Packers: Matt LaFleur downplays Aaron Rodgers missing OTAs again
By John Buhler
Matt LaFleur does not think Aaron Rodgers missing Green Bay Packers OTAs again is a big deal.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Aaron Rodgers is not at OTAs yet again.
In what is gearing up to be “The Offseason of Aaron” for the third summer in a row, LaFleur does not seem to be too torn up about not having his best player at OTAs. He told Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette he has had communication with Rodgers “about tweaks to the offense.” LaFleur reiterated that “Rodgers was in ‘good spirits'”, but does not know when he will show up.
It will be up to Rodgers to decide if he plans on being part of the Packers’ OTAs again next week.
#Packers coach Matt LaFleur says Aaron Rodgers is not at OTAs, which are voluntary. 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.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) May 24, 2022
Aaron Rodgers is not taking part in OTAs for the Green Bay Packers yet again
Given that he is the two-time reigning NFL MVP, it does not really matter if Rodgers wants to show up to OTAs or not, since these are voluntary. It just means more reps for his backup Jordan Love to prove if he has what it takes to start somewhere in the league. Should Rodgers miss training camp, that will be massive news. He got his money and would need to show up for that.
Rodgers notoriously does not throw very much, if at all, in the offseason. It seems to work out just fine for him, as his throwing mechanics have long been the gold standard in the NFL. However, he no longer has Davante Adams to lean on in the passing game. Rodgers must identify a new No. 1 receiving target, whether that player is Amari Rodgers, Christian Watson or someone else entirely.
Green Bay cannot mess around this season. Just because the Packers have shown they can win the NFC North and secure home-field advantage does not mean they will have what it takes to get to the Super Bowl. Winning the NFC is the only thing that matters for them this year. Otherwise, it will be yet another disappointing season, as well as another year closer to retirement for Rodgers.
Rodgers not showing up to OTAs is fine, but coming up short in January again is not acceptable.
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