimcollelo) November 14, 2022
Aaron Rodgers is HEATED that LaFleur didn’t hand the ball off to their 247lb RB on 3rd and 1 pic.twitter.com/7cljOWHKMu
— Fratletes Pod (@FratletesPod) November 14, 2022
I don’t know what Rodgers is mad about. Looked like he could have run for the first down he wanted
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) November 14, 2022
Aaron Rodgers shows frustration towards Matt LaFleur after the third-down play call.
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/hCg0fe9wF2
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 14, 2022
