GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — It was Festivus in Green Bay on Wednesday, and Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers spent much of his nearly 32-minute news conference airing his grievances.
He explained why he stayed away from OTAs and mandatory minicamp. One of those reasons was his desire to serve as a recruiter and evaluator of free agents.
Rodgers also said the team didn’t have any plans for him beyond the upcoming season. He was also displeased by the way the team has allowed several star players to leave the team, some without any contract offer.
Rodgers wasn’t sure he’ll be a Packer beyond this season.
Elsewhere in the NFL:
— Quarterback Lamar Jackson has tested positive for COVID-19 and missed Baltimore’s first practice of training camp. Coach John Harbaugh announced Jackson’s positive test after practice Wednesday and said running back Gus Edwards also tested positive. He would not go into much more detail about either case.
— Deshaun Watson was on the field for the start of training camp with the Texans. The future of the quarterback is uncertain after he asked for a trade in January before 22 women filed lawsuits alleging that he sexually assaulted or harassed them in March. Houston police and the NFL are investigating the allegations, but no charges have been filed.
— Colts right tackle Braden Smith has signed a four-year contract extension that will make him one of the league’s highest-paid offensive linemen. A person with knowledge of the deal says Smith will make $72.4 million with $42 million guaranteed.
— The Jets held their first practice of training camp without their hoped-for franchise quarterback. Zach Wilson remained unsigned Wednesday and is the only first-round draft pick to not have a deal done after San Francisco signed quarterback Trey Lance earlier in the day.
