Stats Show Aaron Rodgers and Marquez Valdes-Scantling Must Develop Better Connection for WR to Break Out

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling had an incredibly underwhelming 2019. He had a worse catch percentage, fewer receptions and yards than he did in his rookie season. While MVS definitely has plenty to improve on, his poor numbers may not be entirely his fault.

Valdes-Scantling and Aaron Rodgers clearly are not on the same page. Rodgers targeted the WR only 56 times last year compared to 73 during MVS's rookie season, and several of those passes didn't look like they were coming from a former Super Bowl MVP.

While a true star receiver might have hauled in some of those passes, there's clearly a lack of connection between Rodgers and Valdes-Scantling. It will be pretty hard for his receiving numbers to improve this season if his quarterback can't hit him in the hands.

The Packers have indicated that they want MVS to play a bigger role in their offensive scheme this year. The WR has excellent deep-reaching speed, and Green Bay didn't draft any new players that could threaten his position in the lineup. They need Valdes-Scantling running the field, so he and Rodgers need to get it together.

COVID-19 has kept the pair from working on their on-field relationship, but hopefully they've taken advantage of this time to connect off the field. Neither one of them is going to have a good year if they don't get on the same wavelength by the time Week 1 rolls around.