"Not at all connected" - Former Packers WR reveals how approaching Aaron Rodgers for a conversation was a difficult task for certain players
Aaron Rodgers has had a good week on the field so far, leading the Green Bay Packers to a 24-12 win against the Los Angeles Rams. The victory improved the Packers to 6-8 and kept them alive in the postseason hunt. However, as good as this week was, it must be kept in perspective.
The Packers played against the Rams, one of the teams who have played worse than them this year. They still have a losing record and will most likely still miss the playoffs.
Aaron Rodgers threw for only one touchdown and had an interception that brought his season total to 10. That is more than the last two seasons combined. This was his fourth consecutive game with a passer rating below 100.
Seeing the 39-year-old struggle has been quite a shock to NFL fans who have always seen him as an elite quarterback. This is a player who is the reigning back-to-back league MVP. However, what seems to have been the reason for success is turning into a liability this year.
Much has been written about his hand signals and how tough they are to understand. Christian Watson missed one in the last game. The complexity of the whole thing can throw people off and be intimidating. But that is what sets him apart from other quarterbacks.
With veteran wide receivers like Davante Adams, Amari Rodgers and Marquez Valdes-Scantling all departing the Packers for newer pastures, it has made playcalling much more difficult for the Green Bay quarterback.
Now, former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Amari Rodgers has highlighted in an article that he felt the quarterback did not connect on a personal level. As knowledgeable as Aaron Rodgers is in football, he remains aloof on other matters. Amari Rodgers, who currently plays for the Houston Texans, said:
“He [Aaron Rodgers] does not really have many conversations outside of football with many people. So that kind of maybe played a role, just not being able to feel personable towards him, not at all connected, so you didn’t really feel comfortable to say things or communicate the way that you want. That played a part more than anything.”
Did Aaron Rodgers' detached personality help him during the COVID pandemic?
There could be a correlation between Aaron Rodgers' unprecedented success in the last couple of years, even at an advanced age like him, and his detachment. During the heydays of the COVID pandemic, with social distancing and other guidelines, most players might have failed to connect on a personal level.
That could have evened the playing field for the Packers' superstar because others would have also failed to do so. The coming weeks and seasons may offer clues.