Aaron Rodgers has not been current for voluntary OTAs to date — however the 2021 NFL MVP and Packers dwelling legend has been current for loads of extracurricular actions outdoors of soccer.
He stays a frequent visitor on “The Pat McAfee Present,” commonly makes use of social media, and has even used his on-line presence to hype up “The Match,” that includes himself together with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, and Buffalo Payments signal-caller Josh Allen.
Briefly, Rodgers resides his finest life. Nevertheless, his coach is none too happy.
Matt LaFleur spoke out about Rodgers’ absence from OTAs, admitting that although the exercises aren’t obligatory, he nonetheless needed to see Rodgers at them.
“Every man has that proper to make that selection,” LaFleur mentioned, by way of Jason Wilde of the State Journal. “For those who’re asking me, I need everyone right here.
“I feel a few of the thought course of might have modified over what’s transpired during the last two years, particularly with our COVID scenario the place we didn’t have OTAs. However my factor to our guys is, ‘Properly, neither did anyone else. So everyone who was taking part in, had the identical circumstances that they have been coping with.’ Clearly now, with everyone being open, you’d prefer to see as many guys as doable right here.
“I’m not comfy with anyone not being right here. I’d like ‘em all right here,” LaFleur added. “Once more, it’s their selection. Subsequent week is obligatory minicamp, so there are penalties clearly for not coming.”
These “penalties” do not essentially apply to gamers like Rodgers, Sammy Watkins, Jaire Alexander and Preston Smtih, all of whom have not proven up for the voluntary portion of coaching camp. However that does not change LaFleur’s opinion.
In line with Colin Cowherd although, his criticism is pointless, and “The Herd” host got here to the protection of Rodgers on Wednesday.
“In a excellent world, Rodgers could be there for Inexperienced Bay. They have plenty of new gamers. Ideally, the extra follow time, the higher.
“However is it doable that plenty of issues soccer coaches hold close to and pricey to their coronary heart simply do not matter? For years, coaches mentioned, ‘I need starters on the market’ for exhibition season. Sean McVay mentioned, ‘That’s silly, they may get harm,’ and Jared Goff and the Rams went 8-0 to start out that season. Tom Brady has skipped OTAs a number of occasions, and has gained Tremendous Bowls in plenty of these years.”
Is Aaron Rodgers skipping Packers OTAs a priority with new WR core?
OTAs are underway for all 32 NFL groups and one particular person was notably lacking for the Inexperienced Bay Packers: quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Cowherd went on to problem a number of extra unwritten NFL ideologies.
“Here is one other: You’ll be able to’t win with a star quarterback. Yeah, Brady shot plenty of holes in that one. So did Peyton Manning, so did Patrick Mahomes II. Information for you: They’re all celebrities.
“One other is, ‘Turnovers are the killer. I do not desire a quarterback throwing the ball across the yard,'” he mentioned.
“Joe Burrow, Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford have thrown plenty of picks. In 2022, what issues in soccer is a great coach, actually nice quarterback and supplying him with weapons. I simply suppose voluntary OTA attendance will not matter in any respect ultimately.”
Lastly, Cowherd and Rodgers seem to have come to an settlement.
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