Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers easily had the worst day of any NFL team in Week 1.
The team was trounced by a final score of 38-3 against the New Orleans Saints and things got so bad Rodgers was pulled late for Jordan Love.
Seeing last year’s MVP play so poorly was a shocking sight and naturally, led to some wild potential explanations.
The craziest of all?
Some individuals on social media are of the mindset that Rodgers is purposely sabotaging the Packers in order to force a trade.
Aaron Rodgers returning to Green Bay just to sabotage their season is a tremendous conspiracy theory that I am willing to spread
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) September 12, 2021
Now we don’t want to go too deep down the rabbit hole on this one.
But the fact this even shows up on social media illustrates just how bizarre the situation is in Green Bay.
Just A Bad Game
A more logical explanation is that the Packers showed up thinking they would roll right over Jameis Winston and the Saints.
That never happened and while Rodgers was horrific going 15/28 for 133 yards and two interceptions, the defense did nothing to stop Winston.
The former No. 1 overall pick had five touchdown passes on only 14 completions.
It was an efficient day and the Packers defense was clearly lost and demoralized seeing the offense fail to make it a shootout of a game.
Bad Week 1 performances are nothing new for NFL teams.
Rodgers also didn’t play in the preseason as he was arguably more focused on the drama between himself and the organization.
Other quarterbacks around the league also didn’t play in the exhibition games, but no one had a distraction like Rodgers.
No Real Conspiracy
Rodgers is not purposely tanking the Packers’ season.
This Aaron Rodgers conspiracy theory is the greatest thing that has happened to football since they reinstituted the 2 point conversion. pic.twitter.com/BFfkA89xW9
— NFL capper (@Tonyshealthtips) September 13, 2021
That is just silly and makes no sense given the fact he returned essentially with a deal in place to be traded after the season.
His career is nearing its end and wasting a season makes no sense and only hurts his legacy in Green Bay and in the NFL in general.
It is rather a compliment to Rodgers that when he plays bad, fans come up with a conspiracy to rationalize what exactly happened.
Sometimes, stars just have bad games.
Week 6 of the 2020 season saw the Packers fall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a final of 38-10.
Rodgers went 16/35 for 160 yards and two interceptions.
And that was coming off a bye week.
These games happen and the only real conspiracy talk should come if he goes out and looks even worse against the Detroit Lions in Week 2.
If that is the case, Packers fans will be seeking any explanation as to why a season with Super Bowl aspirations is beginning in nightmare fashion.
Everyone just needs to remember the Saints are indeed a good team and the Packers had an off week.
Fans also shouldn’t forgot about how bad the defense looked in Week 1.
NEXT: Aaron Rodgers And The Packers Looked Lost In Week 1