Tuesday is the day that fans of the Green Bay Packers have been looking forward to but also perhaps dreading for months: Veterans report to training camp. Which means, in theory, would should all get an idea if the unhappy Aaron Rodgers will play this season for the Packers – sportsbooks still have various Green Bay futures off the board. There have been multiple reports on Monday that Rodgers will indeed play for the team and report to camp, even if perhaps not Tuesday.
The NFL Network was the first to report on Monday that the ice was thawing between Rodgers and Packers officials. Team President/CEO Mark Murphy and general manager Brian Gutekunst spoke Monday at the annual shareholders meeting at Lambeau Field, and needless to say Rodgers was a popular topic.
Gutekunst said they've been talking with Rodgers and his representatives to resolve his issue with the club, which sounds like it's down to a contract-type thing. Gutekunst also included Rodgers in his preview of the 2021 season, listing him first as one of the offensive starters returning. Murphy said the Packers are committed to Rodgers beyond 2021. The team has been willing to rewrite his contract so that he has more guarantees; there had been reports Rodgers wants $90 million guaranteed over the next two years.
As one Packers beat writer noted, it wouldn't be the worst thing if Rodgers showed up to camp late as it would give presumed backup and second-year QB Jordan Love some valuable first-team reps. Rodgers would be fined $50,000 for each camp day he misses, and under the new CBA teams can't forgive those fines.
The first Green Bay practice is Wednesday. It now sounds as if Rodgers actually will be there as the two sides are close to a new deal and that the Packers will also trade for Texans receiver Randall Cobb, formerly of Green Bay, as Rodgers requested that. Who would have thought Randall Cobb would factor into this?
William Hill earlier today had dropped the Packers into a +140 co-favored role with the Minnesota Vikings to win the NFC North, but now Green Bay is back to a -120 favorite with Minnesota +220. Still no Packers win totals or playoff odds, but those should be forthcoming once Rodgers shows up. Rodgers is a +1000 second favorite with Buffalo's Josh Allen to win a fourth MVP Award.
The Pack had been 3-point underdogs Week 1 in New Orleans but that's down to -2 with the Saints losing star receiver Michael Thomas to surgery and defensive tackle David Onyemata suspended six games. Top cornerback Marshon Lattimore also could be facing suspension.
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