Time running short?
Rodgers, Adams ponder possible final run with Pack
Until this season, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers often referred to Hall of Fame cornerback Charles Woodson as his greatest teammate ever.
Now that title apparently belongs to Davante Adams, the receiver who has caught hundreds of passes from Rodgers over the last eight seasons. After a Christmas Day win over the Browns, Rodgers called Adams the “most dominant player I’ve played with.”
“When you start stacking up the numbers for Davante, it’s mind blowing,” Rodgers said.
But there’s one undeniable fact that remains in Woodson’s favor. Woodson played a key role on the 2010 Packers that won Rodgers his lone Super Bowl title thus far. Rodgers and Adams have teamed for 68 touchdown passes but no Super Bowl berths.
Their latest — and perhaps last — chance to change that comes in the next few weeks.
The Packers own the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed and can reach the Super Bowl by winning two straight games at Lambeau Field, where they haven’t lost all season. The Packers (13-4) open postseason play next weekend.
Both Rodgers and Adams care about their legacies and understand the importance of achieving the one goal that’s eluded the Packers over the past decade. The Packers have lost in the NFC championship game in four of Adams’ previous seven seasons, including each of the last two years.
Rodgers’ spot in Canton is secure as he contends for a fourth MVP honor. Adams is putting together his own Hall of Fame-caliber resume that could get a major boost with a Super Bowl appearance.
“Every time I get out there, I don’t care if I have 70 yards and two touchdowns, whatever, if something didn’t look how I wanted it to, I’m always thinking about what would a Hall of Famer’s take look like and how would he feel about his performance,” Adams said. “So, that’s definitely something that’s on my mind. And to me, we can say what we want, but I feel like it’s a matter of time. I’ve just got to keep working, keep putting it together, keep working and stacking and put a ring on my finger, and we’ll see how everything looks when it’s all said and done.”
Adams, 29, is the lone player in NFL history to have three seasons with at least 11 catches, 1,350 yards receiving and 11 touchdown receptions. The only other players to have at least 650 catches, 8,000 yards receiving and 70 touchdown receptions in their first eight seasons are Randy Moss and Larry Fitzgerald.
He understands the luxury of playing alongside Rodgers has helped him put up those numbers.
“I’ve played with the best quarterback to play this game, so it’s been amazing experience,” Adams said.
How long they’ll continue playing together remains uncertain, adding to the sense of urgency as the Packers begin this postseason run. Rodgers, 38, skipped the Packers’ organized team activities and mandatory minicamp during the most recent offseason in a standoff with team management. Adams’ contract is set to expire at the end of this season.
There’s a possibility neither will be suiting up in green-and-gold next season.
Rodgers says he won’t drag out any decision about his future, whether he chooses to return, request a trade or even retire. He’s complimented the moves general manager Brian Gutekunst made to strengthen the team this season.
Adams says Rodgers’ future could impact his own decision to stay or leave.
For now, Rodgers is appreciating the opportunity to make at least one more postseason run with the Packers, who selected him with the 24th overall pick in the 2005 draft.
“The special part about this year — about every year — is always the new guys and watching them come in with big eyes and seeing the personalities start to come out and develop as you get comfortable and start enjoying being a part of the team,” Rodgers said.
If this ends up being their last season together in Green Bay, Rodgers and Adams have made it one to remember.
Rodgers has thrown 20 touchdown passes without an interception over his past seven games despite playing with an injured pinky toe, though he expects to be at full strength for the start of the playoffs. Adams set franchise single-season records in catches (123) and yards receiving (1,553).
“It’s been a fun season,” Rodgers said. “Now, we’ve just got to find a way to finish it off with winning our last game.”