Inexperienced Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers stated he was “stunned” by the choice to commerce two-time All-Professional receiver Davante Adams final month in his first public feedback since signing a contract extension with the one NFL staff he’s ever performed for.
Whereas talking Thursday night time on Pat McAfee’s SiriusXM and YouTube present, Rodgers stated he believed that his personal three-year, $150m extension that ensured his return for an 18th season with the Packers would immediate Inexperienced Bay’s entrance workplace to return to phrases with Adams.
“It was a bit shocking with Davante,” Rodgers stated. “Clearly once I made my choice, I used to be nonetheless considering he was going to return again. I used to be very sincere with him about my plans and my future and the place I noticed my profession going, so far as what number of years I wish to play. However I felt like he was going to be again. Didn’t clearly end up that means however I've a lot love for ‘Tae and respect the time we spent collectively and undoubtedly want him the very best in Derek [Carr] in Vegas. However that’s an enormous gap to fill.”
The Packers obtained an additional first-round and second-round decide for delivery Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders. However they got here no nearer to discovering new targets for the 38-year-old Rodgers throughout Thursday’s night time’s first spherical of the NFL draft, passing up on an opportunity to spice up their receiving depth with both of their first-round selections. They as an alternative continued loading up on defensive gamers from Georgia by deciding on linebacker Quay Walker with the twenty second general choice and taking deal with Devonte Wyatt six picks later.
Specializing in protection within the first spherical is nothing new for the Packers.
Inexperienced Bay’s collection of Utah State quarterback Jordan Love with the twenty sixth general decide in 2020 is the one time within the final 11 drafts that the Packers have chosen an offensive participant within the first spherical. Earlier than that, the Packers hadn’t chosen an offensive participant within the first spherical since taking Mississippi State deal with Derek Sherrod thirty second general in 2011.
The Packers haven’t taken a large receiver within the first spherical since deciding on Javon Walker in 2002.
This appeared to be a 12 months through which that development would possibly change as a result of the Packers lacked confirmed receivers after buying and selling Adams to the Raiders for the twenty second and 53rd general picks. A run on vast receivers earlier within the first spherical may need brought about the Packers to look elsewhere.
Rodgers stated on Thursday that Inexperienced Bay had six vast receivers rated as first-rounders and that each one of them have been taken among the many first 18 picks.
“There’s some veteran guys on the market that I believe could possibly be potentialities and likewise we've got two picks within the second spherical,” Rodgers stated on McAfee’s present. “I’m certain there’s some guys on the board they in all probability like.”
Rodgers additionally stated he felt just like the Packers have been “within the combine” for among the receivers on the commerce market this offseason, however expressed doubt that Inexperienced Bay would have the ability to add a crown jewel like San Francisco star Deebo Samuel.
“There’s not lots of groups that in all probability wish to commerce receivers to Inexperienced Bay, so I believe we’re in all probability behind the road for lots of those groups,” Rodgers stated. “However on the identical time, I believe for those who’re not going to pay Davante – clearly, we traded him, he needed to maneuver on – however going out and paying one other man, I don’t know if that makes a ton of sense.”
He continued: “I really feel like we’ve been within the combine however does San Francisco actually wish to commerce Deebo Samuel to us?
“I’m certain Packer nation can be questioning why we didn’t take a receiver or commerce up however at this level, you’ve simply bought to have some religion within the group and religion that whoever we usher in tomorrow and the remainder of this draft, I’m going to place within the time to make it work with these guys and we’re going to discover a means in Matt’s offense to achieve success, like we all the time have.
“It’s not going to be any completely different this 12 months, we’re going to be within the combine.”
Rodgers, a four-time NFL Most Beneficial Participant, emphasised that he wasn’t upset and even stunned by Inexperienced Bay’s choice, noting that he had been in communication with the staff’s decision-makers all through the night time.
“It’s a tricky enterprise, it’s an exquisite career,” Rodgers stated. “These of us who've been [able] to play for thus lengthy understand that fully. There’s lots of issues that occur that shock you, even nonetheless. I assumed that primarily based on the quantity that we supplied Davante and having the ability to play with me for a number of extra years would make a distinction, however ultimately I believe he was prepared to maneuver on and needed my help make that occur.
“It was a tricky place to be in, for certain, as a result of I really like him and I care about him and I would like him to be blissful, and he’s undoubtedly going to be missed.”
Post a Comment