Five Things We Learned From Aaron Rodgers On Tuesday

Aaron Rodgers is the Green Bay Packers’ version of E.F. Hutton.

When he speaks, he makes headlines.

Rodgers was back at it Tuesday, speaking to the Wisconsin media after returning for the Packers’ mandatory minicamp. Here’s five things we learned.

1. Rodgers knew Davante Adams wanted out

Adams, a five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, asked for a trade this offseason. Green Bay obliged and sent him to Las Vegas on March 18 for a first- and second-round draft pick.

Adams set franchise records for receptions (123) and yards (1,553) last season. So playing without his No. 1 weapon certainly isn’t ideal for Rodgers.

But Green Bay’s quarterback said he knew that Adams was unhappy and “helped” get him to Las Vegas.

“Look, I’m not going to stand in the way of (a trade),” Rodgers said. “I love him. It’s really friggin hard for sure, but when you love somebody and you care about somebody like that, ultimately you want them to be happy. And he felt like, I think, he was going to be happier in Vegas with him and his family being close to the family and on the West Coast, and I wasn’t going to stand in the way of that and the team was going to do what was best in that situation and ultimately it was best to make a trade.”

2. Rodgers believes the offense will change

Since Matt LaFleur arrived in Green Bay in 2019, the Packers have run the ball 43.4% of the time. When you subtract quarterback runs, though — which are obviously not designed plays — Green Bay has called passing plays on just 38.5% of its snaps.

With Adams gone and the wide receiver room packed with uncertainty, Rodgers believes Green Bay’s offensive identity will change in 2022.

The Packers have one of the better 1-2 punches in Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon. When healthy, the offensive line is gifted and deep. And Rodgers thinks Green Bay will lean more on its running game than in recent seasons.

“I think the way that we’ve played in (Adams’) absence in the last seven games or so over the last three years, it has been different,” Rodgers said. “Obviously Aaron Jones has had more opportunities I think in those games. Now that we have an incredibly complementary second back, we can get both those guys involved in the passing game. … so we’re obviously going to do some things a little different.”

3. Rodgers will ‘definitely’ finish his career in Green Bay

Rodgers, who will turn 39 later this season, signed a three-year, $150.8 million extension in the offseason.

When asked if he’ll finish his career in Green Bay, Rodgers said, “Yes. Definitely.” He later added, “Unless they trade me this year, next year.”

Rodgers wouldn’t say, though, how many more years he wants to play. He’s coming off back-to-back MVP seasons, but has talked more and more about retirement in recent years.

“I don’t want to commit to something,” Rodgers said. “You say I’m only playing one more year and you have a bitter taste in your mouth and still got the drive and the passion to play one or two more years, I just don’t want to get pigeonholed into it.

“So I’m focused on this season. I’m never going to drag it out in the offseason. The conversations I’ve had with (general manager) Brian (Gutekunst) have been very honest and direct, and that’s not going to change, and we’ll sit down after the season, hopefully after a championship and figure out what the next step is.”

4. Rodgers isn’t wowed by the wide receiver room

Green Bay’s wide receiver group has a lot to prove after Adams was traded and Marquez Valdes-Scantling left in free agency.

Underwhelming veterans Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Sammy Watkins have the most experience. Rookies Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs figure to get plenty of opportunities, as well.

“I like production over potential,” Rodgers said. “We have some production. We have a lot of potential, so we need to temper expectations and heighten the accountability. I think that’s the most important thing for those guys.

“There’s guys who’ve done some things in the league and there’s guys that haven’t and they’re going to get opportunities, so reasonable expectations for those guys and then high expectations and accountability for the entire room.”

5. Rodgers is much happier with the front office

At this time last season, Rodgers was at odds with Green Bay’s front office and threatening to never play for the Packers again. The two sides eventually buried the hatchet after Rodgers was given a voice in certain personnel decisions and the team traded for his pal, Randall Cobb.

Today, Rodgers and Green Bay’s management team are in a far better place.

“Look some conversations had to be had and I’m happy they were had and I appreciated the honesty,” Rodgers said. “There were some very direct conversations and I haven’t really shied away from conflict during my time here because I feel like it leads to a resolution that’s usually positive for the organization and for everybody involved.

“And I’m not saying it was hand-to-hand conflict or combat. It was just some real serious heart-to-hearts. As someone who loves this franchise so much, I felt like it was important to share my opinions about certain things and my vision for how this place can continue to improve and get better long after I’m done.”