Does Rodgers Cultivate Relationships With Teammates?
By jasonperone
Earlier this week, Jordan Rodgers, the younger brother of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, spoke about their relationship during an episode of The Bachelorette. Before we delve into what was said, let me be clear about a few things and bear with me as I share some background. Here is what Jordan said on the show when talking about an upcoming visit with the show's star to meet his family:
“My middle brother won’t be there. . .Aaron . . . like I said, I have a great relationship with my brother Luke. Me and Aaron don't really have much of a relationship. It’s just kind of the way he’s chosen to do life. I choose to stay close with my family and my parents and my brother. It’s not ideal. I love him and I can’t imagine what it’s like to be in his shoes and the pressure he has, the demands from people that he has. Don’t have hard feelings against him, it’s just how things go right now.”
I don't watch The Bachelorette so I'm not overly familiar with how the content is portrayed. Also, anything said on a reality show needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Any TV show can easily be manipulated and edited to look and sound like something that will draw a bigger audience. While I don't think the comments that Jordan made were fabricated or even necessarily exaggerated, we don't know the true reasoning behind his thoughts. There are always two sides to every story and it's not very likely that we'll ever hear Aaron's because he has rarely talked about his personal life.
There is obviously some distance between the brothers and by Jordan saying that part of the reason why is because of how Aaron has "chosen to do life", it would appear that Jordan doesn't agree with or appreciate how Aaron handles himself in certain situations. This isn't the first time that we've heard a counter argument against Aaron by Jordan. After the Packers' win over the Seattle Seahawks last year, Aaron made some comments about God being on his team's side, which appeared to be a jab at Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who also alluded to God being on his side during the previous season's NFC championship game win over Green Bay. Wilson responded to Aaron's barb by saying that he tries to remain humble and take the high road in life and that everyone is entitled to their opinion. Jordan responded to it all by saying that his parents raised their kids to follow along with Wilson's philosophy. Clearly not in alignment with his brother.
We also know that Jordan apparently has an ex-girlfriend who may or may not have gotten the memo that he was going on The Bachelorette and wasn't too happy about it, calling him a cheater via Twitter. That ex-girlfriend happens to be close friends with Olivia Munn, so there's that.
On the flip side, Aaron was seen at several of Jordan's football games at Vanderbilt and reportedly has long been grateful to Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler for his help in mentoring his younger brother. Sounds like he's been supportive of his brother in the past. So again, while we don't know all of the details, we can see that it can be difficult to tell exactly what is going on. As we've said here many times before, we don't know these players as people. We see them as players and get occasional glimpses into their lives off the field (unless they decide to do a reality show in their spare time, ahem, Ocho Cinco, ahem).
Regardless and despite not having anywhere near all of the pieces, media and fans still try to complete the puzzle of what is happening with these players. Again, not drawing any conclusions about what is happening with Rodgers and his family, but it prompts the question of how well he develops and cultivates his relationships with his teammates and coaches. If he is this far removed from his own brother, how well does he get along with his teammates who he isn't spending holidays and family time with?
In early 2013 and after departing the Packers in free agency, receiver Greg Jennings was critical of Rodgers and his ability to support his receivers. He even went so far as to compare Rodgers' style to that of Brett Favre's, saying that Favre stuck up for his receivers while Rodgers was quicker to blame them for failings. Packers all-time leading receiver Donald Driver also chimed in on the subject and wasn't as pointed as Jennings, but didn't back away from the idea either. Back in 2013, Rodgers and head coach Mike McCarthy appeared to have a dust up on the sideline during a game in Cincinnati in which the Packers offense was unable to generate any success. We have also heard Rodgers talk about his trust with his pass catchers and how important that is in determining where the ball goes. In thinking about Favre's early days with the Packers, he often looked for the open guy (unfortunately sometimes that guy was wearing the other uniform) regardless of the name on the jersey. Back then, Sterling Sharpe was a big-time receiver and had been the team's best offensive player for many years at that point. Despite Sharpe's objection in not getting more passes thrown his way, Favre stuck with his philosophy of throwing it to whoever is most open. Rodgers seems to take a different approach, sometimes preferring to run or throw one away if his preferred guy isn't open.
