Aaron Rodgers reveals reason behind his sideline argument with Matt LaFleur

On3 imageby:Chandler Vessels11/13/22

ChandlerVessels

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Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was straightforward about his frustrations with the play calling of coach Matt LaFleur in a 31-28 overtime victory against Dallas on Sunday.

Rodgers was seen in a heated exchange with LaFleur on the sidelines after Green Bay’s final drive of regulation, which ended with an incomplete pass forcing a punt. Asked postgame what he was so upset about, the quarterback gave a short, surly response

“Just every single play call, probably,” he said.

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Pressed specifically about which play calls irked him, Rodgers explained. He told reporters that he “wanted a chance to go win the game” and disagreed with LaFleur’s decision to run the ball on second down. It appears he thought he could get the team within field goal range on the drive and avoid going to overtime.

“I feel like we were like 30 yards from ending the game in regulation,” he said. “Also felt like it was two minutes so I was gonna be calling those (plays). I was in a pretty good rhythm. Obviously didn’t have a ton of attempts tonight, but I felt like I was in a pretty good rhythm. Felt like I threw the ball just about exactly where I wanted to tonight. So I wanted a chance to go win the game.”

Rodgers finished the contest 14-of-20 passing for 224 yards, three touchdowns (all of which went to Christian Watson) and no interceptions. He completed his only pass of the overtime period for 36 yards to Allen Lazard.

Rodgers later went into more detail about what was said between he and LaFleur, and also explained how he would’ve called the final drive differently.

“I think he felt bad,” Rodgers said. “I’m not exactly sure what the mindset was. I get running the ball on first down, but not second and not third. Not the third down call. I wanted to be aggressive and let’s go get ’em. They’re playing a lot of one-high man, so let’s call some man beaters and let’s complete a couple of passes and we’re gonna go win the game. Put it away. We have two timeouts, yeah I get it. They have three timeouts. We ran the ball on first down, they’re gonna call a timeout. Let’s waste 40, get it down to around a minute and let’s go win the game.”

As frustrated as Rodgers was, though, it all worked out in the end as Green Bay snapped a five game losing streak with the win. The Packers will hope to keep that positive momentum rolling with a quick turnaround next week against Tennessee at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday.