Aaron Rodgers goes in-depth on what kept him away from the Packers
For months the entire sports world was clamoring for Aaron Rodgers to say something -- anything -- about his issues with the Green Bay Packers. And for months, the future Hall of Fame quarterback stayed silent. That ended Wednesday afternoon as Rodgers went into detail what kept him away from the team for the offseason and led many to believe he would not play for the Packers again.
"Yeah, that's a loaded question," Rodgers said when asked about his reasons before diving into an 854-word answer.
The next 5 minutes and 42 seconds were full of information but it can largely be boiled down to four points.
First, Rodgers made it clear during conversations with the Packers right after their season ended with a loss to Tampa Bay in the NFC title game that he wanted a bigger voice in decisions that impact the way he does his job, even pointing back to the hiring of Matt LaFleur as coach in 2018, which he had no role in.
"It's decisions like that, that have happened over and over and over again, that make me realize that the organization looks at me and my job is just to play," Rodgers said following the first practice of training camp. "In my opinion, based on what I've accomplished in this league, the way I care about my teammates, the way I show up in the locker room, the way I lead, the way I conduct myself in the community, should entitle myself to a little bit more input. The rules are the same for most people, but every now and then there's some outliers. Guys who have been an organization for 17 years and won a few MVPs, where they can be in conversations at a different higher level. I'm not asking for anything that other other great quarterbacks across across the last few decades that have not gotten. The opportunity to just be in conversation."
Rodgers even pointed to last summer when one day he was praising wide receiver Jake Kumerow in an interview and the next day he was part of the cuts. Those types of moves irked Rodgers and it added to his dislike of how the organization has dealt with important veterans near or at the end of their careers. He listed out the likes of Charles Woodson, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Clay Matthews, John Kuhn, Randall Cobb and others.
"I wanted to help the organization maybe learn from some of the mistakes in the past, in my opinion, about the way that some of the outgoing veterans were treated," Rodgers said. "And just the fact that we didn't retain a number of players that I felt like were core players to our foundation, our locker room, high character guys.
"Guys who were exceptional players for us, but great locker room guys, high character guys, many of them who weren't offered a contract at all, or we're extremely low balled, or were, maybe in my opinion, not given the respect on their way out that guys of their status and stature and high character deserved."
Rodgers also felt as though he should have a voice in helping recruit players in free agency, something that he said hasn't happened during his tenure.
"I think we can all understand Green Bay isn't a huge vacation destination. People are coming here to play with me and to play with our team, knowing that they can win a championship here," Rodgers said. "And the fact that I haven't been used in those discussions was what I wanted to change moving forward. And I felt like based on my years, the way I can still play, that that should be a natural part of conversation."
But perhaps the biggest reason Rodgers stayed away as long as he did was the lack of commitment to him as the quarterback after 2021. Rodgers said he expected, after posting an MVP season in 2020, to be offered a contract extension even though his deal ran through the 2023 season. That didn't come, at least not right away after the season. Rodgers said it wasn't until after the draft, and after the story broke publicly about him being unhappy, that the team tried to throw money at the problem. At that point, though, it wasn't about money. It was about trying to change the way the Packers have done business, quite successfully for that matter, for much of the last 30 years.
"As I've talked to some other older players around the league, I think this is how it goes, you get a little bit older, you see some of the disfunction in organizations, and you either move on or try and help foster some change," Rodgers said. "And that's all I wanted to do. Because I love this organization. And I love being a Packer and I've enjoyed my time here."
There is still plenty of uncertainty around Rodgers' future with the team. He was not ruling out anything in terms of whether he'll be around after this season and he dismissed reports that indicated he would be able to choose where the Packers trade him, if that's what they decided. He admitted that he had thoughts of retiring but the fire to play still burns inside of him, so, for now, he's back and ready to make a run, potentially his last in Green Bay, at another Super Bowl title.
"There were things I needed to do, conversations I needed to have, to put myself in the right headspace to be able to come back here and to be 100% in, which my teammates and the organization expects and I expected myself," Rodgers said. "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't 100% all-in."
WR Randall Cobb reportedly set to return to Green Bay via trade with Houston
It appears Randall Cobb is coming home.
According to multiple reports, the Packers are working on a trade with Houston that would bring the wide receiver back to Green Bay.
https://twitter.com/jasonjwilde/status/1420101451011985428
Cobb played his first eight years in the NFL with the Packers after they made him their second-round pick in 2011. He hit free agency following the 2018 season and ended up spending one year in Dallas and another in Houston. The Kentucky product has an extremely close relationship with Aaron Rodgers, and it's likely the quarterback played a role in getting Cobb back.
Injuries limited him at times during his career with Green Bay, including his final year when he played in just six games. But he was solid in playing 25 of a possible 32 games the last two seasons, catching 93 passes for 1,269 yards and six touchdowns.
https://twitter.com/89JonesNTAF/status/1420113394930130946
The 31-year-old will join a wide receiver room that boasts the best player at the position in Davante Adams, along with some proven weapons in Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard. A true slot receiver, Cobb will serve as a very good mentor to third-round pick Amari Rodgers, who knows Cobb well because his father, Tee Martin, was his coach in college.
Green Bay is slated to hit the field for the first practice of training camp Wednesday morning.
Brewers start road trip with 9-0 win in Pittsburgh
Milwaukee extended its lead in the NL Central with a 9-0 win Tuesday night in Pittsburgh.
The Brewers jumped all over Pirates' starter Luis Oviedo in the first two innings. They scored twice in the first thanks to a 2-run homer from Omar Narvaez, his first since July 5. The Milwaukee catcher was just getting going, as he drove in two more runs in the second with a single.
Avisail Garcia followed that with a 2-run double and then it was Rowdy Tellez bringing in another pair of runners with a single. Tellez would add a home run in ninth inning, his seventh of the season.
While Milwaukee's offense was soaring, the Pittsburgh offense could get nothing going against Brett Anderson. He went six innings, allowing three hits and striking out three to earn his third win of the year.
In his first game since May 31 due to injury, centerfielder Lorenzo Cain had a couple hits, drove in a run and played the type of defense that earned him a Gold Glove in 2019.
https://twitter.com/BallySportWI/status/1420191642590588929?s=20
With the win, Milwaukee moved to 7.5 games up on Cincinnati for first place in the division.
It'll be the same two teams Wednesday in Pittsburgh.
Brewers: Christian Yelich tests positive for COVID-19
COVID-19 has found its way into the Milwaukee clubhouse.
The team announced Tuesday afternoon that Christian Yelich had tested positive and been placed into quarantine. The outfielder reported mild symptoms to the team yesterday and is expected to miss at least 10 days.
Jace Peterson was considered a close contact and was also placed on the injured list. He will miss at least seven days.
Originally scheduled to travel to Pittsburgh on Monday, the positive test led the Brewers to not head out until Tuesday morning. Manager Craig Counsell said he didn't think they were out of the woods yet in terms of potential other positive tests.
Milwaukee replaced Yelich and Peterson on the active roster with reliever Devin Williams and outfielder Lorenzo Cain.
Bryn Forbes reportedly declines player option, will become a free agent
One piece of Milwaukee's championship roster is unlikely to be back.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, guard Bryn Forbes is declining his player option for next season and will become a free agent.
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1420036767852503049
Forbes was a key reserve for the Bucks throughout the season and took on a starting role for a time when Jrue Holiday was out due to COVID-19 protocols. Forbes averaged 10.0 points per game and was one of the top 3-point shooters (45.2%) in the league. The Michigan State product was huge for Milwaukee in the first round of the playoffs against Miami, averaging 15 points per game, including scoring 22 in the team's Game 4 victory to win the series.
Forward Bobby Portis also has a player option to stay with the club, but he has yet to announce a decision. Milwaukee has a total of five free agents, including unrestricted free agent PJ Tucker.
Aaron Rodgers is back at Lambeau Field
He's back.
