Aaron Rodgers: "To get Randall (Cobb) back is really special"

(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Randall Cobb was at the crux of the offseason feud between Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. The former Kentucky Wildcat played a part in why it started and how it ended.

After reporting to training camp, the reigning NFL MVP met with reporters to discuss his tumultuous offseason at length for the first time. Reports previously stated that Rodgers wanted more say in front office decision-making. Today he stated that he did not want a final say, just to be a part of the conversation when the franchise was ready to move on from key players, like Cobb.

“We didn’t retain a number of players that I felt like were core players to our foundation, our locker room, high-character guys,” he said.

“I’m talking about Charles Woodson, Jordy Nelson, Julius Peppers, Clay Matthews, Randall Cobb, James Jones, John Kuhn, Brett Goode, T.J. Lang, Bryan Bulaga, Casey Hayward, Micah Hyde, guys who were exceptional players for us but great locker room guys, high-character guys, many of them whom weren’t offered a contract at all or were extremely low-balled or were in my opinion not given the respect on the way out that guys of their status and stature and high character deserved.”

As a way to show respect for Rodgers, the Packers organization righted a wrong by bringing Cobb back to Green Bay. Tom Pelissero reports the Houston Texas will receive a 2022 sixth round pick from the Packers and pay $3 million of Cobb’s salary this season. Even though it’s a farewell tour of sorts, Rodgers believes Cobb can still provide something missing from the Packers’ passing attack.

“I’m really excited Randall’s coming back. He’s obviously a dear friend and a guy I still believe in that can really play,” Rodgers said.

“To get Randall back is really special. It’s something that I talked about back in February, wanting to bring in a true slot receiver, I thought would make our offense more dynamic. I think Randall’s a dynamic player — he has been when he’s been healthy.”

Injuries limited Cobb to just 10 games in 2020. As a Texan he caught 38 passes for 441 yards and three touchdowns. He last played for the Packers in 2018, another season limited by injuries, playing in just nine contests.

This fall will mark the tenth anniversary of Cobb’s debut with the Packers. The Thursday night opener of the 2011 NFL season, he gave the defending Super Bowl Champs an unforgettable touchdown.

Randall Cobb is back in Green Bay.

This return from his NFL debut was absolutely beautiful. @rcobb18 (Sept. 8, 2011) pic.twitter.com/yHit4bVuwR

— NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) July 28, 2021