The question has been posed before and this appears to be another opportunity to ask: Does Rodgers, the face of the franchise and a 12-year veteran, do enough to bring the team together and get more out of his teammates? Or does his insistence on gravitating towards those he trusts most continue to hold the team back?
Whether he wants to be a leader or not, Rodgers is looked at as one by the team, especially the younger players. He may not be the fiery, rah-rah speech type like a Ray Lewis was but his example and demeanor are key to the messages he sends to teammates as well as fans and the media. It may not be fair that he's judged on such a small sample of his life, but this is also the sample that the vast majority of us see. Rodgers demands privacy when it comes to his personal life but he also signed up to play pro football and that alone comes with a big spotlight. It's even bigger with his being one of the best in the game. And then add in that his significant other is a well-known actress and there is no shortage of opinions on how it all affects Rodgers' play.
Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. But with a younger generation of athlete who come in looking for more credibility and collaboration from their teammates, is Rodgers doing enough to get the most out of guys that the Packers depend on each year? They're typically one of the younger rosters in the league. Rodgers is one of the few pieces left from the 2010 championship team and without guys like Driver, Charles Woodson, Nick Collins, Jennings and Ryan Pickett around, he has become the cornerstone of the team and the leadership of it. We know he has a solid rapport with Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb but with young pass catchers such as Jeff Janis, Richard Rodgers, Jared Abbrederis and rookie Trevor Davis likely to be on this year's roster, we'll get another glimpse at how well Rodgers gels with his receivers.
Beyond that, how do those guys and his other teammates really feel about Rodgers? Do they truly appreciate and respect him or does it appear that they do what they need to do in order to win games and avoid each other in the hallways during the week? Maybe the bigger question is, does it even matter?
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Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts. You can follow him on Twitter here
Comments (32)
Michael David
July 15, 2016 at 05:45 am
For every negative comment that's been made about Rodgers, there's been a positive one from people I trust more. While Jennings, Finley, and now Rodgers' brother have made negative comments on their relationships with Rodgers, all of them have questionable bias. Jennings was upset at the time about the Packers' not resigning him, Finley has always been a diva, and Rodgers' brother has plenty of rumors about him not being the most upstanding guy either. As for Driver's comments, I think he was trying to tow the line between his friendship with both Jennings and Rodgers, and ended up making a comment that made little sense that sounded like a non-sequitur knock on Rodgers. Since then, both Jennings and Driver have clarified their statements. As for the McCarthy tension during games, that doesn't bother me. Rodgers is a competitive guy and in the heat of a game, I can understand why he might get frustrated. McCarthy has said nothing but good things about him to the public.
Even with all this negativity, which I think has been overblown by the media, he has been given incredibly strong compliments on his leadership and character from guys like AJ Hawk and Charles Woodson, two guys that I tend to trust their opinion more than guys like Jennings (who was emotional at the time) and Finley (who is incredibly immature). He also seems to have very strong relationships with guys currently on the team, including Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb (going to his graduation).
Rodgers' isn't perfect, and in your career there are going to be people that rub you the wrong way. However, he appears to be respected by most of the guys on his current team and some of the strongest leaders the Packers' roster has had with him as quarterback. We have absolutely no idea what is going on in his family life, so until we know more, I think it is unfair to try and connect it with a few things that bitter Packers players have said while walking out the door.
dobber
July 15, 2016 at 06:04 am
Much...ado...about...nothing...
Bring on training camp!
NashvilleCheesehead
July 15, 2016 at 06:11 am
Silly season, indeed!
Packer_Pete
July 15, 2016 at 06:24 am
It doesn't really matter what ant teammates or ex teammates say. It seems pretty clear from the actions on and off the field on the sideline (finger pointing after bad plays, the eye rolling, staring at teammates after bad plays, not even naming some teammates but overly mentioning others during interviews etc) that he may not have the best relations with some on the team. But why does this matter? It's like in a job, with some one gets along great and with others not so much. I would only be concerned if this has a big impact on the playing field, and I don't see a big impact at the moment...
And for the Packers, it really doesn't matter what a dude who isn't good enough to play in the NFL says, or does it? If his name was Joe Smith, nobody would give it a second thought...
