3 former Aaron Rodgers teammates that Packers need to bring back for 2021
By Scott Rogust
If it truly is Aaron Rodgers’ “Last Dance” in Green Bay, here are three former teammates the Packers should consider bringing back.
The story of the NFL offseason was undoubtedly the drama between the Green Bay Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Even though it looked like Rodgers would hold out of training camp, the Packers and reigning NFL MVP reached an agreement on a reworked contract for him to suit up for the 2021 season.
The Packers’ appeasing to Rodgers became evident after the team acquired former wide receiver Randall Cobb from the Houston Texans. With Cobb returning to Green Bay to make one last run with Rodgers, they could potentially choose to bring back more of his former teammates.
Here are three of Rodgers’ former teammates that the Packers should consider bringing back for the 2021 season.
3. Jake Kumerow
This one is a layup, as the release of wide receiver Jake Kumerow was the catalyst of Rodgers’ deteriorating relationship with the Packers front office.
Prior to the start of the 2020 season, Rodgers spoke glowingly of Kumerow during an interview. Days later, Kumerow was one of the Packers’ final roster cuts in training camp. It was awkward timing on the Packers part, and it became evident that the transaction did irk the quarterback.
Flash forward to this past week, and Rodgers referenced Kumerow’s release in part of his much-talked about training camp press conference. Specifically, Rodgers called Kumerow “the second-best wide receiver in training camp last year,” and made an eye-opening comment about the Packers cutting him, as you can see in the tweet below, courtesy of ESPN’s Jeff Darlington.
Aaron Rodgers: "If you’re going to cut a guy who was our second-best wide receiver in training camp last year, maybe run it by me.” …He’s referencing displeasure in departure of WR Jake Kumerow.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) July 28, 2021
Kumerow logged two seasons with the Packers (19 games), as he caught 20 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns on 32 targets.
The 29-year-old wide receiver is currently a member with the Buffalo Bills. If Rodgers wants Kumerow back, the Packers will likely have to surrender a late-round draft pick to the Bills, much like they did with the Texans to get Cobb.