Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements isn’t at all concerned about the participation status of four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers during the offseason workout program.
At this point, it remains unclear if Rodgers will be in Green Bay for any portion of the program, but Clements understands his decision either way.
“Aaron doesn’t need reps this time of year,” Clements said Thursday. “Obviously, it’d be nice to have him here. But he’s seen these things a thousand times. He’ll be ready to go when training camp starts.”
Rodgers, 38, wasn’t present for the offseason workout program last year and still was named the NFL’s MVP.
The situation is certainly far different than a year ago. The drama between player and team has dissipated greatly, and Rodgers’ happiness with the organization and in Green Bay is no longer a headline story, but the Packers are now entering a new era in the passing game after losing top receivers Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling this offseason.
A big part of the early summer in Green Bay will be focused on integrating a number of new receivers into the offense, including veteran Sammy Watkins and three draft picks.
Time together in May and June might help ease the transition once training camp arrives in late July, but Clements is confident that Rodgers will have plenty of time during camp to get on the same page as his new receivers, especially if the new players use the offseason program to digest the offense and learn from mistakes before Rodgers arrives.
The future Hall of Famer did make a surprise appearance in Green Bay while in Wisconsin to watch the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this month.
None of this is a surprise to the team. Rodgers’ new contract dropped his workout bonus each year to just $50,000, suggesting his participation during the voluntary portions of the offseason program is no longer expected or needed.
Rodgers being away means more reps leading into training camp for Jordan Love, who is entering his third NFL season, and backups Kurt Benkert and Danny Etling. Clements is putting all three young quarterbacks through a slimmed-down variation of the old quarterbacks school once implemented by former Packers coach Mike McCarthy.
The real work for the MVP begins once camp opens.
“He’ll be ready to go, he’ll be eager to go,” Clements said. “He’s at a different stage of his career now where he’s taking care of himself and working on what he thinks he needs to work on physically. He looked good when I saw him. He’ll be ready to go.”
