It’s no secret the Green Bay Packers are extremely thin at wide receiver this season. Two rookies, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs saw extended playing time in Week 1, along with journeymen Sammy Watkins and Randall Cobb.
Missing from the equation, however, was second-year wide receiver Amari Rodgers. The team’s third-round pick in 2021 did not see a single offensive snap, although he returned kicks.
On Wednesday, a reporter asked Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers how Amari Rodgers fits into the team’s offense.
“Yeah, he’s returning for us now. That’s all I got on that,” Rodgers said.
If that sounds terribly harsh, the video of Rodgers’ response somehow makes it look even worse.
Here’s the video of his response from https://t.co/jY7zCj3xgq (question from @KyleMalzhan) if you want to see exactly how he answered: https://t.co/xLB6DLTjY9 pic.twitter.com/ARWrzjiAe9
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) September 14, 2022
It’s clear from the four-time MVP’s comments that Amari Rodgers is, if not in the doghouse, at least in the place where Green Bay residents keep their pups to prevent them from freezing in the frozen tundra. That’s a surprising fall from grace for a wide receiver the team chose out of Clemson in the third round (No. 85 overall) last season. Rodgers played sparingly in 2021, logging only four receptions for 45 yards.
Packers’ followers took note of the star quarterback’s blunt report on his teammate.
There’s no “out of context” ing this one. Bleak for a second year player in an offense that could use some dynamic ability https://t.co/hlOPmHgJD6
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) September 14, 2022
I've said in the past: If it wasn't year 2, Amari wouldn't have made it out of camp. https://t.co/z5IVNnv7YW
— Mike Wickett 🇺🇲🎙🏈🏀👨👧👧👩👦🤘🚀 (@mikewickett) September 14, 2022
Video is even worse https://t.co/17ZVR21iyw
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) September 14, 2022
AKA – He blows…. Like anybody with a brain or eyeballs could have told you 12 months ago.. https://t.co/zsRrAPwbf4
— Ryan Horvat (@RyanHorvat) September 14, 2022
Jeez he looks like a dictator. Got that franchise in a chokehold. https://t.co/KMFkw8ggpK
— PJ Green (@PJGreenTV) September 14, 2022
Bottom line: That’s a harsh take on Amari Rodgers’ career prospects from the quarterback who has made even ordinary receivers look great during his time in Green Bay.
[Matt Schneidman, The Athletic]
