Under a midnight sky, Aaron Rodgers returned to Green Bay, deplaning from a private jet at Austin Straubel International Airport, hoping into a waiting SUV and catching a couple of winks before showing up at Lambeau Field around 8:30 this morning, looking every bit like an MVP quarterback ready for a sequel season, perhaps his last as a Packer.
The tumultuous off-season in the rearview mirror but with almost as many questions remaining about his future beyond the 2021 campaign, Rodgers put his name on a contract reconstructed by General Manager Brian Gutekunst.
It voids the final year of his old deal in 2023, takes the franchise or transition tag off the table, reviews his status before the 2022 calendar year and reportedly includes a provision if Rodgers indeed wants out of Green Bay, he’ll be able to reach a trade agreement. While the Packers have secured the league’s three-time MVP for a possible “last dance”, Rodgers gets what he wanted most of all, a big say in how his Packer career will come to an end.
His arrival has also led to a couple of departures. The Packers announced Tuesday afternoon that they have released veteran Blake Bortles and free agent Jake Dolegala. Bortles, the former number one pick of Jacksonville and 8-year pro was brought in as the “just in case” veteran this spring when the Rodgers rift was taking root. Quite honestly, he never really distinguished himself during the OTA’s and mini-camp even though he was reunited with his former coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Dolegala signed a free agent contract after impressing enough during the team’s tryout weekend in early May, giving the offense four arms during the spring. The cuts leaves the team carrying three quarterbacks into camp- Rodgers, Jordan Love, and Kurt Benkert.
One of the caveats for Rodgers’ return was apparently having the Packers bring back one of the quarterback’s favorites, Randall Cobb. Multiple reports on Tuesday said a deal with the Houston Texans is in the works. Cobb spent the first 8 of his 10 seasons with the Packers and became close with Rodgers. The two attend the Kentucky Derby annually. Cobb’s best year was in 2014 when he caught 91 passes including the epic 4th down touchdown to beat the Bears in Solider Field to clinch a division title. Injuries led to declining production and Cobb wasn’t resigned in 2019, hooking up with Dallas where he caught 55 passes. The Cowboys let him go and last year, he played with the Texans. He had 38 receptions including 8 for 95 yards, his best game of the season, against the Packers at Reliant Stadium. Cobb missed the last six games of the season with a foot injury. Matter of fact, Cobb hasn’t played all 16 games in a season since 2015. Another complication is Cobb’s reported salary of 8.2 million for this year. The Packers are too tight to the cap to afford that so this might take some negotiation before the trade is consummated.
While the Packers drafted Amari Rodgers in the third round in the hopes the Clemson receiver becomes a key target in the slot, Rodgers shouldn’t be offended with Cobb’s arrival. The two are close. Rodgers’ father, Tee Martin, coached Cobb at the University of Kentucky and Randall took a young Amari under his wing and they’ve remained in touch ever since.
Cobb became expendable in Houston after the Texans acquired Anthony Miller from the Chicago Bears over the weekend. More interesting is what the Packers will give up to reunite Rodgers and Cobb and whether this signals the quarterback’s increased involvement in personnel matters, even if it is for one last run at a title.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur will address the media for the first time Wednesday morning before the opening practice of camp at 10:10 AM on Ray Nitschke Field.
