Tag: John Kuhn

John Kuhn provides some clarity on Aaron Rodgers-Packers conflict

Former Packers fullback John Kuhn provided an update after speaking with Aaron Rodgers.

Former Green Bay Packers fullback John Kuhn provided some clarity on the current conflict between the organization and quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

“I’ve talked with Aaron Rodgers,” Kuhn told CBS Sports Radio. “He’s conflicted because this man loves to play the game of football and this man loves to be a Green Bay Packer and this man truly sees careers, he’s watched friends leave…he’s watched all these things play out in front of his eyes. He’s seen some situations that weren’t finished the way they should have. He’s trying to take his own destiny into his own hands.”

Has Rodgers ruled out a return to Green Bay?

“Absolutely not,” Kuhn said. “I still believe there’s an opportunity at a resolution here. It’s going to take two men that are dug in right and trying to meet in the middle where they’re both happy.”

The other character in this drama is Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst, who traded up for Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 draft and has apparently balked at giving what Rodgers wants contractually.

“I truly believe Aaron wants to come back to Green Bay, but he doesn’t want to do it on a lame-duck contract…I think he wants more insurance that he’s going to be a long-term starting quarterback option for the Green Bay Packers, and that I believe is something that would intrigue him into making amends with the team and come back this season,” Kuhn told CBS Sports Radio.

Rodgers has three years left on his current contract, but the Packers have a clear exit on the deal after the 2021 season.

Kuhn believes Rodgers is using the leverage of his NFL MVP season in 2020 to get what he wants from the Packers.

“Right now is his best chance, at the age of 37, to try and ensure his career in Green Bay does get to 40,” Kuhn said.

Asked to give a percentage on the chances of Rodgers returning to the Packers in 2021, Kuhn said between 70-75 percent, but he also acknowledged the business side of the issue could eventually end with Rodgers being traded.

Kuhn said “drastic measures” may be required to get a resolution. He also doesn’t think Love will need to be traded and was hesitant to believe Gutekunst needs to be removed to make it work.

“I really don’t think it’s beyond repair,” Kuhn said.

This might be the most positive update on the situation so far, even if Kuhn is confirming the conflict and the obvious hurdles still in front of both parties.

Jamize Olawale keeps returning to Cowboys team that doesn’t trust him

FB Jamize Olawale has been more known for his special teams play as a Cowboy, but can Mike McCarthy turn him into another receiving threat?

The Cowboys offense has many mouths to feed. Between Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper, 2020-first rounder CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Blake Jarwin and Tony Pollard, Dak Prescott will have no shortage of downfield targets this season.

Can Mike McCarthy and Kellen Moore unlock yet another offensive weapon in FB Jamize Olawale?

Originally a 2012 Dallas UDFA, Olawale broke into the league as a Raiders practice squad player. He spent six seasons in Oakland before returning to the Cowboys, in essentially a delayed swap of fullbacks. Just days after Keith Smith left Dallas to sign with the Raiders in free agency, the two teams agreed to send Olawale back to Dallas with a 2018 sixth round draft pick, in exchange for a Cowboys 2018 fifth.

A tight end in college at North Texas, Olawale arrived back in Dallas seemingly with some offensive upside. In 2016 with the Raiders, Olawale put up 274 yards from scrimmage (227 receiving on 12 receptions), and scored three total touchdowns. However the Cowboys have mostly utilized Olawale as a blocker and special teamer.

Over the past two seasons in Dallas, Olawale has seen well over twice as many special teams snaps as offensive (539 ST snaps vs 232 offensive snaps).

In Oakland, Olawale recorded 39 receptions for 425 yards over six seasons, while as a Cowboy, he’s managed just two catches and 13 receiving yards. He also has zero rushing attempts with Dallas, compared to 19 as a Raider.

He hasn’t particularly helped his cause, as Olawale has been on the receiving end of memorable and costly miscues in each of the past two seasons.

