Aaron Rodgers is probably the most famous athlete in the world, but he’s also one of the most introverted. He doesn’t like to talk about himself with strangers, and that led to some anxiety when he was drafted by the Green Bay Packers.
Aaron Rodgers had some anxiety and admits returning to Packers camp felt like the first day of school.
Aaron Rodgers had some jitters when he reported to the Green Bay Packers after some offseason controversy. In front of the media, he looked calm and collected, but he had flashbacks of his earlier days. Rodgers, the NFL’s reigning MVP, recently described his return to the club as “like the first day of school.”
Aaron Rodgers has signed a one-year contract extension with the Green Bay Packers.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers delivers a pass during warmups before a preseason game against the Houston Texans at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on August 14, 2021. | Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
Rodgers caused a stir this summer when Adam Schefter claimed that the quarterback had informed some in the organization that he did not want to return. On draft day 2020, GM Brian Gutekunst moved up to pick Jordan Love in the first round, signaling the start of a rift between Rodgers and the club. The quarterback was irritated by a number of front-office moves.
Rodgers went on to win his third MVP award, but Schefter’s story sparked a tumultuous summer in Green Bay. He missed the team’s offseason training exercises for the first time in his career. For months, he stayed silent and absent from the organization.
Rodgers returned to the squad after attending obligatory training camp – at least for the time being. According to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, the two parties have agreed to sell Rodgers after the 2021 season if he wants out of Green Bay.
Glazer said they had approximately six months to attempt to mend their relationship. “They have to move Aaron Rodgers if he decides he wants out at the conclusion of this year. They’ve already agreed to it.”
Returning to the Packers felt like ‘the first day of school,’ according to Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers, as calm as he seemed during his highly anticipated news conference upon his return to the Packers after an acrimonious summer, felt like an outsider at first. It seemed like old times when he saw his colleagues again.
On the Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers told former teammate A.J. Hawk, “It felt a bit weird walking in.” “I told Jim Rome yesterday that it felt like the first day of school, at a new school. Growing up, we moved a lot. Throughout high school, I attended seven or eight different schools.
“I’m sure you’ve experienced it. It’s almost as if you’re the new guy, the outsider, on the first day. Walking into the dressing room, I felt a little like that. But then I saw Preston (Smith), Lucas Patrick, and a few other people, including my locker friend, Oren Burks. All of my anxieties and worry disappeared, and I felt much better.
“It’s not the same. Everything seems a little different when you’re gone from the squad for six months. It’s great to be back with the boys again. Everything is back to normal.”
When Rodgers talked with the media for the first time since returning to the Packers, he vented six months of anger. He was straightforward and didn’t hold back much, if at all. His primary complaint was that he want to have a greater say in some of the team’s choices, particularly those that directly affected him.
Rodgers said, “I simply want to be engaged in discussions that impact my capacity to perform my job.”
He also mentioned a few former teammates, like Charles Woodson, Jordy Nelson, and Randall Cobb, who he believes were not treated properly after their days in Green Bay came to an end.
“I wanted to assist the company, maybe learn from some of the previous errors… Rodgers also spoke about how some of the departing veterans were handled. “And the fact that we didn’t keep a lot of guys who I thought were important to our foundation and locker room. Guys have a lot of personality.”
Rodgers has rejoined the Packers. He seems to be adapting well now that the awkwardness has passed.
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