21 July 2023 , 17:03
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Aaron Rodgers ' trade to the New York Jets f rom the Green Bay Packers has been the main talking point this offseason, but his former team-mates feel 'disrespected' now that they're being written off already.
Rodgers was sensational for the Packers ever since taking over from Brett Favre in 2008, winning the Super Bowl in 2010 and winning NFL MVP on four occasions. Like all teams in the NFL, results depend on the quarterback, and the main narrative this offseason has been how Rodgers will transform the Jets, and how the Packers will cope without him.
The Packers drafted Rodgers' replacement in 2020, as Jordan Love was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Love has patiently waited for his opportunity to become the starting quarterback, and although he will feel pressure, there isn't much expectation on the Packers next season.
It's expected to be a close NFC North division, with the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions all anticipating an easier ride now that Rodgers has moved on. However, defensive tackle Kenny Clark feels as though everyone is being disrespectful to the Packers and is keen to prove everyone wrong.
Clark was a guest on the Zach Gelb Show, and was asked if he feels as though the Packers have been disrespected across the United States after Rodgers left for New York. "One hundred percent, but that's cool," Clark stated.
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"I like it that way. This has been one of the first offseasons where we ain't really been getting the credit, getting the love. Everybody says that Aaron determines whether we win or lose, so we love it, we're going to embrace it. When it comes to Week 1, and the season is here, we will see how everything stacks up. I'm excited about it."
Love will now become starting quarterback at the age of 24, and Rodgers himself has even said that the former back-up is going to be a star. "Jordan is gonna be a great player. He's a f****** great kid... He's got a bright future in front of him," Rodgers said.
The Packers locker room already has complete faith in Love, with last season's rookie Romeo Doubs even claiming that he can do exactly what Rodgers can. "I think Jordan is a really good quarterback," Doubs said.
"When you go from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan, Aaron was a really great quarterback, but I believe Jordan can do the same exact thing. So I don’t really see what’s the big difference."
Clark also explained what Love has been like during summer workouts, and the whole roster is excited for September to roll around. "He's just been steady, determined, coming in to work," Clark added. "He's going to be a great player. I'm excited about everything he brings to our team.
"He's definitely a leader, he comes in every single day and works his a** off. I think that's what the guys respect about him, that's what everybody loves about him. He has that quiet confidence about him and everybody feeds off of that so we can't wait to get out there with Jordan."