Still, Olawale manages to contribute in other ways. He’s chipped in 16 special teams tackles since 2018, and this offseason the Cowboys exercised his contract option to bring him back for the 2020 season.

While Dallas might be content with Olawale for his special teams contributions, he also represents an under-utilized skill position player. Olawale has shown flashes of being an offensive weapon over his career, and McCarthy certainly has experience working a fullback into his offense.

Former Packers fan favorite John Kuhn was a backfield fixture of nearly all of McCarthy’s previous coaching tenure. Over nine seasons in Green Bay, Kuhn made three Pro Bowls and earned All-Pro honors in 2014, recording 1,158 total yards and scoring 23 touchdowns.

While the traditional fullback has largely been phased out, the position is experiencing a bit of a resurgence, as more teams are beginning to utilize different types of runners and multi-man backfields. 49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk has made four straight Pro Bowls, and last season recorded 239 receiving yards on 20 catches in just 12 games, showcasing just how productive the position can be within a modern offense.

Olawale may not have the blocking abilities to be a Kuhn or Juszczyk-level difference maker, but he does have the athleticism and capabilities to do more damage on offense than what he’s shown far in Dallas.

If McCarthy can open up more opportunities for him, perhaps Olawale will emerge as yet another offensive threat for the Cowboys to torture defenses with.

This is part of our Countdown to the Regular Season player profile countdown. 

| Antwaun Woods | Tyrone Crawford | Trysten Hill | Jalen Jelks |
| Dontari Poe | Randy Gregory | Gerald McCoy | Dorance Armstrong |
| L.P. Ladouceur | DeMarcus Lawrence | Blake Jarwin | CeeDee Lamb |
| Cole Hikutini | Dalton Schultz | Noah Brown | Sean McKeon |
| Ventell Bryant | Jon’vea Johnson | Blake Bell | Justin Hamilton |
| Cody Wichmann | Tyron Smith | Ladarius Hamilton |
| Neville Gallimore | Terence Steele | Joe Looney | La’el Collins |
| Zack Martin | Brandon Knight | Ron’Dell Carter | Wyatt Miller |
| Connor McGovern | Tyler Biadasz | Adam Redmond | Luke Gifford |
| Leighton Vander Esch | Justin March | Connor Williams | Sean Lee |

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Former Saints fullback John Kuhn enters quarantine with good humor, stocked fridge

John Kuhn is sheltering at home against the coronavirus, and the former New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers fullback is fully prepared.

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John Kuhn didn’t play very long for the New Orleans Saints, having worn black and gold in just 18 regular season games against 189 with the Green Bay Packers, but the burly fullback left a great impression on the city and its fanbase. With his charismatic demeanor and easy-to-bellow last name, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome often filled with cheers whenever he took the field.

Now comfortable in retirement, Kuhn is tackling the challenge of the novel coronavirus like many Americans by entering quarantine, self-isolating himself to prevent the spread of infections in his community. And when faced with the prospect of grocery stores limiting sales of pantry staples like bread and milk (and toilet paper), Kuhn did the sensible thing and stocked a refrigerator full of beer.

Kuhn shared a look at his hoard from his official Twitter account, which features a nice balance of big-box macrobrewery options (like Bud Lite and Michelob Ultra), a sampling of trendy hard seltzers (Kuhn is playing both sides in the Truly-versus-White Claw debate, a savvy move), and a spread of craft beer offerings. It’s great to see him pay patronage to his Green Bay days with a case of Wisconsin-based Spotted Cow, but his time in New Orleans surely left an impression if the nearly-full shelf of Abita (produced in nearby Covington, La.) is any indication.

Jokes aside — and this is very on-brand for an NFL fullback — it’s also good of Kuhn to use his platform to advocate for following stay-in-place rules issued by local governments. If we’re going to overcome the coronavirus, it’s vital that more people follow Kuhn’s lead and prepare for a lengthy stay at home. Whether they choose to keep spare fridge full of adult beverages (to be consumed responsibly, of course) to help pass the time is their decision.

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