Rodgers won’t be distraction, teammates say
Aaron Rodgers’ teammates say the MVP’S uncertain status won’t distract them in their offseason preparations.
Rodgers hasn’t been present for organized team activities this week following an ESPN report last month that he doesn’t want to return to Green Bay.
The quarterback was noncommittal about his future in an ESPN interview Monday night.
“I don’t think it’s going to be that much of a distraction,” defensive tackle Kenny Clark said Tuesday. “We’ve got to control what we can control as a team, and we’ve just to come out, practice, handle business and play ball.
“You know, we’ve got to leave that situation to the organization and Aaron.”
Rodgers wasn’t the only notable Packer missing from Tuesday’s OTA session. Most of his receivers also weren’t there, including All-pro Davante Adams.
Packers coach Matt Lafleur said he didn’t know whether it might have been a coordinated effort by the receivers to stay away.
“I’ve had individual conversations with each guy, but never once has that come up,” Lafleur said.
The NFL Players’ Association has advised players against attending voluntary workouts while citing the risks inherent amid the pandemic.
Although Rodgers wasn’t around, he still dominated discussions as Packers players spoke to reporters.
Many of the questions focused on the issues Rodgers addressed in the interview that ESPN aired Monday night.
“Love the coaching staff, love my teammates, love the fan base in Green Bay,” Rodgers said in the interview. “An incredible 16 years. It’s just kind of about a philosophy and maybe forgetting that it is about the people that make the thing go. It’s about character, it’s about culture, it’s about doing things the right way.
“A lot of this was put in motion last year, and the wrench was just kind of thrown into it when I won MVP and played the way I played last year. This is just kind of, I think, a spill-out of all that. But it is about the people, and that’s the most important thing.”
Rodgers went on to reference Curly Lambeau, Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr, Brett Favre, Reggie White and
Mike Holmgren while talking about how “Green Bay has always been about the people.”
Lafleur declined to comment on the issues Rodgers addressed while reiterating his hopes to have the threetime MVP back this fall.
General manager Brian Gutekunst has said he has no plans to trade Rodgers, who has three years remaining on his contract.