Cory's Corner: Aaron Rodgers Would've Been Scrutinized For Leaving Camp

Tom Brady's 11-day absence highlights a huge double standard. 

What if Aaron Rodgers did what Tom Brady did? 

Brady left his team for 11 days during training camp and was never really criticized. And the mean reason is because Brady owns more rings than a jewelry store. 

What if Rodgers left the Packers for 11 days? I mean, Rodgers went to camp and really was a solid leader for being so open and transparent about the team and his new band of receivers. He has praised the defense and head coach Matt LaFleur about his ability to lead so many different men. 

Yet, we all know the answer. If it was Rodgers, he would’ve been talk radio fodder for weeks. His leadership style would’ve come into question, how he isn’t focused on winning and how he wasn’t dedicated to teaching a new crop of young wideouts. 

That’s a huge double standard. Brady gets a pass because he’s won so much and because he just turned 45. This is likely Brady’s last season and now the New York Post is reporting that Brady is having marriage problems.

I am really impressed with Rodgers this training camp. After losing a home playoff game for the second straight year and signing a three-year $150 million contract, he knew that all eyes would be on him. People wanted to see how he would respond with exponentially more pressure on him than he’s ever had. 

And the best part is that Rodgers knows that he doesn’t have to win ballgames. He’s got a top five defense, which will compete with the 2010 defense as the best unit Rodgers has ever had. 

Whenever I see Brady in press conferences, it really looks like he doesn’t want to be there. Remember the old saying, if you are thinking about retiring, your decision has already been made. Brady retired on Jan. 29 and then on March 13, he decided to come back

“At this stage, it’s like 55% yes and 45% no,” Brady said when he opted to return to Tampa Bay. “It’s not 100-0. That’s just the reality. “It’s not that I’m not 100% committed, it’s just as soon as I make the commitment to do it, it’s like ‘Ugh. All right, here we go.’ It’s like running a marathon. You can’t decide two weeks before the marathon, ‘Hey, I’m going to start running.’ We got right to free agency and I felt some pressure to do it and talked to the team and organization, and it all worked out.”  

That doesn’t sound like a guy that really wants to go out there and play. He has plenty of things on his mind right now and the last thing he wants to do is get hit by 270-pound heat seeking edge rushers. 

Which is exactly why his 11-day absence is a big problem because he left already. He has a pile of rings, but how much do all those rings mean for the majority of guys in the Buccaneers’ locker room that have never won one?

If Rodgers did that, criticism wouldn’t be a heavy enough word. “He doesn’t care about his teammates. He left them high and dry.”

But it’s perfectly fine for Brady to do it. Or is it?
 

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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3 points
 

Comments (36)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
egbertsouse's picture

September 03, 2022 at 07:14 am

Yeah, maybe seven rings gets you some leeway. Ya think?
Also, Brady got some criticism from the sports talk world but basically kept his mouth shut. If Man-bun gets criticized he goes on Tank-Top’s show and whines about the woke mob and cancel culture picking on him thereby making it a million times worse. Nobody likes a whiny multi-millionaire.

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cdoemel's picture

September 03, 2022 at 03:38 pm

You call it whining, some people calm it truth talking.

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stockholder's picture

September 03, 2022 at 07:39 am

Rodgers would be, and will be, scrutinized for everything. He replaced Brett Favre. Is unmarried. And is rich.
He's been the face of the Packers. And No matter how many wins he gets. The biggest ones are the super-Bowls.
And unlike Brady. His replacement is one step behind him. So he must do as he's told, and not be part of any problems.
If he talks, who listens? I mean really listen. Like a EF Hutton stock commercial. Where people stop what they're doing.
Rodger's makes the Packers good. He's the best at what he does. Deal with it.

8 points
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NickPerry's picture

September 03, 2022 at 08:09 am

Interesting piece Cory, and it's 100% true. Hell, we were upset Rodgers didn't show up for OTA's AND he took some shit from different sites as a result of it. Had Rodgers missed 11 days of TC, Packers sites would be slaughtering him and to be honest, I probably would be too. Hell, If they lay an egg in Minnesota next weekend I'm sure missing OTA's will be brought up numerous times.

IMO it clearly sends a message Tom Brady doesn't have to adhere to the SAME rules others do on that team. I understand Brady has won 7 SB and as a result, gets a certain amount of leeway. But he was just off work for the past 8 months, since the Bucs lost in the playoffs. He retired, unretired, and still had 4 months to go on vacation afterward. He didn't need to miss TC. Personally, I hope this created a shit load of animosity in the Bucs Locker room and the cliff we keep waiting for Brady to fall off of is right in front of him, his very NEXT step.