NickPerry
July 15, 2016 at 06:50 am
Greg Jennings was offered more money at the start of 2012, less after the season. Then his sister takes to Twitter in week 17 against the Vikings and absolutely tears Rodgers apart. Clearly she was too busy "Tweeting" to notice her brother had 120 yards and 2 TD's in that same game Rodgers was being ripped. Well gosh Greg, are you REALLY surprised Rodgers didn't speak up? Besides is it really any of Rodgers business? You wanted Miami and beaches, you got purple and Ponder, EXACTLY what you deserved. Old Spice seemed to run away pretty quick too, didn't see you in a commercial wearing that ugly purple.
I've never cared for the finger pointing or dirty looks Rodgers does on the field but how else is he supposed to teach a young roster. I mean common, what's he supposed to do, put his arm around Janis or Adams and tell him 'It will be okay"? Brady drops F Bombs on the field and sideline all day, Rodgers points and gives dirty looks, who the heck cares as long as the end result is winning and this team has done a lot of that and has an excellent chance to do just that season.
Sorry, I can't even comment on a show like the Bachelorette, I mean are you kidding me? Whatever will sell the show, what better than capping on the best QB in the NFL to get the audience watching.
Handsback
July 15, 2016 at 07:45 am
Rodgers is a very cerebral QB. In fact I bet he has a pretty high IQ which has made him a HOF QB. Hate to say it this way, but I don't know any other way to do it....the NFL isn't loaded w/ guys that have high IQs. So there will always be issues between players that don't understand the whys and therefore of doing their jobs a certain way and those that can see it. That conflict exists in HS sports all the way to the pros.
Let me point out that both Brady and Rodgers haven't had great receivers for the most part. Brady had Moss (great)/Welker (not great but very good at that point) while Rodgers had Jennings (good)/Nelson (fair to good)/Driver (good) when he won the SB. Rodgers hasn't played w/ an ultra-talented player like Dez Bryant or Calvin Johnson. Brady has had two in Moss and Gronk. The point is they have made their receiver corp better because of either the system (maybe) or because they are very bright QBs. My speculation is that the smarter the QB, the less likely they tolerate dumb mistakes. So there will be tension between the QB and receivers because of their demand for perfection.
Just my opinion, but have seen it in my limited time playing football and lacrosse.
PETER MAIZ
July 18, 2016 at 04:34 pm
I agree that Rodgers has a high IQ and is, perhaps a workaholic. What I see Rodgers do to give gifted performances is that he sees the game in his mind before the game is played, a kind of "what do I do if this happens, what options do we have if this other happens", his brain is checking all possible scenarios, kind of like a great chess player. He is not one to depend on luck. Or maybe the "aliens" give him a bunch of great tips every week.
Some less experienced players react with fear to games coming up and would rather blur Sunday out of their minds and thus, may be not playing up to par. Rodgers is the ultimate competitor and a great strategist.
Since'61
July 15, 2016 at 08:50 am
Since the bachelorette seems to be the basis of this discussion it would appear that we have run out of topics about 10 days before the beginning of training camp. Rodgers like anyone else will get along with some players better than others. That will happen with anyone in a group of 53. Rodgers has high expectations for himself and those expectations get passed on to some of his teammates. The margin between victory and defeat is miniscule in the NFL, Rodgers knows this and gets frustrated with himself and his receivers when they don't play at a high level. The opposite is true when the Packers score on a big play like the 2 hail Mary passes last season. Did the players and Rodgers look like they didn't get along during those celebrations? Any chance that training camp can start tomorrow? Thanks, Since '61
Thegreatreynoldo
July 15, 2016 at 08:55 am
I don't think AR's relationships with his brother, family, or his SO are relevant. Few know the true dynamics of such relationships. His relationships with teammates and coaches are relevant, but again, hard to know.
"It's like in a job, with some one gets along great and with others not so much." Probably true, but I am not sure this is a valid comparison because AR is less like just another co-worker and more like someone in management or PR. Or is he?
A manager who assigns high profile projects to people on the basis of whether he likes them is a bad manager. AR directs the offense. Through his ability to audible, he in a sense determines the work assignments, and he makes the final decision on where passes are directed. It seems to me that AR must be doing most of those things well given his stats and GB's offensive success (up to last year, I suppose).
A manager who fails to praise or properly recognize subordinates who have done good work because he doesn't like them personally, and/or shields from criticism underlings who made mistakes because he likes them, is a bad manager. Since he is an NFL QB, AR is going to be making public comments. His reactions on the field don't bother me too much since they are made in the heat of the moment, without time for reflection, but even those immediate reaction gestures are not without significance. Some people need support and encouragement; others need to be challenged, etc.
