Cheesehead
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- Mar 19, 2019
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Rodgers’ health will play a big factor in that pursuit, as a broken collarbone in 2017 and his Week 1 knee injury last year contributed (to different degrees) to the Packers missing the playoffs each of the last two years. Through consultation with team physician Dr. Pat McKenzie, Rodgers opted not to have surgery in the offseason and says his knee feels good.
His mind is more on who’s going to replace veteran receiver Randall Cobb in the slot – he mentioned top target Davante Adams as an option, but also emphasized the opportunity that exists for someone else to seize a prominent role in the offense – and how “lean” running back Aaron Jones looks as he embarks on his third season as potentially a major piece in LaFleur’s scheme.
“Everything comes off of a positive run game,” Rodgers said. “We’re going to have to run the ball.”
The whole picture offensively as Rodgers described it is going to matter more than any personal emotions he and his teammates feel right now in the aftermath of the past week’s media scrutiny of the team and the locker room. Those certainly exist, as Adams confessed when he spoke with reporters on Wednesday, but diligence and communication through the transition will carry the Packers much further than emotion come September.
Rodgers and Adams both said LaFleur is keeping some elements in the offense the two have succeeded with in the past, and they appreciate the input. In turn, he’ll be looking for their buy-in and leadership with everything else needed to get the Packers ready to hit the ground running in September, new head coach and system or not.
“He’s an energetic guy, he’s really intelligent, he’s a good communicator, he’s creative,” Rodgers said of his first impression of LaFleur, much of which he heard in advance from Atlanta QB Matt Ryan, who worked under LaFleur in winning the 2016 league MVP. “It’s exciting right now because it’s different. I’ve been in the same system for 14 years and knew that inside and out, and now I have a new challenge learning this system and becoming an expert in it and trying to find ways to make it work with the guys we’ve got.
“When things change, it kind of jogs the system a little bit. It’s exciting, though, to see the energy. There should be a lot of excitement with our fan base. There is definitely in the locker room. It’s been a good start to the change.”