MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

The packers don’t win if Rodgers retires. He can come back the next season with no compensation to the packers

 

Then you have your future HOF QB at your disposal.

 

Aaron Rodgers has the Packers by the ballz and he knows it. He can do all the demanding/threatening he wants and get away with it in my opinion. If he decides to hang up the cleats, so be it... if he decides to play, the team will be forgiving and welcome him back with open arms. He seems to hold all the cards, I just dont like his style at all.

I wonder if not having an owner has some bearing in this too. If someone was in charge who had an, 'I dont take any shit' attitude, Rodgers may have been a bit more polite and thoughtful to the Packers orginization and its fans, who are the owners when you boil it down.

 

The latest...



It’s still unknown what Aaron Rodgers wants from the Packers because he still hasn’t said what he wants publicly. Indeed, he hasn’t said anything about the current situation publicly.

There’s nevertheless reason to believe that Rodgers — who is sufficiently brilliant to be presumed to have a plan — has been using other ways to send messages via the media. In recent days, for example, former teammates who have spoken with Rodgers have found their way to microphones with their characterizations of what Aaron wants. Obviously, if Aaron didn’t authorize guys like John Kuhn and James Jones to speak on the quarterback’s behalf, they risk landing on Rodgers’ personal sh-t list. (I’ve been there for more than a decade; like a hot bath, you get used to it.)

If that’s true, these former teammates could be laying the foundation for Rodgers to eventually yield in his desire to leave the Packers, given that the Packers aren’t inclined to grant his wish to be traded. And since it’s too late for Rodgers to personally put the toothpaste back in the toothpaste holder (not everyone says “tube,” as we learned this week on PFT PM), the next best thing could be using surrogates to gradually and persistently change the narrative.

Enter Kuhn, who appeared Wednesday on CBS Sports Radio. He outlined a path toward a resolution to the problem, and he pushed back against the prevailing belief that Rodgers wants out.

“I truly believe Aaron wants to come back to Green Bay, but he doesn’t want to do it on a lame-duck contract which, even though there’s three years on his contract if you really look at the terms of it, it pretty much sets up for a clean break at the end of the 2021 season for the Packers himself considering that Jordan Love is on a rookie salary,” Kuhn said. “So I think that he wants more insurance that he’s going to be a long-term starting quarterback option for the Green Bay Packers and that I believe is something that would intrigue him to make amends with the team and come back to this season.”

On Thursday, former Packers receiver James Jones appeared on NFL Network. He repeatedly called the situation between Rodgers and the Packers “fixable,” and that Jones doesn’t believe Rodgers will hold out.

If these messages take root, and there could be more in coming days from former or current Packers, a sense will emerge that the storm of reports from last week were overblown. Even if they weren’t. Even if Rodgers had every reason to knock them down on camera last weekend with Mike Tirico and declined to do so. Even if Rodgers left Tirico with the distinct impression that there is a “fissure” and a “chasm” between player and team.

The reality is that, if the Packers aren’t going to trade Rodgers, he has two options: Play for the Packers or play for no one (and give up nearly $30 million in unearned bonus money). He’s not inclined (obviously) to take his beef public personally, likely because he doesn’t want to become Public Enemy No. 1 in Green Bay. Unless and until he is, if he wants to play football, he’s going to have to play for the team for which he reportedly doesn’t want to play.

Enter players with whom he used to play, who can say enough to potentially soften the blow to his ego and pride that will happen when he shows up for work like Costanza the Monday after he quit.

NBC

 

LOL sorry I missed that.

 

lol

I get it. When you’re trying to catch up on a convo it’s easy to miss some details.

 

Lot of good thoughts on this subject. I see people arguing both sides of the debate in terms of who currently holds the power, and thats the fascinating thing to me, a very good case can be made so easily for either side of this argument. That suggests its finely balanced.

I would say Rodgers does hold more of the power currently, but the big X factor is Love and it just adds to the situation so perfectly that due to covid, no one outside the org has really seen him in practise so we dont know. I saw early whisperings that Love looked v unimpressive out the gate, another about flashes of Mahomes. The one thing im pretty sure of is if the Packers felt great about where Love is they would've already pulled the trigger and cashed in on Rodgers.

At this point the Packers prob feel if they could get one more year out of Rodgers then trade him next year and start Love that would be their best outcome. But i dont think thats going to happen. The dude is stubborn, or at the very least he has built up the rep of being difficult enough that if he says trade me or i retire, you have to believe it. It feels like a post June 1st trade is almost unavoidable at this point.