I don't know whether AR cultivates relationships with his teammates. I think he needs to have a professional relationship with his teammates, sometimes as a bit of a mentor where appropriate. I don't think he needs to carouse with them (see Favre, Winters, & Chmura).
"Or does his insistence on gravitating towards those he trusts most continue to hold the team back?" I am not sure, but I'd direct this question more towards MM than AR.
jasonperone
July 15, 2016 at 10:14 am
Love this discussion so far! Yes, this reeks of the latter part of the offseason but judging by the number of takes here, it wasn't a total bust. Takes that are well-stated, too. This conversation has been had on many of the major radio shows this week as well and the varied responses are expected. Thanks everyone and enjoy the weekend!
Bearmeat
July 15, 2016 at 12:47 pm
Jason - I don't really care about ARod's relationship with his family. Until it affects his job performance, that's personal info. It's their business. Leave it alone.
Regarding his "leadership" with other teammates, he's a diva. He's shown a narcissism time and again that rubs me the wrong way. But the fact is, there are very very few people who are at the top of their fields, regardless of the specifics of their jobs, that aren't divas. It takes quite a bit of narcissism to push yourself to be that good - and the people who do so are often not balanced people. They're by definition "unbalanced" individuals.
Wilson, Brady, Peyton, Brees, Rodgers, Favre, Rivers, etc... all good QBs are IMO at least a little edgy personality wise. Sometimes they're complete A-holes. Rodgeres is about halfway between edgy and AHole in my perception. But that should be taken with a pile of salt, because I've never met him.
One this I will quibble with is your sentence about BF: " In thinking about Favre's early days with the Packers, he often looked for the open guy (unfortunately sometimes that guy was wearing the other uniform) regardless of the name on the jersey."
No. Just no. There are countless examples of him locking in on a primary receiver or his biggest target regardless of the play. This caused at least two seasons to end - 04 and 07.
Can't wait for camp!
stockholder
July 16, 2016 at 09:34 am
Relationships never matter when the "Team" gets outplayed in the playoffs. A-rod was never on the same page with his offense or coaches last year. The window is closing on A-rod much like Farve. Similar mistakes have been made , that were made in the Farve years. This game is about Money now, and TT knows it. TT is a very good GM, but he has cost the packers wins! The Defensive talent sucked in 04 and 07. Look at the turn over of players. They were outplayed! The draft and development did not work. (When his "TEAM" still required All-pro Defensive material. ) TT has made several good calculated guesses. But he will not spend draft picks or money for better. Look at the stats on defense during the TT years. Point your finger at him. TT is lucky that the division talent is weak. TT has placed the winning on the coach and The QB. How many "seasons" ended because the defense could not stop squat. When comparing Packers QBs, look at the opponent, schedule , and the All-Pros. Farve is the winner.
WKUPackFan
July 16, 2016 at 11:52 am
Jason, I have Bachelorette knowledge, having watched for several years with my daughter.
Keep in mind that the Bachelor/Bachelorette are ABC shows. Coincidentally, Jordan was recently named a SEC Network football analyst. Since The SEC Network is an ESPN partnership, and we know ABC owns ESPN, Jordan's Bachelorette appearance is, well, timely. Heck, Mel Kiper did a Bachelor Big Board for last season.
The weird thing is Jordan looks and talks so much like AR. It's impossible to know the real story from the shows, but it was sad to hear what Jordan said.
Bedrock
July 15, 2016 at 10:15 am
I'm not aware of Rodgers calling guys out in public. Maybe someone remembers, but did he ever say something in a press conference, or other public appearance, about Jennings or Driver or another receiver? If he had not, perhaps the "does not stick up for his receivers" part is entirely from team meetings. On the field, that's normal. I have no issues with his on field antics.
Mojo
July 15, 2016 at 10:22 am
The questions is: after training camp is over, does ARod extend a red rose to Jeff Janis?
Thegreatreynoldo
July 15, 2016 at 11:28 am
No, it will definitely be a blue rose, and AR will walk right past Janis and give the rose to Abby, after which all hell will break loose. Oh wait...
DrealynWilliams
July 15, 2016 at 12:45 pm
Ha!!
