Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers calls report about hand signals ‘dumbest nothingburger article’ this season
Like every Tuesday when Aaron Rodgers goes on “The Pat McAfee Show” you never know what to expect. And this week was no different following the Green Bay Packers’ win over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.
Sure, there was football talk, as he broke down the Packers’ path to the playoffs, he provided a brief update on his broken thumb (it’s “a lot better” after the bye, he said), he described his failed Hail Mary attempt at the end of the first half, praised Keisean Nixon and his return abilities, and like always talked about his NFL future. Then there was alien and UFO talk and this week’s recommendation in his book club brought us back to one of his favorite pastimes of COVID.
But the Packers quarterback also wanted to set the record straight on another topic: hand signals.
And No. 12 wasn’t about to let a report that called him out over how he handles signals with his teammates leading up to games untouched.
A story published in The Athletic last week titled “Signal meetings and Aaron Rodgers’ ‘little death stare’: What it’s like for Packers’ rookie receivers” indicated how the 18-year veteran Rodgers uses hand signals from years ago but that the young receivers have to learn them on the fly because they aren’t taught them or written down anywhere. Instead, they get passed down from players with the coaches even unaware of them. And there are quizzes on Saturdays, which can leave players in uncomfortable situations, according to the report. Several current and former players were interviewed for the story.
Follow every game: Latest NFL Scores and Schedules
How ESPN pulled off that Packers-Rams ‘MNF’ opener with Bret Michaels, Brian Baumgartner and a surprise guest
‘WE’VE GOT A CHANCE’:Packers not ready to relinquish hope of a miraculous run to playoffs after dominating Rams
NFL NEWSLETTER:Sign up now to get football news delivered to your inbox
COVID toe Wall Street Journal.
“But this was the dumbest article by far.
“Ninety-five percent of that article is absolute complete horse (expletive),” Rodgers continued. “The other five percent is exaggerated nothingness.”
McAfee gave an example from Monday night when Rodgers used a hand signal by brushing his arm and looked in the direction of rookie wide receiver Christian Watson, before the snap on one of the final plays of the game with the Packers with the Packers at the 4-yard line. Watson apparently didn’t get the signal as he never looked back for the ball, resulting in an incompletion.
“You wanna catch touchdowns, you run the right routes,” Rodgers said with a laugh to ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters on the field after the game.
Rodgers said each week backup quarterback Jordan Love makes up a list of the signals the team could use for the week and then he selects a few offensive players to question them. Rodgers explained he did this when he was a backup.
“It might be nerve-wracking the first time you do it,” Rodgers continued. “But listen, every signal that’s used in a game is probably used in practice that week.
“It’s not like there’s that many signals,” Rodgers continued. “There’s some signals in the 2-minute (drill). I think we maybe missed one or two for the entire season. It’s not hard at all. The fact that this is made to a story, it’s the most ridiculous nothing story that I’ve read the entire year and that’s saying a lot.”
Aaron Rodgers is a fan of Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews, other TV analysts
While Rodgers took exception with that report, he made it a point to praise other media members on Tuesday, specifically TV crews that call his games.
He said he’s been a fan of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman for a long time, the longtime Fox announcers who made the switch over this season to ESPN for “Monday Night Football.”