Aaron Rodgers or Mason Rudolph, the Chicago Bears are ready. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen doesn’t know which one he’ll see on Sunday, but his gameplan has carveouts set to stopping either. Speaking to reporters Thursday, Allen outlined the keys to handling both.
“We were able to get a little pressure on him,” Allen told reporters via the team’s website of facing Rodgers in 2021. “And so I think that’s the key. When you play Aaron Rodgers, look, he’s a hell of a quarterback. Veteran player. He’s seen it all. It’s hard to fool him. You have to be able to affect him in the pocket. And I think we were able to do that a little bit in that game.”
The New Orleans Saints, where Allen served as defensive coordinator, and Green Bay Packers opened the 2021 season. The game was moved to Jacksonville due to Hurricane Ida (reportedly, the Saints chose Florida under the belief Rodgers struggles in the state). Rodgers played one of the worst games of his career in a 38-3 blowout loss, throwing for just 133 yards, zero touchdowns, two interceptions and one sack. His 36.8 QB rating is tied for the fourth-lowest of his 21-year career.
By game’s end, Rodgers was pulled for Jordan Love.
Allen noted Rodgers’ quick release and “cerebral” nature that makes him hard to stop. The plan against Rodgers remains true today. Pressure him into leaving the pocket where his mobility isn’t nearly what it was during his prime. The Los Angeles Chargers rattled him well in Rodgers’ worst showing of the season. His internal clock runs out quicker than ever, leading him to drop his eyes and invite additional pressure.
If Rudolph fills in for Rodgers, the Bears will have a different plan.
“He’s a bigger, strong-armed quarterback,” Allen said. “I think he pushes the ball down the field pretty consistently. We’re gonna have to make sure that we can keep a roof on the coverage and stay on top of everything in particular with him in the game.”
That was evident in Rudolph’s half of action last Sunday. He took two vertical chances to WR DK Metcalf. One back shoulder fade caught but wiped out by offensive pass interference and another that seemed to be knocked down by gusty winds. Dating back to his days slinging the football around at Oklahoma State, Rudolph has never been afraid to make downfield throws. In comparison, Rodgers has focused on the short and intermediate game.
Allen is regarded as one of the NFL’s best defensive coordinators and a key hire for first-year head coach Ben Johnson, who comes with a strong offensive background. Allen has been in the NFL since 2002.
What Rodgers and Rudolph have in common is they’re veterans. Rodgers with 20x the starts but enough snaps from both for the Bears to feel prepared for either.
“There’s plenty of tape on Mason Rudolph,” Allen said. “And obviously plenty of tape on Aaron, too. We’ve spent a lot of time on it.”
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