Have the Green Bay Packers and star quarterback Aaron Rodgers kissed and made up? Or is the reigning NFL MVP’s presence at training camp simply a means to avoid the $50,000 daily fine for missing camp related activities?
That’s the question that fans across the country are asking themselves as the offseason standoff between Packers management and the face of their franchise appears to be on the back burner for now. Per Adam Schefter, the front office in Green Bay has agreed to several concessions in an effort to lure Rodgers back to Lambeau for his 17th year with the team.
Schefter believes that team officials are setting the table for Rodgers to be able to move on from the organization in 2022 if he still feels as though his concerns with the team haven’t been sufficiently addressed.
Reports amongst NFL circles today are suggesting that the Packers could be looking to bring back a familiar face to help mend bridges. Houston and Green Bay appear to be deep in talks to send Randall Cobb back to Wisconsin to reunite with his former signal caller. This news comes on the heels of reports that extension talks with star wide receiver Davante Adams have hit a snag and appear to be on hold for the moment.
Earlier this week, both Rodgers and Adams posted matching “Last Dance” photos to their instagram accounts, which most assume is an indication that 2021 will be their last years in Lambeau.
From a fan perspective, this season will likely be a roller coaster of emotions if this is indeed the last time we’ll see Adams and Rodgers in yellow and green uniforms. From a fantasy perspective however, any doubts as to whether you should roll the dice on drafting either player appear to be calmed for the time being.
Although he’s getting up there in age (turning 38 in December), Rodgers is showing no signs of slowing down on the field. Fresh off an MVP season that saw him post career highs in TDs, Completion %, and QBR, Rodgers will be locked and loaded to help guide your team to fantasy glory this season.
The Packers didn’t add any “sexy names” in the draft offensively, however picking up 3 players to bolster their O-Line and WR Amari Rodgers out of Clemson in the 3rd round will help ensure that injuries aren’t as big a factor on offense as they were in 2020. All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari will start training camp on the PUP list, and it’s currently unclear whether he will be good to go for week 1 or will remain on the PUP list to begin the season. Either way, when he does return, the Packers will be receiving a tremendous boost to both their run game and in pass protection.
Rumours suggest that Green Bay will also be leaning on sophomore running back AJ Dillon more in the backfield this year. So while you can draft Rodgers and Adams without fear, Aaron Jones remains a slightly riskier proposition at his current ADP of 11th overall. While I’m confident he’ll continue to see the bulk of the carries in the Green Bay backfield, it’s always a little unsettling to hear the coaching staff talking up a promising young player at the same position as your first round draft pick.
Rodgers finished the year as the QB2 in Yahoo scoring last season. And while he may not reach the heights of another MVP caliber campaign, you can reasonably expect him to put up a top 5 QB score if the Packers offense is able to stay healthy. The added motivation of a “Last Dance” and sticking it to the Green Bay front office certainly also never hurts.
-Kyle Skinner
Twitter: @JKyleSkinner