Even if Rodgers had a 2nd or even 3rd SB title on his resume he'd still be raked through the coals if he missed ANY TC let alone 11 days. People don't really care much for Aaron Rodgers. I think these last few years have turned some people, especially after the whole immunized thing. Me, personally, I don't really care much for Aaron Rodgers the person. But he does give the Packers the best chance to win so as a Packers fan I LOVE him as our QB. He WAS in TC and he was being a solid leader, at least from what I've read.

Hopefully, with this defense, this running game, and a quick adjustment to the NFL for a few rookie WRs, he can win one or two more and as a result, that's ALL we talk about. Not OTAs and TC.

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PeteK's picture

September 03, 2022 at 08:55 am

Nick, you hit on the main reason, the character is somewhat lacking in certain areas. As proof is Brady leaving NE, which was executed quietly and with class. I also don't remember hearing /reading about any contract or personnel disagreements. Brady deserves an earned pass.

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PatrickGB's picture

September 03, 2022 at 09:18 am

Every single player in the game has a different personality. The more talented he is the greater the scrutiny. I don’t know Aaron Rodgers personally but I think that if I met him he would be like many of my quirky friends and relatives. However, unlike them he seems a lot smarter and plays a premier position in sports. My friends say a lot of outrageous things now and then but I still like them even when I disagree. My opinion is that we pay way too much attention to the personal lives of people in sports, and entertainment. It’s like all those people who hang on every word and action of the Royals and the Kardaisians. Get a life!

10 points
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mnbadger's picture

September 04, 2022 at 07:59 am

perfectly summarized, PGB.
GPG!

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mrtundra's picture

September 03, 2022 at 08:56 am

Maybe Brady, the GOAT(Got On Another Team), is looking for a source of ayahuasca(?) in the Tampa area so Brady fans can say his psychedelic visions are better than Rodgers'. Between the two QBs, Rodgers is the guy I'd want leading my team. Thank God, I'm a Packers' fan! GO PACK, GO!!!

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PatrickGB's picture

September 03, 2022 at 09:08 am

There are a lot of big mouths in media. They think that they are the fount of wisdom. Their followers love them and the rest tolerate them. They assume that they have no bias. But they do.

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cdoemel's picture

September 03, 2022 at 03:57 pm

Mostly, who cares? You’re mad about Brady missing TC why? The organization gave him the time off. What’s it to you? Rodgers was upset a year + ago for a good reason and it got worked out. He and Gutey appear to be on good working terms. Rodgers has said that repeatedly. You call it whining why? Because you don’t think an employee should ever have an opinion? Even when it’s obviously a great idea? As usual, the whining is coming from actors not in the scene.

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LLCHESTY's picture

September 04, 2022 at 12:29 am

Yeah, we all know he got time off so he wouldn't have to answer a bunch of questions about the Dolphins losing draft picks. No coincidence that the 3 times teams have been penalized 1st round picks Brady has been involved.

SCUMBAG

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MooPack's picture

September 03, 2022 at 09:19 am

I don't do any social sites like FB, etc. ,but this story has been all over, even in main media for a few days. Seems Tom and wife Gisele are in a pretty big fight over exactly this. His unretirement. She's pissed. So much that she's left to re-pursue her own career. They have 3 kids. They probably have a nanny, but leaving kids for extended periods of time with little to no parent is not a good look. Especially when he said he wanted to spend more time with his family when he announced retirement.

Not an excuse, merely an interesting observation. I'm not too worried about the Bucs this year. Tom's focus is split, unless he can compartmentalize his attention come game day. We'll see if/when the loses start to pile up if he can maintain the desire to play again.

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LLCHESTY's picture

September 04, 2022 at 12:39 am

Meh. The wife is good cover. He just didn't want to answer some tough questions.

https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/miami-dolphins-lose-two-draft-picks...

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HarryHodag's picture

September 03, 2022 at 09:50 am

Left unsaid was what is apparently happening between Brady and his supermodel wife. While all sides in public deny it, apparently Giselle was not happy Tom went back on a promise to retire. Since Brady is Brady he could take two weeks off to try to calm his wife down. A couple of reports indicate Giselle left for Costa Rica. That's their business. The Buccaneers realized Tom wouldn't gain much from two weeks of training camp and if he could repair his home life it would be beneficial this season. Apparently it's still at an impasse.

