LOOK: Aaron Rodgers loves reporter's subtle joke on Packer's drama
Aaron Rodgers chuckled as a local Packers reporter dropped a funny callback reference linked to Jake Kumerow in a press conference on Wednesday. If you tuned into Rodgers’ blunt press conference when he arrived at Packers camp, you may be familiar with Kumerow’s name.
This tweet from ESPN’s Jeff Darlington focused on the former NFL MVP’s displeasure with how the Kumerow situation was handled, especially considering the wideout was released days after receiving praise from Rodgers.
How does all of that tie into today’s exchange?
Aaron Rodgers loves Kaufusi
Recently, Rodgers told Peter King of NBC that he loves Bronson Kaufusi, currently listed No. 6 on the depth chart.
“Part of what I love is getting to know these other guys—our tight end, Bronson Kaufusi,” he told King. “I love him. One of the happiest guys ever.”
On Wednesday, Rodgers took to the podium.
ESPN reporter Rob Demovsky delivered the zinger, just days after Rodgers professed his love for the No. 6 tight, Kafusi.
“I can’t wait to see what Kaufusi does in Buffalo this year,” Demovsky said while joking.
That hit Rodgers to his core. He said, “Jeez.” And tried to hold back the laughter, but you could tell that Rodgers didn’t see the joke coming at all.
Rodgers wants to be involved in personel decisions
Entering the 2021 NFL season there were major questions facing the future of Aaron Rodgers’ career with the Green Bay Packers. The day Packers training camp began many of those questions were answered by Rodgers himself as he aired his grievances with the team he had played his entire career. One major point of contention was that Rodgers did not feel that the Packers were giving him the respect he had earned by including him in personnel decisions.
An early indicator that the Packers were making concessions was a trade made to bring wide receiver Randall Cobb back to the Packers locker room. They engineered a trade with the Houston Texans to receive Cobb that general manager Brian Gutekunst claimed was only looked at because of input from Rodgers.
Rodgers now seeks to use this newfound influence to pressure the Packers into signing their former linebacker Clay Matthews.
“BRING HIM BACK,” was all the caption from Rodgers read over a photograph of Matthews.
While it appeared to be as simple as Rodgers helping a teammate who is still looking for an NFL team to join, the circumstances surrounding the Packers organization brings new focus onto Rodgers’ words. Matthews was with Green Bay for ten seasons before signing with the Los Angeles Rams in free agency in 2019. At the time, Matthews stated he was shocked when the Packers told him they would not be re-signing him. According to Matthews, he was even prepared to take a pay cut if it would keep him with his team.
With Aaron Rodgers on public record with his frustrations at the way Green Bay has treated veteran players, it’s no surprise that would pressure his team via social media.