Aaron Rodgers Being a Realist Shouldn’t Be Criticized
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers likes to speak his truth. He is a guy that is not afraid to say what he wants about certain issues. These issues could be what’s going in the world, or sports-related issues. People think Rodgers is a prick, but in reality, he is a guy that speaks his mind. Most athletes, especially superstars, don’t do that. Kyle Brandt of the NFL Network and The Ringer had Rodgers on his new podcast, and the preview went out yesterday. Rodgers was asked about what the Packers would do with him and Jordan Love. The Packers quarterback believes the team would move on from him. Knowing football’s history and Packers’ history, this is likely accurate. Some fans will jump down Rodgers’ throat for this commentary, but it is truly honest stuff from the quarterback.
Anything that Rodgers does gets blown up into a big deal. It reminds me of the line from an old Eminem song where he complains about not being able to take a shit. That’s how I feel people treat every piece of commentary from Rodgers. This is not a quarterback that is not unhappy. Or a quarterback who thinks the team is out to get him. Rather, he is giving his honest opinion on what the Packers will likely do with their quarterbacks.
Packers fans should consider themselves lucky. Think about Patriots’ fans for a minute. Tom Brady, longtime Patriots quarterback, never indicated that the writing was on the wall in New England. Certain things popped up here or there, but most Patriots fans were convinced that he would stay as a member of the team. Much of that was due to Brady not saying much to the media and leaving only nonverbal bread crumbs. Rodgers isn’t going to do that which helps with the transition.
I get Rodgers hoping for a wide receiver too. We all wanted one. I’ve said this a few times this offseason. Green Bay wanted a guy like Justin Jefferson or Brandon Ayiuk, and they were gone. Green Bay did not have many guys left with first-round grades hence they went after Jordan Love. Packers ran out of options, and with the NFL Draft, it is not the next man up mentality.
I’ll be curious to know if Rodgers’ answer changes if he goes off for an MVP-like season and a Super Bowl appearance.
Charlie.