Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was notoriously hard on young wide receivers. Even All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams experienced Rodgers’ wrath at one point as a rookie. A lot of these instances were a result of Rodgers’ expecting his young receivers to just pick up what he expected them to do.
That has not been the case during the New York Jets’ offseason team activities and the early days of training camp. Even their wide receivers coach does not know what all of Rodgers’ legendary hand signals all mean, so the future Hall of Famer has been taking his time to teach his new pass catchers. As a result, on of his former Packers teammates, Allen Lazard, has said Rodgers has been easier to work with in New York than he was in Green Bay.
Allen Lazard Says Aaron Rodgers “Is Trying to Help Guys” on the New York Jets
If there is anyone currently participating in Jets training camp that would know the difference between Rodgers’ attitude towards his teammates on the Jets compared to the Packers, it is Lazard (Randall Cobb is on the PUP list). Lazard played with Rodgers in Green Bay for five seasons, and stated that his quarterback is a great deal easier to work with in New York:
“He’s opening his arms, putting his hand out, trying to help guys, trying to teach,” Lazard, who has played five seasons with the four-time MVP, recently said , via Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. “That’s not to say he was hard to play with in Green Bay. He was a little more like, you have to pick it up. He’s a little bit slower here in realizing there’s a lot of new players. He’s taking his time. I’m seeing it.”
This is an attitude that Rodgers, too, felt he needed to change after leaving Green Bay. He admitted in a recent interview that the way he treated his young pass catchers on the Packers was a mistake.
Former Green Bay Packers Teammates Have Different Perspectives
It is interesting to see the different perspectives of playing/learning from Rodgers from current and former teammates. Amari Rodgers has been very vocal about how hard it was for him to play with Rodgers, and Romeo Doubs talked about how Rodgers refused to hang out with the younger players.
On the other hand, other former teammates have described pleasant experiences when working with Rodgers. Former backup quarterback Brett Hundley said in an exclusive interview with Wisconsin Sports Heroics that Rodgers still makes himself available to teach him.
What it comes down to is a clash of personality types. Everyone has co-workers they find hard to work with, while others do not have the same issue. Rodgers might say that it is part of the human experience.
That being said, the fact that Rodgers himself has called the way he treated Packers receivers in the past “a mistake” is an indicator that he may have taken that “tough love” approach too far on some occasions. He is not going repeat that mistake in New York, which is great for the Jets.
Hopefully the Packers can reap some benefit by Rodgers playing 65% of their offensive players and getting an extra first round pick in 2024.
For the latest on the Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers Trade in Aaron Rodgers News, navigate to our detailed coverage. Uncover insights on Rodgers’ transition, his impact on the Jets, and the Packers’ future plans.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Aaron Rodgers talk to anyone in his family?
No, Aaron Rodgers does not talk to anyone in his family. In a recent interview, he discussed his estranged relationship with his family, expressing hope for reconciliation but acknowledging that it's a unique journey for each of them.
What is Allen Lazard's salary?
Allen Lazard's salary with the Green Bay Packers is approximately $3,986,000 per year. His 1−year contract includes a base salary of 1,080,000 in 2023, along with a signing bonus of $10,920,000. In terms of the cap hit,it will be $3,264,000, and the dead cap value is listed at $22,000,000.