Aaron Rodgers took most of the off season last year away from Green Bay with his well documented disputes.
He got a lot of scrutiny. Being single, his excuse to take two weeks off from training camp likely would not have been met with the same type of reaction from the Packers, but then again, he has them from a point of power, so they probably would have said ok. The elite QB's in the league have the power to move the teams to soften their approach. If some UDFA wanted the same thing they would have cut him. Can't do that with Rodgers.

I did think what would of happened if Bart Starr had asked Vince Lombardi for two weeks off from training camp so he could vacation with his wife Cherry. Starr might have been booted into orbit.

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Bure9620's picture

September 03, 2022 at 09:51 am

Yes agreed. If Rodgers were to leave camp he would heavily criticized. Brady screams his ass off at recievers and narrative is "look how competitive he is" the same thing would be true if Rodgers were to do this, though Rodgers has invited alot of this too.

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Coldworld's picture

September 03, 2022 at 09:56 am

Any franchise or even starting QB (if mortals could get away with it) would and should be. That’s true whether it is was Rodgers, Mahommes, Brady or whomever.

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dobber's picture

September 03, 2022 at 03:49 pm

There's no going out on a limb in this article: he was scrutinized for not showing up for voluntary off-season OTAs--you know, the ones he contractually didn't NEED to show up for...

When it doubt, write an ARod or WR article...

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TarynsEyes's picture

September 03, 2022 at 09:58 am

I'm not sure why Cory thinks this is an issue. Does Cory want Rodgers to take 11 days away from camp to prove an equality test? Has Cory or others never asked to be excused from their respective jobs for personal reasons.

Players are excused from camp all the time for various reasons under the label of 'Personal' with time lengths varied. The team knew and approved the time, and I'm pretty sure the Packers would do the same for Rodgers if need be,

How often is it said by many that it's hoped a player finds his way for whatever incident happens in his life while a player, and now those same have an issue with Brady taking time to do the same.

What Brady said was truth. He's 45 and there's a lot of stuff going on, and he needed to focus on it, as should others as witnessed every day in the real world.

11 points
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Spock's picture

September 03, 2022 at 05:37 pm

Yikes! I've found myself agreeing with the last 5-6 comments from Taryn. I know you don't care, but you've gotten thumbs up from me lately. Hopefully, this will continue. I find most of your comments to be kind of a "Debbie Downer" type, but when you give a reasoned well thought out response to an article I feel I should acknowledge that!

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Johnblood27's picture

September 03, 2022 at 08:00 pm

Fascinating...

\ _
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TheVOR's picture

September 03, 2022 at 10:01 am

I just said this in a different national media source. Basically the media is constantly harassing GB and Aaron Rodgers. They want Rodgers divorced from the Packers organization so badly, that they're constantly on him, on the Packers front office, creating BS and trying to call them out, trying to make him miserable. Why? Because the small town Packers have been hugely competing and dominating the NFL since 1993, and they hate the idea that their big media markets don't have a QB that is as intelligent, or prolific, as Aaron Rodgers. What's even better, is Rodgers is so intelligent, he knows exactly how to defuse their opinions and make them look stupid! It's awesome! They're so sad that the Cowboys, or Jets, or Giants can't compete, and we just keep winning with a 4 time MVP HOF QB. I personally love to see them try to divide, something the media is now actively doing daily.

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jannes bjornson's picture

September 03, 2022 at 11:46 am

Some of the sports opera hacks couldn't even work the shovel on a ditch crew if punted from the microphone or podcast.

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TheVOR's picture

September 03, 2022 at 10:01 am

I just said this in a different national media source. Basically the media is constantly harassing GB and Aaron Rodgers. They want Rodgers divorced from the Packers organization so badly, that they're constantly on him, on the Packers front office, creating BS and trying to call them out, trying to make him miserable. Why? Because the small town Packers have been hugely competing and dominating the NFL since 1993, and they hate the idea that their big media markets don't have a QB that is as intelligent, or prolific, as Aaron Rodgers. What's even better, is Rodgers is so intelligent, he knows exactly how to defuse their opinions and make them look stupid! It's awesome! They're so sad that the Cowboys, or Jets, or Giants can't compete, and we just keep winning with a 4 time MVP HOF QB. I personally love to see them try to divide, something the media is now actively doing daily.

