GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Reports are now saying Aaron Rodgers intends to suit up for the Green and Gold this season. But what did fans outside of Lambeau Field think about the offseason roller coaster of drama?
“He’s played it really cool, and has ever since day one when Brett came back. He didn’t say a word through the whole thing, he played it the best he could,” said Scott from Minneapolis. “Everybody else is putting words in his mouth and making speculation as to what is wrong, what’s upsetting apparently.”
“There’s nothing to talk about in our little instant media world these days, so we need some sound bites to get people moving. I don’t think he said too much, and whatever,” said Ian of Princeton, Wisconsin.
“Players leave, players have come here like Reggie White, Charles Woodson, Brett Favre was traded. Sports are just different. I’m a Rodgers fan, but if he’s wants to go somewhere else, let him go and get some draft picks or whatever to move on,” said Tom Driscoll of Austin, Texas.
Some of the fans were in town for the annual shareholders meeting on Monday. Others were there for training camp. And some just wanted a tour of the football ‘Mecca’.
But all of them had opinions on what Rodgers’ return might look like.
“My gut says Wednesday he’s just gonna waltz in and not say a word,” Scott said. “Business is business. We don’t see the business part of the NFL, we see the player and the game perspective.”
“It’s not a simple issue. It’s like so many things in life, you cannot fit that answer on a bumper sticker. ‘He’s supposed to get $40 million, just go to work!’ – Well, he doesn’t work at an auto assembly plant. They only have a certain number of years to perform at this kind of level,” Driscoll said. “It’s such a business and he’s very competitive. I believe he’ll come back ready to play, 100-percent.”
“Comes back, he’s playing well. He’s not gonna mess around, for sure,” said Mark of Little Canada, Minnesota.
“All to prove a point and avoid the noise and say – ‘Hey, look at all this drama that is out there and I don’t even have to do anything. People are just looking for something to talk about, and I’m gonna come play football.’ I hope that’s what happens, and maybe we can finally get over that NFC championship hump,” Ian told WTAQ News. “If he’s doing what I think he’s doing, it’ll be just fine. Relax, right?”
But not everyone was overtly optimistic. Even fans that were siding with Rodgers on the reported issues weren’t sure about the impact the public drama could have in the locker room.
“I think he’ll be here,” Jeff from Neenah said, “[But] I think the whole attitude team is going to be affected by everything that’s going on, and I don’t see them as being as cohesive as they were last year.”
Only time will tell what may happen this season. Packers training camp officially kicks off on Wednesday.
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