TarynsEyes
July 15, 2016 at 10:43 am
What's this thing called Reality Show ?
Is this something for those who have no life of their own?
Is this part of the television cable package people must pay for?
Comments from pretenders are now considered to have merit ?
YIKES!!!!
: )
Pack88
July 15, 2016 at 10:44 am
Sometimes subordinates are not happy with taskmasters and Rodger's definitely fits the taskmaster bill. There are many styles of leadership and all are aseffective as the individual, the cold aloof taskmaster (Rodgers)versus the big balls lets go out in a blaze of glory (Farve) are at polar opposites- all I care about is results. BTW I've worked for both types and while I loved the blaze of glory guy, I was most productive under the taskmaster and years afterwards the guy I respect most in life!
4thand1
July 15, 2016 at 03:13 pm
My idea of hell would be being forced to watch "The Bachelor ". Who cares if little brother is feeling left out, sounds like jealousy to me. Every great QB has it out with receivers from time to time. A WR can make a QB look like an idiot at times.
Bohj
July 15, 2016 at 04:33 pm
Cultivate relationship with team mates? Yes. I've read enough articles on various players where Rodgers gave them tips on defense and offense. Especially with the young guys.
All that Janis garbage everyone speculated about?........read nothing but articles about Rodgers complimenting his development all offseason.
On field antics? Guys weren't running their routes. Players have said that when they screw up...they get the "look". Not some whiney tantrum like Philip Rivers. I prefer Rodger's expectations of perfection. Lombardi said if you strive for perfection you get excellence.
As far as a relationship goes? Who cares? Just get the best out of everyone. Are you talking friends or working relationship? I'm sure there is a bit of both. But regardless, he's there to lead, not hold everyone's hands. This is football.
As far as his character? Bart Starr digs Rodger's character and citizenship. That's endorsement enough for me.
Tundraboy
July 15, 2016 at 08:51 pm
Rivers has always annoyed me, his whiny look I guess.
Bohj
July 15, 2016 at 04:40 pm
Plus.....any leader that does this with his free time certainly will never rub me the wrong way:
www.itsaaron.com
That's Packer people right there.
For those that don't appreciate his dry humor, penchant for sarcasm, and subtle jabs? Have you not lived in the Midwest long? I know the winters have become milder.....but Don't grow soft Midwest!
Tundraboy
July 15, 2016 at 08:49 pm
Sigh. 10 more days.
PaulRosik
July 16, 2016 at 12:03 am
Rodgers is a perfectionist. He gets miffed at people who don't put in the same level of effort he does and end up in the wrong place during the game. When you win its a good thing and when you lose its a problem.
And Wilson thinks he talks directly to God, so he deserves some ribbing when he attributes what happens in a game to God.
PETER MAIZ
July 18, 2016 at 05:06 pm
That was very stupid of Wilson as it is nothing more than his conjecture. However, I have to admit that Wilson is very, very talented. Almost to a Rodgers level. Just see what he did the second half of the 2015 season. Very impressive.
Larry Foster
July 16, 2016 at 07:37 am
As long as he's not raping or killing, I don't give a damn about his personal life. It doesn't matter If he does have relationship problems. It didn't seem to affect 2010.
Tundraboy
July 16, 2016 at 03:08 pm
Or driving around with guns and weed.
Larry Foster
July 17, 2016 at 08:08 am
Lol I'm fine with the weed.
Tundraboy
July 17, 2016 at 04:51 pm
Me too but driving around smoking it while also having serious quantity is not very bright. Brownies would have been a better choice.
PETER MAIZ
July 18, 2016 at 04:14 pm
Jordy is extremely talented as a receiver, I would say a top 5. This fact has spoiled Rodgers a bit. When the youngster WR's can't run precise routes and are out of place or can't break open, Rodgers can't use the extreme precision, which is his personal, unique talent. Without Jordy's incredible talent, Rodgers is limited. Rodgers and Jordy need the umbilical cord for it all to work. Nevertheless, hopefully, (and I'm not that hopeful) the other receivers step up. This, of course, excludes Cobb who is part of the unique relationship.
Point-Packer
July 18, 2016 at 05:37 pm
Who cares. Just as long as he's not that right wing bible thumping nut job, Russel Wilson. Which he's not. Thank god and Allah.