Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers’ star quarterback, recently opened up about his feelings of guilt regarding the benching of rookie quarterback Zach Wilson. Rodgers expressed disappointment and sadness that Wilson didn’t have the opportunity to learn and grow from watching him play this season.
Key Takeaway
Aaron Rodgers expresses guilt and disappointment over the benching of rookie quarterback Zach Wilson and believes that with him playing, the team’s narrative and Wilson’s development would have been different.
Despite being a former No. 2 overall pick, Wilson struggled to find his rhythm as a starter while Rodgers was recovering from an Achilles injury. The team ultimately made the decision to replace Wilson with backup Tim Boyle in search of an offensive spark.
In an appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show,” Rodgers shared his sentiments about the situation, stating, “I feel for Zach, I love Zach. Zach’s such a great kid, and I do think he still has a bright future in the league.”
Rodgers believes that the blame should not solely rest on Wilson’s shoulders and instead suggests that it was a collective team effort. He expressed personal guilt, saying, “This is disappointing; I have some personal guilt around the whole thing. I mean, I’m pissed I wasn’t able to play and frustrated that if I was out there, and I feel like I’d be playing well, there would be obviously different narratives around our team, and Zach would have the opportunity to learn and grow.”
While Rodgers acknowledges that the team will continue to support both Wilson and Boyle, he emphasized that the struggles the team faces cannot be solely attributed to Wilson’s performance. The team’s current record stands at 4-6.
As for Rodgers’ own recovery, he provided an update, stating that things are progressing well as he continues to run on the treadmill. However, there is no set date for his return to the field.
