A 1-2 start to the season is not ideal for any NFL team. But it doesn't seem to be worrying Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers too much. Rodgers had a succinct message for all of the nervous Packers fans out there.
"Five letters here just for everybody out there in Packer-land: R-E-L-A-X," Rodgers said Tuesday on his ESPN Milwaukee radio show. "Relax. We're going to be OK."
That's a comforting statement from the former MVP quarterback, given that the Packers' offense ranks just 28th in total yards through three games. Rodgers' current completion percentage of 62.7 would be the lowest mark of his career, and his two games totaling under 200 yards passing isn't helping the Packers in the standings either. Second-year rusher Eddie Lacy's slow start - only 113 yards on 36 attempts - is also an area of concern for Green Bay's offense.
Rodgers couldn't connect with receiver Jordy Nelson on a fourth-down player late in Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions. The Packers mustered just seven points and Rodgers threw for the second-lowest yards total, 162, of any game that he started and finished.
Rodgers, 30, missed seven games last season due to a broken collarbone. Green bay has won just two of five games (including playoffs) since his return in Week 17 last year. Many have speculated that his injury and new relationship with actress Olivia Munn ("Magic Mike") could be limiting his play.
"Everybody's wondering that?" Rodgers said on his show.
"Those are so idiotic it's not even worth responding to either one of those," he added.
The Packers will travel to Soldier Field to take on the division rival Chicago Bears this Sunday. The Bears (2-1) are currently ranked 16th overall against the pass and 26th against the rush. Perhaps this matchup is just what Green Bay needs to get their offense going.
