Randall Cobb details real reason behind Aaron Rodgers-Packers breakup in 2023
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers enjoyed a relationship that lasted almost two decades, but the breakup between team and player wasn't as pretty as their relationship. And nobody can really understand what happened.
Yes, there were frictions, especially after the Packers used a first-round pick on a new quarterback. But after so many great years, their relationship could've ended on a better note. For wide receiver Randall Cobb, however, the reason behind the breakup between player and team was all about wanting to try new things before retirement:
I think it was time. I think, when someone is somewhere for two decades, I think that a taste of something different and exposure to something different is good. Green Bay, I think it was time. They felt that Jordan [Love] was ready. They were ready to put him in that situation. They had developed him. And it was his turn. They're not looking at the short-term, two to three-year plan - they're looking at the long-term picture. That's what most businesses do. They know that they're going to have probably some growing pains with a new, young quarterback coming in. They felt good enough about him where they were like "okay, it's time to make this move". [From 1:25:23]
Aaron Rodgers' 2024 comeback: Jets to kick off the season against the San Francisco 49ers
The quarterback suffered an Achilles injury just four snaps into 2023 and missed the rest of the year as a result, which dashed New York's dreams of making the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
Rodgers was traded from the Green Bay Packers and brought a boatload of hope to a franchise that has seen Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith, Zach Wilson and Sam Darnold become their hope of franchise quarterbacks in the past 15 years. While Rodgers isn't getting any younger, his quality is undeniable.
The only thing that New York Jets fans want this season is to have hope. To dream. To feel that their quarterback isn't a problem for the team - he's already a great player and just a season with him would be better than anything they were put up to in the last 15 years.