Aaron Rodgers Addresses Media For First Time Since 2020 NFL Draft

Aaron Rodgers has spoken publicly for the first time since the Packers drafted the heir-apparent to Green Bay’s future Hall of Fame quarterback- below are my instant reactions to what was asked and how he responded:

• The first few questions were around the Jordan Love selection and how Aaron has reacted to it but the most telling answer came in the very last question of the press conference- posed by Rob Demovsky of ESPN.
• Rob asked- was your surprise based on the fact that they selected Jordan Love or that the Packers didn’t select a receiver? Rodgers’s answer was essentially- yes this was a surprise and it made him realize that this does, in fact, change the things he feels like he can control with his playing career.
• As much as he feels confident in his abilities and what he can do there are new factors that are out of his control.
• The most telling sentence? “My desire to start and finish my career with the Green Bay Packers might not be a reality”.
• Rodgers understands the Packer’s future outlook yet at the same time he believes in himself and he doesn’t know how it will all work together at this point (referring to him eventually being hin his forties and looking to be a starting quarterback).

Other important points to note:

How does he feels about roster- ” Yeah I like where we’re at. Obviously what we accomplished last year was pretty amazing- the additions we brought in and then having a first-year head coach in a new system I liked our progression… as always we’re going to be expecting those young players to make a jump… obviously, I hope there’s a season and hope there’s a chance to get back together soon and start working on that chemistry and get excited about the season”

On Jordan Love selection and handling the competition– “I was watching the feed with AJ Hawks and Pat McAfee and his boys- you know I think the general reaction at first was surprise like many people… You know obviously I’m not going to say I was thrilled by pick necessary but I understand the organization is thinking not only about the present but the future also…obviously they thought he was such a great talent they thought they needed to go up and get him…it’s what those guys are paid to do, to put together a roster for now and for the future as well”.

On his role in Love’s development– it’s the same that I’ve done with all my backup quarterbacks…I feel great about all those relationships… he didn’t get asked to be drafted by Packers…I’m excited to work with him”

On the plan to finish career with Packers– I think what [the Packers selection] does is reinforce the adage that you can only control what you can control…it’s always been a mantra for myself…that’s something that very important to me but it’s telling at this point that it’s out of my control. What I can control is how I play and making that decision at some point a very hard one…if I were to retire on the organizations’ timetable then it’s an easy decision. But if there comes a time where I feel like I can play at a high level and my body feels great, um then there’s other guys that have gone on and played elsewhere”.

On biggest challenge for the team in 2020– “I think some of the beauty in the prognostications…there are a lot of sentiments on us being a not great 13-3 team last year…I don’t know if we’re going to be a favorite or be a team expected to dominate the NFC…key will be to find a way to recreate that chemistry…it’s been different not being able to do some of the things I usually do with the guys… I like our squad and like our leadership…there’s probably not going to be sky-high expectations for us like last year…at the same time I feel like we’ll be in the mix”.

On how it feels to be in the position he’s in now– “I do see some similarities (between his situation now and where he was drafted as Favre’s replacement in 2006) and I understand why they’re drawn…I’ve learned a lot over the years from Brett that I can bring to Jordan and understanding the mindset…I went through it as a 21,22, 23-year-old playing with my idol as a teammate… like I said before I’ve always had great relationships with my backups…the more questions they have the more answers I have…it’ll be the same with Jordan”.

——————