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jont's picture

September 03, 2022 at 10:51 am

It seems that if you're famous, you're criticized if you say something and criticized if you don't say something. Brady has his share of detractors too. Yes, Rodgers would take a lot more grief for the same action, but such is the media world; clickbait, the prevailing narrative, and lazy writers recycyling the same trope (see cheeseheadtv comments, key words 'rodgers is a douche') have made it easy for me to switch off quite a few sites and writers.

FWIW, all I hope is that Brady gets through whatever the trouble is and gets back to playing good football.

3 points
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LambeauPlain's picture

September 03, 2022 at 10:59 am

Can't wait until vyqueens week finally kicks off.

Not seeing this as a story angle of Brady vs Rodgers.

Brady wasn't heavily criticized but Rodgers would have been? Really? If the same circumstances, just what would Rodgers have been attacked for?

In fact, Cory should take his best shot at Brady and criticize him for his 11 day absence. What would that look like...Brady actually put his family before his job?

5 points
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Mike Rossmeier's picture

September 03, 2022 at 11:55 am

Gisele being miffed might be the best thing happening for the Pack this year. If mama ain't happy, nobody, even the immortal Tom, is likely happy.

2 points
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dobber's picture

September 03, 2022 at 12:06 pm

"Aaron Rodgers Would've Been Scrutinized For Leaving Camp"

Next...

C'mon, we've finally just seen rosters set and some jockeying for developmental types. We finally have some idea what the depth chart might look like. We know more about the personnel other teams are fielding. And we get...this? Really?

8 points
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Lphill's picture

September 03, 2022 at 12:31 pm

Brady also had a head coach fired , the Rodgers haters here and their are many , love the off field drama like his hairstyle and girlfriends etc… it’s hysterical reading their comments like they are from mean girls or something , I guess some just can’t be happy with football related news , hell one little girl man here even trolls my Facebook page .

3 points
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Leatherhead's picture

September 03, 2022 at 12:33 pm

I don’t care about Brady, and I’m not worried about Rodgers. I am 100% confident that if he’s protected and has time to do his job, we’re going to be fine.

8 points
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LeotisHarris's picture

September 03, 2022 at 04:32 pm

Cory, I appreciate a guy out looking for a pot to stir as much as an army of potters, but you've really tilted at windmills *and* thrown the baby out with the bathwater here. LLCHESTY has checked the data and Tom Brady does NOT have more rings than a jewelry store, so your hypothetical holds as much water as something that can't hold water. May be a sieve or a funnel, whatever works for you.

That said, I think you may have stumbled into a recurring column; "What If? with Cory." Maybe next week we could discuss if 12 would be afforded Jordan-like grace if he left football to reach for his MLB dreams with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers?

3 points
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Spock's picture

September 03, 2022 at 05:53 pm

LOL, Loved this take on Cory's "article" seems more like an off season Click bait article (I know Jersey Al would disagree about the "click bait" designation but he and I have different opinions on what constitutes "click bait". Al seems to feel like an article that has a title which doesn't much relate to the article is "click bait" and that Cory's articles are meant to "generate discussion". I feel that an article that has an outrageous premise is click bait and that (most) of Cory's articles are of this type. Opinions vary and CHTV allows those to happen and I can't deny that Cory's articles DO generate more discussion so I'll just leave it at that.

4 points
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Johnblood27's picture

September 03, 2022 at 08:04 pm

Timber Rattlers and AR?

Only if AR's old man was executed for his gambling debts and the commish covered it up with a change of sports misdirection...

...but, THAT could never happen, right?

0 points
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ricky's picture

September 03, 2022 at 09:55 pm

Actually, Brady's absence was talked about, and analyzed, extensively. Would Rodgers have gotten more coverage? Maybe. We can speculate, but since it was Brady who left, and not Rodgers, we'll never know for sure. I googled "Brady leaves camp" and got a lot of articles.

2 points
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PhantomII's picture

September 04, 2022 at 06:04 am

You get scrutinized when you MASSIVELY UNDERPERFORM in the biggest moments and highest stakes are involved. You get scrutinized for wining MVP and not even getting the chance to go to the Super Bowl. Brady does not have this problem.

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Since'61's picture

September 04, 2022 at 11:21 pm

Moving on... Thanks, Since '61

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barutanseijin's picture

September 05, 2022 at 04:04 pm

Rodgers will have a right to bitch about a “double standard “ when he has 7 rings

1 points
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