One of the ugliest divorces the state of Wisconsin ever saw was one involving $108,000,000: Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers severing ties after a nearly two-decade run together. But through this separation, did Rodgers give parting shots to his former team? Or did he send well wishes?
Aaron Rodgers Sent Well Wishes Toward the Packers’ New QB1
Before Rodgers reworked his Packers contract with the New York Jets on Tuesday, which is now in the $75 million ballpark, it turns out Rodgers did indeed send a message to his past employer — directed toward the new QB1 of the Packers, Jordan Love.
The 2020 first-round selection revealed that his former teammate sent him a text message on the eve of training camp.
“Aaron reached out to me last night, and that’s exactly what he said, ‘be yourself. have fun, enjoy it,’” Love told reporters (h/t Matt Scheidman of The Athletic). “Obviously, it’s my time now, and he said just be yourself. I mean, that’s all you can do, that’s been the message from everybody, ‘don’t try and be anybody else, don’t try to be Aaron,’ things like that, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
That quote can also help put to rest any rumor that there were growing tensions between Love and Rodgers — which had many believing that both weren’t seeing eye to eye, tracing back to when the Packers drafted the Utah State passer.
How Did Jordan Love Fare During Wednesday Camp?
The Packers joined the rest of the league in reporting to training camp during the week of July 24. And for fans who flocked to Packers practices and for the media scrutinizing the 2023 iteration of the team, all eyes are fixated on every movement Love makes, from throws to body language.
Accuracy is one area many eyes will be fixated on regarding Love. Well, ESPN Packers reporter Rob Demovsky caught that on film during the Packers’ QB individual drills.
Jordan Love showing off his accuracy early on. pic.twitter.com/2nsG9sAi5W
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) July 26, 2023
But, during quarterback and wide receiver group sessions, it became the perfect time for fans and media to watch a potential budding partnership take place between Love and Romeo Doubs — as filmed here by Packers staff writer Wes Hodkiewicz.
Jordan Love to Romeo Doubs, the first of many this summer? #Packers pic.twitter.com/132Mp9gkOW
— Wes Hodkiewicz (@WesHod) July 26, 2023
There are Pack fans and NFL followers who want to know if Love is also building chemistry with Christian Watson. That was caught here by Ryan Wood of USA Today.
Jordan Love working with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs while #Packers run special teams drills on the other end. pic.twitter.com/NFXPDPzFRx
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) July 26, 2023
Obviously, practices are much different than game situations. But Love making his first attempt at building chemistry with his likely No. 1 and No. 2 wideouts is off to a good start. And now, hearing well wishes from an old, familiar teammate should give the new face of the Packers another early spark.
