Packers roster shows promise in first mandatory workouts of offseason
Green Bay held their first mandatory workouts of the offseason this past week. The Packers‘ minicamp showed off the developing talent on the roster and gave us a first look of what the team could look like if 2020 NFL MVP QB Aaron Rodgers continues his holdout.
On Tuesday, all eyes in national NFL media were turned to Titletown to see if Rodgers would show up for the mandatory camp.
Those close to the organization expected Rodgers’ eventual absence, but reports have yet to be released as to whether the Packers fined Rodgers the potential $93,000 or have waived the fines from the three-day camp.
Official: #Packers are conducting their first minicamp practice on Clarke Hinkle field, and Aaron Rodgers is not present. Not surprising, but still stunning to see. We’ll find out after practice if Rodgers’ absence has been excused. pic.twitter.com/wwuJFQQhUA
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) June 8, 2021
As for conversations about Rodgers’ potential return to the team, close friends and teammates Davante Adams and David Bakhtiari are keeping their lips sealed. However, they did voice their support for Rodgers no matter what he does in the end.
Davante Adams asked if thinks Aaron Rodgers will return to #Packers: "Honestly, I've got no expectations, man. I'm just being supportive of my guy and letting it unfold like it does. Obviously, I pray that he comes back. We're all pray that he comes back."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) June 8, 2021
Despite the confirmation of Rodgers’ suspected absence, there were plenty of positive happenings on Clark Hinkle field throughout the camp.
All-Pro LT David Bakhtiari, who tore his ACL in practice on Dec. 31, showed steady progress in his recovery as he worked out with a trainer on the sidelines as he had in during OTAs the prior week.
The team’s top receivers returned to practice, giving us a look at how they work with the other four quarterbacks on the roster.
Davante Adams and the rest of the veteran WRs who had skipped OTA are all at minicamp. https://t.co/ngHhPD9qOf pic.twitter.com/0XURPVk8Vt
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) June 8, 2021
With Rodgers gone, second-year QB and apparent QB1 heir, Jordan Love, took the majority of the reps behind center. After struggling with accuracy the first day of camp, Love put on a show for the organization on Wednesday with deep throws and completed drives.
What a stretch for Jordan Love:
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) June 9, 2021
* Wheel route to AJ Dillon right sideline for 30 yards.
* Free play deep to Lazard for 45.
* Deep corner route to Juwann Winfee for 30.
* Deep sideline to Aaron Jones for 30.
He was so 🔥 that TE coach Justin Outten started fanning him.
Hell of a catch in back end zone for Allen Lazard, ending 2-minute drill with 8-yard TD from Jordan Love on 3-goal. An even better 2-minute drill for Love. He converted 7 of 10 passes for 70 yards and the score.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) June 9, 2021
This has been by far Love’s best day we’ve seen with #Packers.
Head coach Matt LaFleur is taking Love’s performance with a grain of salt saying it’s important for Love to strive for consistency from play to play.
Love voiced his confidence in his preparation for the season in his first official press conference.
Jordan Love says he'll be "100%" ready to start Week 1 if #Packers need him: "That's what I'm here for. I was drafted here to play quarterback, so I'll definitely be ready Week 1."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) June 9, 2021
Second-year RB AJ Dillon showed off his ability as a receiver in camp. Having another RB with the same versatility as Aaron Jones could give the Packers a serious edge and the opportunity to run their offense in a new way.
Matt LaFleur says AJ Dillon's receiving ability can be "deceptive" as a big RB: "It's rare that you see a guy that size able to catch the ball as fluidly and naturally as he can."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) June 9, 2021
New Packers WR Juwann Winfree, acquired from the Denver Broncos last October, showed off the depth he can add to the WR position with a couple impressive receptions on Thursday.
One guy that stood out on offense besides Jordan Love today was WR Juwann Winfree. Mainly a practice squad guy last year and his dog kinda attacked me once getting out of the elevator in our building, but a nice day for him.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) June 9, 2021
The Packers brought in a couple new additions to the team when they signed QB Jake Dolegala and ILB De’Vondre Campbell to the roster on Wednesday.
Though the first practices of the season only give us a vague idea of what the team will look like Week 1, the Packers are showing a lot of promise and progress amidst their power struggle with Aaron Rodgers.