As for irishdawg's question over who is to blame, i think you can apply plenty to each side. Erin is a pain in the ass and a douch and basically the biggest diva in the league at this point. He's also the most pronounced example of this growing trend of QBs thinking they also deserve some quasi senior management position as it pertains to roster building. Personally, thats something i find very annoying and am totally against.

That said, the way the Packers have managed not just Rodgers but their approach to personnel and ultimately winning a title, has been a total joke for several years now. Bears fans know it well, the Packers are not nearly as good as they seem when Rodgers is back there. Remove him and this is an 8, maybe 9win, team. The Packers have squandered a top 1-2QB for years and shown a total lack of ambition to win a SB. At this point i think getting rid of Jerry Krause would benefit them quite a lot.

But it goes way beyond the GM. When i look at the Packers i see a team that has become totally spoiled. Maybe its inevitable that when you have 30years of HOF QB play you come to take it for granted and think it'll never end. But end it will, this offseason or in the next couple, and i am gonna love every second of the reality check when it happens. The odds of Love becoming another HOFer are extreme so that reality check is almost certainly coming down the pipe. And when it does they'll deserve it.

 

Justin Fields: Of course I’m doing everything I can to earn the starting QB job



Officially, the Bears are referring to Andy Dalton as their starting quarterback. Realistically, rookie quarterback Justin Fields wasn’t drafted to stand on the sideline.

Fields said today that he hopes to start and wouldn’t be the player he is if he weren’t going to do everything in his power to convince coach Matt Nagy to put him under center in Week One.

“Of course I think everybody on our team should be striving for a starting job, and if you’re not there’s no reason for you to be here,” Fields said. “So of course I’m going to do everything I can to get that starting job. It’s not up to me. Coach Nagy has a set plan for my development, but I’m just going to work hard, keep my head down and keep grinding it out every day.”

That is exactly what the Bears want to hear from the man they hope is their franchise quarterback — and they hope performs well enough in the coming months to start in Week One.

NBC

 

Vikings rookie QB Kellen Mond studying Kirk Cousins, trying to mimic him



Kirk Cousins remains the Vikings’ starting quarterback, but Minnesota drafted Kellen Mond in the third round, and that fueled speculation that some day Mond will supplant Cousins. For now, however, Mond says he’s just trying to learn from Cousins.

Mond says he’s been spending time watching film of Cousins to see how the Vikings’ offense works.

“Being able to watch Kirk on certain cutups . . . really enjoy watching his execution, his footwork, just watching how he’s able to go through reads and pretty much master the offense. The more I watch him, the more I’m able to mimic his footwork, his cadence, which is huge in the NFL. There’s so many things I need to learn, but I feel like I’m in a phenomenal organization with phenomenal talent and obviously can’t wait to get to work with Kirk also.”

Mond said Cousins contacted him after the draft and the two have had good communications.

“He was just congratulating me and telling me he couldn’t wait to work with me. I said the same,” Mond said. “When I got drafted, I knew what type of opportunity it was for me to be able to learn from a veteran, a guy who has been in multiple systems and been under center, playing in a great offense. Just be able to learn how he’s able to lead when he gets out here with J.J. [Justin Jefferson], Adam Thielen, Dalvin Cook. Just watching how [Kirk is] able to communicate and really just learn. Just him being a mentor and being able to watch him, that’s what I’m excited for.”

Mond had a very prolific career at Texas A&M, passing for 9,661 yards and running for 1,609 yards. As a rookie he may not play at all, but he’s optimistic that some time learning from Cousins will help him have a prolific NFL career as well.

NBC/PFT

 

This is good him wanting to learn luv that kind of attitude,the Vikings should have had a back-up QB it's long overdue cause the Vikings haven't one in a while....this is a good kind of pressure on Capt Kirk

 

Mike McCarthy: Dak Prescott will do most things in OTAs, full-go for training camp



Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott says he could play in a game right now, so it’s unsurprising that Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy doesn’t sound the least bit concerned about Prescott’s surgically repaired right ankle.

McCarthy says that when the Cowboys begin the on-field practices known as Organized Team Activities on May 24, Prescott will be good to go.

“I think he’ll do most things,” McCarthy said, via Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News. “There’s a plan in place that is coordinated with Britt [Brown] and Jim [Maurer] in the training room. But I know he feels really good. He’s had some excellent workouts here in the past couple weeks. I see him doing most of the work.”

By training camp, McCarthy says, he sees no reason Prescott wouldn’t be fully cleared.

