Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hasn’t needed to provide evidence for why he wanted veteran receiver Randall Cobb back in Green Bay.
Cobb’s been supplying the proof every day throughout training camp, according to the NFL’s MVP.
“There’s been so many moments throughout camp where you’re like, whoa,” Rodgers explained on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Wednesday. “Like, whoa, that was really (expletive) smart. Or, whoa, that was an amazing play. Or, wow, he’s still athletically super gifted. Or, I’ve never seen a shallow cross run that precisely. There’s been one thing every single day that he’s done that a lot of people have said, wow, that’s why 12 wanted him so bad. That’s why he’s going to be an important part of what we’re doing. We need him. 100 percent.”
At Rodgers’ insistence, the Packers traded a sixth-round pick to the Houston Texans for Cobb at the start of training camp. Cobb, who spent his first eight seasons in Green Bay, departed after the 2018 season as a free agent and played the last two years in Dallas and Houston.
Rodgers dismissed the idea that pushing for Cobb to return added any extra pressure on the situation. In fact, he’s happy that a lot of teammates and staff that weren’t around in 2018 are now getting a chance to see him up and close in personal.
Getting Cobb back has provided Rodgers with a trusted ally and veteran slot receiver. The Packers quarterback said he feels “great” about the team’s top four receivers, which includes Cobb, Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard.
Rookie slot receiver Amari Rodgers has had some “overwhelming days,” per Rodgers, but that comes with the territory as a rookie receiver in a complicated offense. And he said the rookie will eventually be the team’s future in the slot.
For now, the position is Cobb’s. The veteran has 563 career catches, with the majority coming from Rodgers in a Packers uniform. If he can stay healthy in 2021, he could catch a lot more passes from the Packers’ quarterback.
“It’s nice to have Cobb-o back. He’s had a great camp. We gotta keep him healthy this season. Excited to see what he can bring to the squad,” Rodgers said.
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