Packers cut Jake Kumerow despite Aaron Rodgers’ backing

Jake Kumerow was the most surprising Packers roster cut on Saturday

Kumerow lost the fifth receiver job rather convincingly, and despite Aaron Rodgers asking he get more opportunities this week, the Packers opted to go with Malik Taylor. It’s not the first time the Packers have gone against their quarterback’s wishes, as Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur have deemed themselves more knowledgable as it pertains to the team’s future than Rodgers. Hence why they drafted Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft despite having a future Hall of Fame QB still on the roster.

Kumerow isn’t a world-beater, and losing his services won’t hurt Green Bay long-term. It can, however, be taken as another sign that Rodgers and management aren’t on the same page.

Aaron Rodgers vouched for Kumerow as recently as Thursday

“Jake Kumerow has been such a solid performer for us for the last couple years,” Rodgers told Sirius XM NFL Radio on Thursday. “I love his reliability. I think he’s a fantastic, steady player who’s very heady on the field, he makes plays. He plays with a lot of confidence, and he’s a guy you love having on the squad.”

So, about that — Kumerow had the eighth-most receiving yards on the Packers roster in 2019 with a mere 2019. He was a practice squad regular, so the team is quite familiar with him. They know what they’re missing out on.

Rodgers’ personal connection to Kumerow aside, this was an easy personnel decision by Gutekunst and Co. While a promising story, he’s no more than a depth player on this Packers team. Rodgers will have to deal with that.