As Prescott was carted off the field on October 11, his gruesome injury looked like the kind of thing that could linger into the following season. But everyone in Dallas sounds confident that Prescott will be good as new long before the start of the regular season.

NBC/PFT

 

Bruce Arians: Rookie QB Kyle Trask looks “fantastic” at Bucs’ rookie minicamp



Buccaneers rookie quarterback Kyle Trask vowed to compete every day in Tampa Bay, and so far head coach Bruce Arians has been more than pleased.

Arians said that Trask looked outstanding on the practice field at rookie minicamp, and if anything Arians needed to tell the coaching staff to back off and let Trask do his thing.

“I thought he was great,” Arians said. “I thought he was fantastic. He’s got three guys coaching the s–t out of him on each play, so they need to calm down and let him go. I’m really pleased with where he’s at right now.”

Trask will likely get plenty of time to learn behind Tom Brady before he takes meaningful snaps in a real game. Arians seems to think Trask is a quarterback who’s going to make the most of that opportunity, and be ready when called upon, no matter how many years from now that is.

NBC/PFT

 

Bears HC Nagy: Andy Dalton will 'get the one reps' in OTAs after strong rookie camp from Justin Fields

Justin Fields has been making a great first impression at rookie minicamp. He still has some work to do to earn first-team repetitions.

Bears coach Matt Nagy reiterated Sunday that Andy Dalton will be the team's No. 1 quarterback when organized team activities commence next week.

"Andy is the starter," Nagy told reporters. "Andy's going to get the one reps."

The plan beyond that is still being ironed out. Nagy said Dalton "is essentially like a rookie as well" after having been acquired just two months ago. The 11th-year veteran operated in markedly different offenses during his time with the Bengals and Cowboys. Therefore, he needs a healthy amount of snaps.

Of course, the learning curve is understandably greater for Fields. And so is the anticipation. The Bears traded up nine spots to grab the Ohio State product at No. 11 overall, instantly igniting a fanbase that wasn't expecting to land the dual-threat QB whom many evaluators rated No. 2 at his position.

Nagy acknowledged that he too has to curb his enthusiasm for Fields.

"I know that time is the biggest question right now for Justin and I completely understand that, because there is an excitement, there is that want for all of us to see what Justin can do," Nagy said. "We'd be lying to you if we didn't say that or believe that. But we got to make sure as we go through this thing that we also do what's best for the Bears and for Justin."


While Nagy and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor have yet to determine how they'll dole out the QB reps moving forward, a process that also includes Nick Foles, Nagy did specify two areas in which Fields must improve when he takes on his teammates on the other side of the ball this summer: speeding up his first-wide and post-snap vision. The former refers to breaking the huddle, ensuring skill players are lined up properly, locating the middle linebacker and getting the play off in time. The latter entails reading the defense and identifying disguises once the play begins.

How the first-rounder progresses on these fronts might ultimately determine when he plays.

"He's going to get a great opportunity to do that against our defense," Nagy said. "I think that's where we're going to have to see, are there a lot of mistakes being made? Or are there a lot of good plays that are being made? And is it natural and is it easy for him? That's what what we'll evaluate. You'll know when you watch it, you'll see it and we'll all feel it as coaches."

Sunday was Nagy's first opportunity to share a field with Fields. The fourth-year coach was forced to observe the first two workouts of rookie camp virtually after being a high-risk close contact of a family member who tested positive for COVID-19. He said Fields did a good job throughout the weekend of not being rushed as he executed his assignments throughout the weekend.

"When we were in our team periods, the speed on tape didn't look too fast," Nagy said. "That's a win."

It figures to be the first of many for Fields in Chicago.

NFL.com

 

It really sucks (for lack of a better word) that Justin Fields is in Chicago. I really believe in his ability to be a true NFL team leader and thats what scares me. A consistent QB with a running game to go along with a stout D, is not good news for this Vikings fan, but we will see what happens.

 

Frank Reich on Carson Wentz: I stick my neck out for people I believe in



When the Colts acquired Carson Wentz in a trade with the Eagles earlier this year, much was made of his relationship with Colts head coach Frank Reich.

Reich was the offensive coordinator in Philly before coming to Indianapolis and worked closely with the quarterback in that role. That work has left Reich with confidence that Wentz can bounce back from a dreadful 2020 season and lead the Colts to a winning season.

During a press conference on Monday, Reich was asked about the pressure he feels to make sure that Wentz fulfills that expectation because of the blowback that would come his way if it doesn’t work out.

