Aaron Rodgers: Packers Offense Has 'A Lot of Room to Grow' Ahead of Bears Opener

With a new head coach and system for the first time in his career as a starter, Aaron Rodgers enters the 2019 season with all eyes on his offense.

The seven-time Pro Bowler wants everyone to know the transition will be a process.

"I think everybody needs to understand this is going to be the first iteration of our offense, and because it's a new scheme and there are new pieces, this is going to grow from this point," Rodgers told reporters Sunday.

"I'm excited about the stuff we have in and the stuff we've been working on in camp. There's going to be even more. I think that's the exciting part. I like the foundational start for this offense. I think it could be tough to stop because of the stress it puts on defense with their eye control and pattern-reading and reading the alignments. But we have a lot of room to grow from what we put on the field on Thursday."

The Packers hired Matt LaFleur to replace Mike McCarthy this offseason. McCarthy was the Packers' head coach and ran their offense for Rodgers' first 11 seasons as an NFL starter. 

LaFleur spent two seasons as an offensive coordinator, with the Los Angeles Rams in 2017 and Tennessee Titans in 2018. His offense brings elements of Sean McVay's to the table, particularly with the extensive use of play action and one-back sets. 

Rodgers added: 

"We're throwing new things at them with personnel groupings and motions and alignments and movement and adjustments that they haven't seen from us. So I'm excited for the opportunity. I'm obviously really hopeful that we're going to go out and play really well, but I do really feel like this is just the beginning for this offense and there will be a lot of room to grow regardless of our performance on Thursday. Which, for myself and our squad, I expect us to play really well. But I think there's going to be a lot of room for growth within the scheme as we go on in the season."

Rodgers threw for 4,442 yards and 25 touchdowns against two interceptions last season but saw his completion percentage drop to 62.3, his second-lowest number as a starter. His touchdown percentage (4.2) was his lowest as a starter, as was his QBR (56.8). It was clear to anyone watching the Packers last season that the team desperately needed a jolt of new energy.

Green Bay is betting on LaFleur's offense to be that necessary piece and Rodgers to return to MVP form. Thursday's game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field will be the first glimpse at whether those expectations will ring true.