Coach Matt LaFleur Sends Clear Message About Aaron Rodgers’ Absence From OTAs

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur knows that the team’s OTAs are voluntary, but that doesn’t mean that he wouldn’t prefer to have the entire roster in attendance, including back-to-back MVP Aaron Rodgers.

Telling Madison.com: Each guy has that right to make that choice. If you’re asking me, I want everybody here. Some of the thought processes may have changed over what’s transpired over the last two years, especially with our COVID situation where we didn’t have OTAs.

But my thing to our guys is, ‘Well, neither did anybody else. So everybody who was playing had the same circumstances that they were dealing with.’ Now, with everybody being open, you’d like to see as many guys as possible here.

Matt LaFleur seemed genuinely annoyed today that so many veterans opted out of OTA’s.

Worth noting Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen both made parts of OTA’s ahead of their televised golf game.

— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) June 1, 2022

A number of high-profile Packers decided against participating in Green Bay’s offseason training activities. Including Rodgers, Pro Bowl corner Jaire Alexander, LB’s Preston Smith and Rashan Gary, Sammy Watkins among others.

“I’m not comfortable with anybody not being here. I’d like ‘em all here,” LaFleur went on to say. Reiterating, “Again, it’s their choice. Next week is mandatory minicamp, so there’s consequences obviously for not coming.”

As is the case for most solidified NFL players, not showing up for voluntary OTAs isn’t much of an issue. But with new weapons for Rodgers to familiarize himself with, it’s never too early to get some work in.