Plenty of the attention that has been given to the Green Bay Packers in recent weeks has revolved around the situation involving Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has stayed away from the facility as he awaits resolution about his future with the team. Two names who have been a major positive thus far are Aaron Jones and Amari Rodgers.
Unfortunately, this would have been a nice time for the younger players to build a rapport with Rodgers had he been there at voluntary OTA’s. Since he isn’t the younger guys have had to turn to other veterans to help them. Running back Aaron Jones is one veteran who has been there.
Jones signed a four-year, $48 million deal in free agency to return to Green Bay despite being courted by other teams, namely the Miami Dolphins. For him to show up to voluntary OTA’s, especially after signing the lucrative deal that he did, means a lot. It sets a great example for the younger players to follow and his presence there has not gone unnoticed.
Amari Rodgers, a wide receiver selected by the Packers in the third round out of Clemson, talked about Jones’ leadership for showing up to the voluntary OTA’s this week.
After the difficulties faced last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it would have been easy for players to stay away from the facilities and remain home as long as possible. But, having players as important as Jones show up to these workouts will give the Packers an upper hand.
It would be one thing if the Packers had a concrete date of when Rodgers would be coming back. If Jordan Love is under center for the Packers when the season begins, the work being put in now provides plenty of value for the team to build a rapport with him.
While working remotely and using video conferencing has its perks, nothing can beat putting in the actual work on the field, building chemistry and cohesion with your teammates. Voluntary OTAs are the first opportunity to do that and the Packers will be grateful that a veteran such as Jones showed up to help get the new guys up to speed on how they do things in Green Bay.
