It’s a new year with new and unusual challenges for NFL players. Veterans have to deal with a drastically different whole season than they are used to, but for rookies who are just entering the league, there is no prior predicate that they should refer back to.
For Jordan Love, AJ Dillon and Josiah Deguara, this training camp is all about acclimatizing to the Packers’ offense and getting ready to contribute as and when their number is mentioned. However, each of these players has had opportunities to work with a living legend, and each has found different ways to absorb the wealth of knowledge that Aaron Rodgers brings to class and the practice field every day.
Again, AJ Dillon, the Packers ‘second-round draft pick, has some good role models within his own position group to look at, and he talked a lot about Aaron Work and Jamaal Williams’ work ethic and talent in interviews with reporters via Zoom on Thursday. But he knows the eye of the starting quarterback is important, especially since he works on his hands and provides protection.
“Every time I get some word from Aaron, I just take it and really respect what he says, because I know what he’s saying will make me ten times better,” Dillon said. “I just try to limit my mistakes and play loose, and if I make a mistake, do it at full speed.”
Helping Rodgers stand up will be a critical component to earning significant playing time as a rookie, and Dillon had some good and bad moments in pass pro drills on Thursday, when the Packers practice at Lambeau Field. Dillon said the coaches worked with him to “keep my base in space,” adding that the staff was keen to work with him in all facets of the passing game. “The coaches have done a great job, and have given me reps. I put myself in situations where I was not exposed and in the end I was comfortable there.”
Josiah Deguara, third round, is more likely to have Rodgers throw him the football instead of giving it to him. Like Dillon, he is envious of the opportunity to work with the two-time MVP: “By just being in the same shrinkage as him, it’s great to learn from him,” Deguara said.
It’s not just the on-the-field aspects of football that impress Deguara both. He cited Rodgers and colleague tight end Marcedes Lewis as making strong early impressions on him for her work ethic and professionalism off the field. ‘Of course, Cedes, because I think his 15th year, it’s crazy to see him do things and do the same with Aaron,’ he said, noting specifically her approach to recovery and training as things to emulate.
Jordan Love gets the most face time with number 12, obviously by playing the same position. For now, though, Love understands that he’s there to learn, that if something unexpected happens to Rodgers, he’s ready to go. The best way to do that, though, is to take in so much information from Rodgers in the quarterback’s room: “It’s great for me to just sit and be in the same room as him,” Love said. “Just to hear how he thinks about plays and to rehearse and to see how he puts it together, it’s great to watch and take in.”
For now, it seems that Love content seems to lie and just absorb everything Rodgers does and says. “I just sit back in the meeting room, sit behind him and hear what he has to say.”
After a decade and a half in the NFL, Rodgers certainly has enough perspective and knowledge to give the young players around him – even to a player who was demonstrably set up to be his heir. It’s clear he’s putting that knowledge out there, and fortunately the rookies know it’s their job to be a sponge and enjoy it all in this bizarre summer.
