After returning to Green Bay this year following a dramatic offseason, Aaron Rodgers made it known that he’d like to be more involved in roster and personnel decisions that “affect [his] job.”
Over his long tenure with the Packers, Rodgers has seen many players come and go, all part of the cruel business football can be. Though he understands the business aspect of the game, Rodgers has grown frustrated with the lack of input the organization has given him in important decisions being made.
One of the biggest decisions the Packers’ front office made that upset Rodgers was the choice to cut wide receiver Jake Kumerow.
Last training camp, Rodgers publicly praised Kumerow for his efforts and production in camp. However, the organization made the decision to release the wideout the day after Rodgers spoke highly of him. The timing of the decision and the move itself didn’t sit right with him.
“If you’re going to cut a guy who was our second best receiver in training camp last year, maybe run it by me. See what I feel. I might be able to change your mind,” Rodgers said of the situation. “Just to be in the conversation makes you feel you’re important, you’re respected.”
Buffalo eventually picked up Kumerow and signed him to their practice squad. He caught one pass for 22 yards and a touchdown with the Bills in 2020.
After Rodgers made the decision to return to Green Bay and shared his frustrations publicly, GM Brian Gutekunst said that the QB has “earned that seat at the table to have a voice” in major decisions.
A Voice in… Bronson Kaufusi?
Just how much input is the Packers’ front office willing to give Rodgers to keep him happy is the big question.
In his press conference Wednesday afternoon, Aaron Rodgers said he was a “big fan” of tight end Bronson Kaufusi, who is fighting for a roster spot.
The Ravens drafted Kaufusi in the third round of the 2016 draft. He began his NFL career as a defensive end, but converted to a tight end in 2019 while playing for the Jets.
After Rodgers had good things to say about Kaufusi, ESPN reporter Rob Demovsky told Rodgers he couldn’t wait “to see what Kaufusi does in Buffalo this year,” making a joke about the Kumerow situation. The remark got a smile and laugh out of Rodgers, who responded, “Jesus, Bob.”
Though it was one of the funnier moments of the press conference, the situation is also worth delving a little deeper into.
The decision the Packers make in the coming days/weeks about whether to keep or cut Kaufusi could show us how much input the Packers are willing to give Rodgers now.
The Packers’ tight end room is deep and talented, featuring Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis, Jace Sternberger, and Josiah Deguara, to name a few. Deciding how many tight ends to keep on the final 53-man roster will not be easy for the front office.
Though there will be many decisions made before the August 31st deadline, a decision on Kaufusi could be the most telling.
Stay tuned, Packer fans! This could be interesting…
[pickup_prop id=”9943″]
For more Wisconsin Sports Content…
Follow me on Twitter @Mara__Allen and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content! For the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here. Check out our merch page here and use promo code Wisco at check out for $1 off + free shipping!
