Rodgers says there won’t be an offseason of drama
Aaron Rodgers says he won’t drag out any offseason decisions regarding his future with the Packers.
Rodgers, 38, said he would make a decision after talking to his loved ones as well as Packers CEO/President Mark Murphy, general manager Brian Gutekunst and executive vice president/ director of football operations Russ Ball.
“I’m just savoring this year as much as anything,” Rodgers said Wednesday. “It won’t be something where I’ll drag it out for months and months. I’m not going to hold the team back from anything and once I commit — and if it’s committing to move forward here — it will be a quick decision.”
That would represent a change from last offseason, when Rodgers skipped the Packers’ organized team activities and mandatory minicamp in a standoff with team management before reporting to training camp.
Rodgers said he hasn’t ruled out anything, whether it be returning to Green Bay next year, trying to play elsewhere, or even retiring. Rodgers has spent his entire career with the Packers, who selected him out of Cal with the 24th overall pick in the 2005 draft.
“I think that I’m just enjoying this season for this season,” Rodgers said.
Reserve/COVID-19 list updates: Jets head coach Robert Saleh cleared COVID-19 protocols and returned to the facility for the first time since testing positive for the coronavirus last week.
Saleh, the former 49ers defensive coordinator, sat out the team’s 26-21 victory over Jacksonville on Sunday, forced to watch from a hotel room while tight ends coach Ron Middleton assumed the head-coaching duties.
The Jets had as many as 25 players on the COVID-19 list as of Tuesday, and got back nine Wednesday after they cleared protocols.
The Vikings returned running back Dalvin Cook from the list ahead of their game at Green Bay on Sunday night, but wide receiver Adam Thielen will be out after being placed on injured reserve. The Vikings (7-8) are in eighth place in the NFC, one game behind the 49ers and Philadelphia, who hold the final two wildcard spots.
Quarterback Taysom Hill and linebacker Demario Davis were among 11 New Orleans players who rejoined the active roster, but starting free safety Marcus Williams was placed on the list because of a positive test. The Saints started Ian Book at quarterback and were missing 16 players in Monday night’s 20-3 loss to Miami . ... Kansas City no longer has any players on the list after activating tight end Travis Kelce, linebacker Nick Bolton, right tackle Lucas Niang, cornerback Rashad Fenton, kicker Harrison Butker and punter Tommy Townsend . ... Buffalo’s top wide receivers, Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis; right guard Jon Feliciano and defensive end A.J. Epenesa were activated . ... Indianapolis activated guards Quenton Nelson and Mark Glowinski, defensive end Kemoko Turay and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. Quarterback Carson Wentz is still in protocols . ... Denver placed safety Caden Sterns, offensive tackle Calvin Anderson, wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland and wide receiver Tim Patrick on the list . ... Tennessee left tackle Taylor Lewan was activated . ... New England activated running back Rhamondre Stevenson and linebacker Harvey Langi. The Patriots still have six on the list. Cleveland placed former 49ers QB Nick Mullens on the list . ... Arizona activated punter Andy Lee.
QB updates:
Carolina head coach Matt Rhule says Sam Darnold will start at quarterback instead of Cam Newton on Sunday against New Orleans. Newton is 0-5 as a starter in his second stint with the Panthers . ... Quarterback Lamar Jackson is back at practice for Baltimore after missing two games with an ankle injury . ... Chicago quarterback Justin Fields practiced after missing a game because of an ankle injury.