Rodgers a no show at Packers first day of OTAs
The reigning NFL MVP, Aaron Rodgers has expressed his doubts about returning to Lambeau Field next season. Rodgers was absent on todays first day of OTAs.
The Aaron Rodgers sagas is far from over, in fact it’s only just beginning. The Packer Quarterback decided to skip the first organized team activities of the preseason.
Rodgers left the Lambeau faithful with a grim premonition of the future after pre-NFL Draft reports that the reigning MVP wants out of Green Bay.
Rodgers a no show
The decision to skip the first day of OTAs won’t shock too many around the league, as Rodgers feelings towards the only franchise he’s every played with have been well documented over the last month and a half.
Phase 3 of the OTA’s started today. This phase involves workouts that will span over the next four weeks and includes 10 days of work at the Packers training facility. The first phase of OTAs was carried out online, while the second was in person.
$500,000 bonus off the table for Packers QB
While the OTA’s are voluntary, there will be consequences for the Packer gunslinger. Rodgers’ absence in the first two phases, and today’s start to phase three means he will be ineligible for a $500,000 offseason workout bonus.
Packer president Mark Murphy has been very clear about the organizations intention on keeping their quarterback in Wisconsin for “2021 and beyond.”
Rodgers has spent 16 years in Green Bay since being drafted late in the first round out of Cal. Since then he has won a Super Bowl, and been voted NFL MVP three different times including last season.
Similar situations to Packers Favre-Rodgers drama circa 2008
Much of the dissent towards the only franchise he has ever known comes from Green Bay’s decision to take QB Jordan Love in last years NFL Draft. Oras of the Brett Favre - Aaron Rodgers situation that kept Rodgers on the bench and eventually pushed Favre out of the Frozen Tundra.
"I've got nothing new to update, and we still obviously feel the same way," said Packers coach Matt LaFleur at the beginning of May. "We want him back in the worst way. I know he knows that, and we'll continue to work at it each and every day."
Mini camp starts in two weeks
Rodgers will not only miss out on the off season workout bonus, but fines could start to pile up. A three day mini camp starts in two weeks, and if Rodgers doesn’t show he will be set back over $90,000.