Green Bay Packers: Takeaways from Aaron Rodgers Conference Call

Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers spoke to reporters for the first time since the draft ended. Here are some of the biggest takeaways.

After weeks of speculation since the NFL Draft has taken place and many others chiming in and giving their thoughts on Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, QB1 spoke publicly for the first time over a conference call with reporters.

Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the conference call and if you’d like to listen for yourself, click here.

Confidence in WR group

As we all know last season the overall play from the Green Bay Packers’ wide receiving group was fairly underwhelming. This offseason they would sign Devin Funchess to a one-year deal, however, we don’t exactly know what we will get from him. And then of course with a loaded draft class, the Packers would not select a single receiver.

Call it quarterback speak or whatever you’d like, but when asked about the receivers outside of Davante Adams, Rodgers spoke very highly of the group. He would mention that he has a “ton of confidence” in Marquez Valdes-Scantling, he raved about Allen Lazard, and multiple times he mentioned Equanimeous St. Brown and what he can bring to this team. Rodgers also mentioned that he loved Jake Kumerow’s approach.

Not to mention that while many fans are upset about the offseason, Rodgers would say: “I like what Brian (Gutekunst) has done.”

The Jordan Love pick and what that means for Rodgers

This, of course, is what everyone wanted to know the answer to, and while I’m sure there will be plenty of articles out there spinning Rodgers’ words negatively, he handled it exceptionally well as we all should have expected.

Although Rodgers would say that he wasn’t “thrilled” by the Jordan Love pick as it made him realize that the odds of him finishing his career in Green Bay decreased with that selection, he does “respect” the decision.

However, he would then point out that just because the odds are less likely, that doesn’t change his feelings about the matter. Rodgers still wants to finish his career as a Packer and play into his 40s, yet he realizes that ultimately, the decision is out of his control, but what he can control is his play on the field.

Rodgers would go on to say that if he is still playing at a high level and feels healthy in a few years, he’s aware that others in his situation have gone on to play elsewhere.

While those quotes will be what grabs the headlines, what needs to be noted is that Rodgers talked about how much he learned from Favre and that he can bring that relationship to Jordan Love. Rodgers would add that Love didn’t ask to be drafted by Green Bay and that the two had a good conversation after the draft.

Other Quick Takeaways

• Rodgers will continue to wear a wrist band to help pick up the tempo.
• He’s very happy to have Marcedes Lewis (Big Dog) back in the mix because of his blocking ability but also what he brings to the locker room.
• In the midst of these workouts from home, self-motivators are going to be the ones who show up to training camp the most prepared.
• After many questioning how good they were last year even as a 13-3 team, Rodgers doesn’t expect there to be “sky-high” expectations for them in 2020.
• Rodgers didn’t mention names but he has been working out and throwing to a few guys this offseason to keep his arm in shape.