Have the Packers shifted their ways to keep Rodgers around?

The big story surrounding the Green Bay Packers coming into the season was how quarterback Aaron Rodgers felt neglected by the organization.

When Rodgers returned to Green Bay for the team’s training camp in late July, Rodgers spoke about wanting to be part of the conversation regarding potential free agent signings and felt he could be used as a recruiter.

“I think we can all understand, you know, Green Bay isn’t a huge vacation destination, people are coming here to play with me, to play with our team and knowing that they can win a championship here,” said Rodgers at the time.

The quarterback went on to say that he thought he’d earned that right after playing with the organization for 16 years.

While there’s been rumblings from time to time on potential landing spots for Rodgers should he leave Green Bay, most of the conversation has subsided, for now.

Winning can definitely cure any issues, but Rodgers also mentioned back in that July press conference that he was locked in and ready to help the team chase its big goals this season.

So is everyone inside the organization putting on a happy face for now, and then will show their true emotions once the season is over?

Only time will tell, but one thing you can say for certain right now is that Rodgers has been happy with how the team has constructed its roster to this point in the season.

Green Bay, like many teams around the NFL, was dealing with salary cap issues after last season ended, so not many names on the roster changed going into this year.

In the past, Green Bay has primarily built through the draft, while also priding itself on turning undrafted guys into key contributors to teams. I’ve seen a switch in their approach, with more veteran players and well-known names being brought in.

That could be a product of the possible impending departure of Rodgers and other key players and the organization wanting to go all in for this season before rebuilding after it. It could be that several key players —cornerback Jaire Alexander and outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith to name a couple — got injured, but in most cases in the past, those kind of impact players had been replaced by draft picks or players still trying to make a name for themselves.

Lastly, I think it could be a product of the organization trying to appease Rodgers, just like when it traded for wide receiver Randall Cobb. “Obviously without Aaron, I don’t think we would probably be pursuing that, but he’s still a really good player,” said Packers General Manage Brian Gutekunst after making the trade.

Whatever the case might be, Rodgers has gone out of his way several times to talk about some of the newest additions to the team.

The Packers brought in middle linebacker De’Vondre Campbell during free agency. It wasn’t a splashy move, but it was an unusual one in that Campbell was an established veteran and had a proven track record in the NFL prior to being signed.

According to nfl.com, before the Packers signed him, Campbell had played in 75 games in his five-year career, including all 16 the previous four seasons. He’d racked up at least 88 total tackles in his 16-game seasons, with a high mark of 122 with the Atlanta Falcons in 2019.

He’s been a blessing for the Packers’ defense this season, and he led the team with 68 total tackles after seven weeks.

“You’ve got to look at De’Vondre and the production he’s had is just incredible,” said Rodgers after the win over Washington. “For a guy to not get a big deal, to not be a priority free agent and to step in and start and be the play caller on defense, and be so productive for us, it’s fantastic.”

After Alexander went on injured reserve a couple weeks ago, the Packers signed a couple of veteran cornerbacks instead of turning things over to some late-round draft picks or undrafted guys of their own.

Rasul Douglas was one of the pickups. The 26-year old is in his fifth NFL season and had 172 total tackles and five interceptions to his name before signing in Green Bay.

In his first two games, Douglas had nine total tackles, a pass breakup and a forced fumble.

“I thought Rasul did a nice job today, came back from getting banged up, and I thought he covered well,” said Rodgers after the Washington game.

With Za’Darius Smith out indefinitely, and fellow outside linebacker Preston Smith banged up too, Green Bay signed veteran OLB Whitney Mercilus.

The 31-year old Mercilus is playing in his 10th NFL season this year. In his career, he’s amassed 57 sacks and 335 total tackles.

“I’m a big fan of the Mercilus signing for a number of different reasons, but the way that Preston has played this year and his leadership and, obviously, the way that Rashan (Gary) has played, and then bringing in a stud like Whitney, who’s motivated and can still play, I love him. I really like that signing,” said Rodgers.

What makes Rodgers comments on the team’s recent transactions even more meaningful is that he wasn’t asked about any of those guys, instead going on tangents to bring them up.

If the organization was making those moves to appease Rodgers, they best keep it up if they want him to be in Green Bay past this season. If the moves weren’t made in efforts to keep Rodgers in town, it appears the franchise has taken a different approach to constructing its roster.

In either case, the Packers are a better team because of the moves that have been made. It’s kept the pressure off many young players and put veteran players in the spotlight instead, and so far they’ve delivered.

At a recent press conference, Rodgers mentioned how this season has reminded him of the team’s Super Bowl season in 2010. The 2010 season was marred with injuries, but the Packers brought in several key pieces and were somehow able to win the Super Bowl.

Obviously, Rodgers hates seeing his teammate go down with injuries, but he won’t make excuses because of it. His expectation is still to win this year’s Super Bowl.

Like like his future in Green Bay, only time will tell what happens next.

Morgan Rode is the sports editor for NEW Media. Readers can contact him at sports@newmedia-wi.com.