Matt LaFleur provides update on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers at OTAs
After a lot of uncertainty surrounding the future of star quarterback Aaron Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers, the two sides came together and agreed on a three-year deal worth north of $150 million during this offseason. Now, even with a new contract, Rodgers is still absent from Packers voluntary organized team activities. But Rodgers not being at OTAs isn’t concerning for Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
LaFleur gave an update on Rodgers on Tuesday, via Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Rodgers is in “good spirits,” but LaFleur isn’t sure if he’ll be at OTAs with the Packers next week.
“#Packers coach Matt LaFleur says Aaron Rodgers is not at OTAs, which are voluntary,” Wood tweeted. “He spoke with the QB last night — ‘which was great’ — about tweaks to offense and such, says Rodgers was in ‘good spirits.’ Doesn’t know if he’ll be at OTAs next week. It’ll be Rodgers’ choice.”
Rodgers has won back-to-back NFL MVP awards. The Packers have won exactly 13 games in three consecutive seasons. Last season, he threw for 4,115 yards with 37 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Dan Orlovsky on Rodgers missing from Packers OTAs
The Packers offense will look different next season following the trade of Davante Adams and the departure of Marquez Valdes-Scantling as a free agent. The Packers still have Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, and signed Sammy Watkins as a free agent. Green Bay also drafted Christian Watson in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
On Monday, ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky said that Rodgers not being at Packers OTAs is not a big deal, and that he will have plenty of time to build that chemistry with Watson prior to and during the season.
“He doesn’t need to be there,” Orlovsky said. “Listen, first of all, the Packers are a playoff football team. They are in the playoffs because of how good their roster is. And the second thing is they don’t play a game for like four months. The Packers season is really going to come down to two things: Number one, does Christian Watson, their second-round wide receiver, does he exceed expectations? There’s only been three second-round wide receivers in the last 30 years to go over 1,000 yards as a rookie. And then does Aaron Rodgers play his absolute best football in January and February, not in September, October, November, December.
“The Packers are not going to or going to win a Super Bowl because of some reps in May and June for Christian Watson and Aaron Rodgers. You know what happens a lot for rookies? Information overload. Aaron Rodgers has a master’s level of understanding of this offense. Christian Watson, it’s going to take him three months just to learn the basics and the language of this offense.