Rodgers, McVay share similar thinking on preseason

For the second consecutive preseason, Rams coach Sean McVay is keeping his starters on the sideline.

Will Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers play in Thursday’s preseason game against Oakland?

That answer will come as kickoff approaches. Regardless, Rodgers didn’t think he needed to play – even though he and the rest of the offense are in Year 1 of coach Matt LaFleur’s scheme.

“I think it’s the way we practice,” Rodgers explained. “The way that we practice, we do a number of periods where it’s an unscripted, move-the-ball type, where he’s calling the plays in, I have to get us lined up and the play given to the guys in the right manner and alignments and assignments and movement and motion. We’ve done a number of those periods. I think that’s the work that gives you confidence that this is not going to be a growing process from a play-caller to quarterback standpoint. It is what it is. The preseason, you don’t carry those wins over to the regular season. I do find it interesting that some teams get a pass this time of year. The Rams don’t play anybody and not many people talk about that fact.”

Rams coach Sean McVay did talk about his preseason plan earlier this week. Quarterback Jared Goff hasn’t played in this preseason, nor did he play in last year’s preseason. In fact, the Rams didn’t play any of their key offensive players last preseason. That team started 8-0 and got to the Super Bowl. So, while everyone knows that preseason success doesn’t equate to regular-season success, it turns out preseason playing time isn’t needed to get ready for the season.

“Not to say there’s not an appreciation for what the preseason entails and playing real football,” McVay said. “I think there is a lot of merit to that. But when you look at some of the continuity now that we have on both sides of the ball coming back, and you say, If something were to happen, is it really worth that risk in our mind? We just felt like that answer is no. That’s the approach that we’re taking. I totally understand if people don’t agree with that, but we always make decisions that are in the best interests of our team. That’s just really for this unit. Does that mean we’ll always have that luxury? I think if you have a different number of returning players, then the narrative on that is a little different.”

The narrative is different in Green Bay, of course. Last year was Year 2 under McVay while this is Year 1 for LaFleur. That’s a difference, acknowledged Rodgers, who missed last week’s game at Baltimore with back tightness and is iffy for the Raiders.

“The counter would be, ‘Well, this is a new system,” Rodgers continued. “I get it, but we’ve spent a number of practices from May and June and training camp in July and now in August running this stuff, running unscripted periods, where he has to call the play in. I feel very comfortable in the offense conceptually, philosophically, enunciating the plays, getting us in the right formation, getting the checks within the play easily figured out. I feel very comfortable with it. If we didn’t play, I’d feel great going into Week 1. If we did, I wouldn’t really be worried too much about the results. If we go down and score a touchdown, it’s not going to give me any more confidence than I already have in the scheme. If we go three-and-out, it’s not going to dampen any confidence that I have in what we’ve established so far in the training camp practices.”