GREEN BAY (WIS.) -- Aaron Rodgers spoke about how important it is to keep in touch with Jordan Love while he's away from the Green Bay Packers. He said he and Matt LaFleur have picked things up last year, and that Randall Cobb moved in after last week’s trade.Brian Gutekunst, his general manager, was the first to respond. He's known him for a long time and he described their relationship as a "work-in-progress."Gutekunst, the Packers' front desk, took the brunt of Rodgers' grievances when he returned to the team last Wednesday. Rodgers, Gutekunst were seen talking for several minutes during practice a week into training camp.Rodgers stated Wednesday that relationships don't form in a matter days. Gutekunst has been the Packers scouting team leader since 1998 and the GM since 2018. "There is a time when the respect grows, and communication follows. Conversation and flow are two of the best ways to build relationships with friends and family. It is impossible to talk to a friend for several months and then pick up where you left off. There is no communication break, no forced conversations, and you don't have to contact this person just because it's on the to-do list for that day."It's about having those conversations and wanting be in conversation like that. We've had a few conversations, and they've all been positive."Love was the QB1 while Rodgers was out of the offseason. This was Rodgers' role during offseasons, when Brett Favre was his backup. The Packers allowed Favre to skip offseason practice.Rodgers was certain that Favre would return to the game in these cases -- at least until Favre retired in 2008 (and then not). Rodgers stated that these experiences with and without Favre "shaped my career", and called the three seasons as a backup "an essential time of growth"Rodgers' actions were unknown in this instance.Rodgers stated that he tried to be like Love.Rodgers stated, "And then I just reached for him; I reached out to him a number times [to] check on his [and] see how [he] is doing." I didn't keep things from him. He knew where I was mentally, and what I was thinking. I hope he was appreciative of that."I felt that that was what I would want in that circumstance, just to hear from him. There's also a love, appreciation, and friendship there, just as it was with Brett and me. So I wanted him to know that I thought of him and checked in with him.Rodgers stated from the beginning that his beef with Packers was not personal against Love. He has shown that he takes his mentorship very seriously.Rodgers stated that he has a lot respect for Jordan and loves him. I went through it for 2 years, going in '06 & '07. I was the guy all offseason. I went through quarterback school, took all the reps and then Favrey came back and I'm back on my bench. I was fortunate to have gone through it and can understand some of his struggles. I try to remember that the whole time.Last week, LaFleur stated that he, Nathaniel Hackett, the offensive coordinator, and Luke Getsy, the passing game coordinator, would need to catch Rodgers up on any changes to the offense. Rodgers thinks it has gone smoothly.Rodgers stated that there are always things I want veto but that he has learned to choose his battles. "The best thing about Matt's and my relationship with Hack and Getsy is that the lines of communication between us are amazing. We talk through everything, and I believe we are just beginning to understand each other's personalities.It seems to have picked up where it left off last year with Rodgers' MVP performance. He was sharp right from the start of camp, despite not having any receivers while working out at home. He said that he actually threw with some NBA players, such as Davion Mitchell or Al Harrington -- much to everyone's surprise."Nah, nah. It's Aaron Rodgers, Packers receiver Allen Lazard stated. He's not a quarterback, he's a professional ball thrower.He is also a professional host until Cobb's family returns to Green Bay after last week's trade from the Houston Texans.Rodgers stated, "It's been great spending time with him before moving out of my home and the wife and children come up." "We've had a great time talking ball and catching-up on life over the past week."
