Aaron Rodgers Speaks for First Time Since Packers Drafted Jordan Love and He Has the Right to Voice His Displeasure
Aaron Rodgers was put in an awkward situation by the Green Bay Packers during this year's NFL Draft, just how his selection in 2005 put Brett Favre in a similar situation.
The first-round selection of quarterback Jordan Love made it clear that the Packers were focusing on the future over winning with Rodgers in the present. He now has to act like a politician and be nice to the rookie, but he has absolutely earned the right to say what's on his mind.
Aaron Rodgers on the Packers' taking Jordan Love: "The general reaction at first was surprise, like many people. Not going to say I was thrilled by the pick, necessarily. But I understand the organization is not thinking just about the present, but the future and I respect that."
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) May 15, 2020
His goal is to push for as many Super Bowls as possible before his contract is up following the 2023 season. Now he has to worry about potentially being traded or let go in favor of Love getting the starting job before that, for obvious reasons.
Aaron Rodgers on Jordan Love: "He didn't ask to be drafted by the #Packers. He's not to blame at all. I had a good conversation with him the day after the draft and I'm excited to work with him."
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) May 15, 2020
Not a single football fan will blame Rodgers for this response, especially since he had nothing bad to say about Love. He was in the exact same position himself and knows it's a tough one. Nonetheless, it would still be hard to fault Rodgers even if he did openly speak out against the selection. He took the team to the NFC Championship Game last year and may have been waiting to see what piece the front office would add in the first round to help the Packers get over the hump next season.
Rodgers has won a Super Bowl, two MVPs, and has made the Pro Bowl eight times. He has the resume to voice his displeasure with anything at this point, though he treaded lightly with his first comments since the draft and it was the best possible response we could have gotten.