Aaron Rodgers walked into Lambeau Field early Tuesday morning as the Green Bay Packers veterans reported for training camp. News broke yesterday that Rodgers and the team were close to a deal that would bring the quarterback back into the fold after he missed all of the offseason program amid issues with the front office.
https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1420015044436320257
https://twitter.com/packers/status/1420027096194297867
The Packers will hit the field for the first time on Wednesday morning.
Report: Packers, Aaron Rodgers close to agreement for him to play for Packers in 2021
Aaron Rodgers is reportedly returning to the Green Bay Packers for at least the 2021 season.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport initially reported that Rodgers had indicated to people close to him he planned to play for the team after missing the entire offseason program due to issues with the front office. Then, ESPN's Adam Schefter filled in the details and concessions made by the two sides to make it happen.
-- Voiding the final year of Rodgers' contract (2023) with no ability to use the franchise tag
-- Rodgers' contract would be adjusted to give the Packers more salary cap room this year
-- The Packers would put things into place to address Rodgers' issues with how the team has been run
-- The Packers will address Rodgers' situation at the end of 2021
The Packers are scheduled to report to training camp Tuesday and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that Rodgers will likely be there even if a deal isn't finalized to avoid getting fined. The first practice slated for Wednesday.
During the team's annual shareholders meeting late Monday morning, which came prior to Rapoport's tweet, general manager Brian Gutekunst and team president Mark Murphy both said they were hopeful for a positive outcome with the Rodgers' situation. After the meeting, Murphy met with reporters and said he did not know if Rodgers would report this week for training camp and would not engage on any specifics with the situation.
Rodgers missed the entire offseason program for the first time in his career and reportedly told some within the organization that he did not want to play for the team again due to his issues with the front office.
Brewers fall to White Sox 3-1 in series finale
Milwaukee had to settle for taking two of three from the Chicago White Sox this weekend.
Brandon Woodruff allowed three runs in the second inning and it would prove to be enough for Chicago in a 3-1 win Sunday night at American Family Field. Woodruff ended up going seven innings and allowing five hits and striking out nine. But he couldn't overcome the second inning that saw opposing pitcher Lance Lynn find his first hit since 201 and it resulted in a pair of RBI.
Meanwhile, Lynn more than got it done for the White Sox on the mound. He went six innings, allowing six hits, including a solo homer to Jackie Bradley Jr, while striking out six. The veteran didn't give up a walk and saw his ERA drop to 1.91 on the year.
Liam Hendriks came on in the eighth inning for the six-out save, his 24th of the season.
Milwaukee had some chances, but failed in some key spots. The Brewers left nine men on base and went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position, including Christian Yelich being 0-for-2.
Despite the loss, Milwaukee maintained its 6.5-game lead on Cincinnati in the NL Central. The Brewers will now head out for a six-game road trip that will get going Tuesday night in Pittsburgh.
Brewers get grand slam from Tyrone Taylor, beat White Sox 7-1
Milwaukee blew the game open late to earn a 7-1 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night at American Family Field.
The Brewers managed just one run off of White Sox ace Lucas Giolito and led 1-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. That's when their bats came alive, as they poured across six runs against Chicago relievers Aaron Bummer and Ryan Burr. It included a Tyrone Taylor grand slam, the first of his career.
https://twitter.com/Brewers/status/1418765053403271171
Rowdy Tellez had two hits and a pair of RBI, while Avisail Garcia got credited for an RBI with a ground out.
Milwaukee handed the ball to Freddy Peralta for the first time since the All-Star Game. He was on a pitch count but was lights out during his work. The righty went four innings, giving up one hit and striking out five.
The win allowed the Brewers to snap a five-game home losing streak and maintain their 6.5 game lead on Cincinnati in the NL Central.
The Camp: Big Ten Media Days
On this episode of The Camp, Zach and Jesse are at Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis. They talk about what they heard from the three Badgers in attendance, former UW AD Barry Alvarez's new job, former UW coach Bret Bielema being back in the conference and some questions heading into fall camp.
Zach is also joined for interviews by Alvarez, LB Jack Sanborn, TE Jake Ferguson, CB Faion Hicks, Minnesota RB Mo Ibrahim and the Wisconsin State Journal's Jim Polzin.