“I think it’s a collaborative effort that we work with Carson,” Reich said. “You stick your neck out for players as a head coach or a GM or a scout or coach. We all do it. Obviously, as a head coach, sometimes you have a bit more say in it than maybe a position coach. But that’s what you love about it. I love sticking my neck out for people I believe in. I’m willing to put it on the line for players that you believe in. I believe in this team, I believe in Carson, so I feel good about it. I do know that his play will reflect the work that he does, it’ll reflect the work that our team does, it’ll reflect the work that our staff does, all the preparation. But I don’t mind being the point person on that.”

Reich said he cringes when people say that Wentz was broken by last year’s experience because of how many factors go into a quarterback’s success. He reiterated his belief that “the culture fit” will be the right thing for Wentz and there’s a lot riding on Reich being right.

NBC/PFT

 

Report: Patriots re-signing Brian Hoyer



The Patriots are re-signing veteran Brian Hoyer, Jim McBride of the Boston Globe reports.

It could make Jarrett Stidham the odd-man out.

The Patriots drafted Mac Jones with the 15th overall choice after re-signing starter Cam Newton in free agency.

Hoyer, who visited the Jets last month, has had three other stints in New England. He was with the Patriots from 2009-11, 2017-18 and 2020.

Hoyer started one game last season while Newton was on the COVID-19 reserve list. He was pulled for Stidham during that game and fell to the third spot on the depth chart over the rest of the season.

Hoyer has started 39 games for seven teams since entering the league in 2009.

NBC/PFT

 

Falcons QB Matt Ryan: 'I'm still playing really well and have a lot of good football in front of me'

Atlanta Falcons 36-year-old quarterback Matt Ryan said that he still has more "good years" left and that he's been fortunate to play for an organization where his voice has always been heard -- two important elements as to why he has not become disenchanted like a handful of other quarterbacks in the NFL.

"Everybody's situation is different but there's definitely been a shift," Ryan said Tuesday of the outspokenness of players like Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and others -- without naming them specifically. "Guys have become more vocal about certain situations."

The clock is ticking on Ryan's career, he acknowledged, but he's still capable of producing while learning yet another new system. New coach Arthur Smith is the third head coach he has played for and is at least the fifth play-designer/play-caller he was dealt with.

"I understand I'm not going to play forever, but I also have a mindset that I'm still playing really well and have a lot of good football in front of me," the four-time Pro Bowler said.

Ryan has been a productive player since being drafted No. 3 overall in 2008. He won MVP honors in 2016 and routinely is among the league's passing leaders. He said he did hear the "noise" about the club possibly drafting his heir this year. That didn't happen as Smith and new general manager Terry Fontenot gave him another weapon in hybrid tight end Kyle Pitts.

When asked how he would have reacted had the team drafted a quarterback, Ryan said, "I don't know what I would have done." He went on to say, "With a new staff, you never know when there is a transition what's going to happen. … I was told be a vet early in my career, 'You don't own your locker. You rent it.'"

Ryan said he had no pre-draft discussions about the Falcons' plans and didn't know who they were picking until draft weekend. That situation at least has some certainty.


One that doesn't is the future of perennial Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones. The Falcons have listened to trade offers for Jones -- and will continue to do so, according to a source. They don't want to trade Jones the player, but the more than $23 million salary cap hit he carries against a tight cap situation has them listening to teams willing to part with future draft picks, the source added.

Ryan said that he did not want to delve into the team's or Jones' business. He said that Jones is a "great player. He's a hell of a teammate. I love him. We'll see how things shake out, but he's probably impacted my career more significantly than any other player."

As for Pitts, Ryan said the new tight end has really approached learning Smith's new scheme the right way -- by trying to get better each day. Ryan didn't want to make any projections since everyone is just trying to figure out "how to line up," but the veteran quarterback championed Pitts' work ethic and approach.

NFL.com

 

Falcons definitely need a good/healthy Ryan in order to turn things around. He will have weapons.

 

Falcons definitely need a good/healthy Ryan in order to turn things around. He will have weapons.


I agree Will.......But you stop and think about 2017 Super Bowl.......Falcons were up 21 -3 at Half Time and then Brady went into Stupid Mode and won the game........you have to wonder did that destroy Ryan and his confidence moving Forward.

 

The Falcons have always been an on again off again kinda team. One year they go 12-4 and the next year (for no apparent reason) go 8-8. The talent has always been there. I can't figure it out.

 

Vikings are doing that also, especially over the past half dozen seasons.