One of the most surprising details to surface from the Aaron Rodgers saga is the quarterback’s displeasure with how the team parted ways with an otherwise unremarkable player. Of course, we are referring to former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jake Kumerow.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the release of Kumerow prior to the start of the 2020 season did not sit well with Rodgers.
“This seems crazy, but one of the things that drove Rodgers nuts was when the organization released Jake Kumerow just a day after (Rodgers) praised him publicly,” reported Rapoport.
Kumerow was released during the final cut down following last year’s training camp. He received constant praise from Rodgers, who appreciated his consistency and football IQ. Before winding up in Green Bay, Kumerow spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots. He made his first career reception in 2018 as a 26-year-old rookie.
Kumerow stuck around through the 2019 season, catching a career-high 12 passes for 219 yards and one touchdown. He also contributed on special teams, making three career tackles.
"Jake Kumerow has been such a solid performer for us for the last couple of years. I love his reliability,” Rodgers said during an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio in September of 2020. “I think he’s a fantastic, steady player, who’s very heady on the field. He makes plays, he plays with a lot of confidence, and he’s a guy who you love having on the squad.”
For those who thought Kumerow was out of the hearts and minds of Green Bay for good, think again. Apparently, the NFL journeyman, who is currently signed to the Buffalo Bills, would still be with the Packers if it were up to Rodgers.
It’s crazy to insinuate that Kumerow is even a notable piece of the wedge between Rodgers and the front office. Kumerow was a hard worker, but the team spent a sixth-round pick on Equanimeous St. Brown, who made the 53-man roster over Kumerow. Perhaps, Rodgers feels Kumerow was more deserving than Malik Taylor. Last season, Taylor appeared in 15 games, including one start, and finished with five receptions, 66 receiving yards, and one touchdown. Meanwhile, Kumerow caught one pass for a 22-yard touchdown in six games for the Bills in 2020.
Clearly, this isn’t so much about Kumerow as it about Rodgers’ powerlessness in regards to personnel decisions. However, general manager Brian Gutekunst stated how he valued Rodgers’ input when he spoke to the media over the weekend.
“I’ve always welcomed that input,” said Gutekunst. “I think he has such an experience in this league that input would always be something vitally important to me if he’s willing to give it.”
If Gutekunst truly values Rodgers’ input, Rodgers may feel like his is perspective falls on deaf ears. Green Bay isn’t an organization that typically listens to players when it comes to player personnel. Looking back, Rodgers probably felt like an idiot after Kumerow was cut, but at the end of the day, he probably wants to have a louder voice when it comes to building the roster.
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May 06, 2021 at 12:04AM
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Jake Kumerow? Really? - Cheesehead TV
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