Davante Adams

Unless you've been buried neck-deep in a giant wedge of Wisconsin cheddar since April (that's not what "Cheesehead" means, by the way), you know the dominant storyline in Green Bay over the past couple of months has been the murky future of MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers with the Packers.

However, that saga isn't the only major issue looming over the team, as superstar wide receiver Davante Adams is entering the final season of the four-year, $58 million extension he signed in 2017.

With the Rodgers situation, there are no easy answers. No quick solution. And maybe no solution at all that will make everyone happy. But with Adams, the right path is much clearer. The "decision" facing the team really isn't a decision at all.

Pay the man. Make Adams one of the highest-paid receivers in the game. The highest-paid receiver in the game. And do it soon, lest the relationship between player and team follow a similarly dark path as Rodgers'.

Because whether it's the 37-year-old under center in the season opener in New Orleans on Sept. 12 or second-year pro Jordan Love, Adams is nearly as important to the team's offensive success as its quarterback.

The star receiver has given at least some thought to a post-Packers career. While speaking with ABC30's Bri Mellon (via Nick Shook of NFL.com), Adams said that while he's a Packer in the present, he'd welcome the chance to catch passes again from former college teammate (and current Las Vegas Raiders signal-caller) Derek Carr:

"I'll just continue to be me and just let this thing kind of work itself out and see what happens. Obviously, I love Derek to death. We've got a great friendship and we still communicate really, really consistently. He's one of my best friends. Obviously, it would be a dream to be able to play with him. But I'm a Packer now. Until that point when we make that decision, I guess we just gotta, we'll see what happens."

Just the thought of Adams in silver and black was apparently enough to grease the wheels. Not long after that interview, reports began to circulate that the Packers and Adams had begun negotiations on what ESPN's Jeremy Fowler called a "massive contract extension."

Mind you, paying Adams won't be cheap. The league's high-water mark among wideouts in terms of average annual salary is DeAndre Hopkins' $27.3 million per season. The largest total contract owned by a wideout is the five-year, $100 million pact that Amari Cooper got from the Dallas Cowboys in 2020.

Topping Hopkins' number would mean making Adams the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback—and potentially adding a second contract (along with Rodgers) that's among the dozen or so biggest pacts in the league.

And yet, it's still a choice that isn't one.

Over the past several years, no receiver has been more consistently productive than Adams. Last season, he caught 115 of 149 targets for 1,374 yards and a staggering 18 touchdowns. The scores led the NFL. The catches tied for the most in the NFC with Hopkins. And the yardage placed fourth in the league and third in the conference.

It was the second time in the past three seasons that Adams had over 100 receptions, topped 1,300 yards and scored at least 13 times. He has averaged over 80 receiving yards per game each of the past three campaigns.

When Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus ranked the NFL's best receivers ahead of the 2021 season, it wasn't Hopkins who checked in at No. 1. Or Buffalo's Stefon Diggs. Or Kansas City's Tyreek Hill.

It was the Packers star:

"Adams was the highest-graded (92.2), most valuable (0.9 WAR) and most productive (2.96 yards per route run) wide receiver of the 2020 season. He is indisputably the top player at the position entering 2021. It doesn't matter who lines up across from him — he's a threat on any given play with his route running and release package.

Since 2017, when PFF began tracking single coverage data, no wide receiver has earned a higher grade or recorded more touchdowns (27) on such plays than Adams."

That talent will come in awfully handy for the Packers—no matter who is under center in 2021 and beyond.

For his part, Adams told Fowler that he remains hopeful that fences can be mended between Green Bay and its MVP quarterback.

"Honestly, I'm not a gambling man, so it's tough to say what the chances are on that, but we're all just praying that he comes back. That's my guy. His locker is always going to be there. I don't see him leaving, and I pray that he doesn't. We're all just going to stay in good spirits and just let the chips fall where they may."

The sides appear locked in an uneasy stalemate. Fowler reported that Rodgers and the Packers have at least spoken, but those talks are in the earliest of stages.

With that said, Rodgers' status isn't especially relevant to Adams' extension. It goes without saying that the Packers are better with Rodgers under center than Love. But the Packers desperately need Adams either way.

With the 2020 MVP, the Packers are arguably the biggest obstacle to a second straight NFC title for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But with all due respect to Rodgers and the rest of the roster, the Packers wouldn't have won 13 games each of the past two seasons without Adams. He had more receiving yards in 2020 than the team's Nos. 2 and 3 pass-catchers (wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling and tight end Robert Tonyan) combined.

If the doomsday scenario does come to pass and Rodgers is traded or sits out the 2021 season, it would obviously be a massive blow to the team's Super Bowl aspirations. But if the Pack can get even league-average play under center from Love, Green Bay could still be in the hunt for a division title in an NFC North where the other three teams all have significant questions.

Love's chances of success are exponentially better with one of the NFL's best receivers to lean on.

Never mind that if this is the end of era and the Packers are about to hit the big yellow "reset" button, that starting over from scratch at both quarterback and wide receiver will only make things that much more difficult in 2022. And 2023. And so on and so forth.

There just isn't a scenario in which it makes an iota of sense for the Packers to wait on an extension for Adams. Use of the franchise tag in 2022 might buy the team another season, but it also risks creating a second straight offseason of bad blood. A compelling argument can be made that Adams is the (green and) gold standard at his position. And at just 28, he is smack in his prime.

Whether it's as part of a ploy to coax Rodgers back into the fold or part of the plan to begin life without him, Green Bay's next step with Adams is crystal clear.

Open the checkbook and give the man his cheddar.

Green Bay Packers star Davante Adams admitted it would be a "dream" to reunite with former Fresno State teammate Derek Carr in the NFL.

Adams, who's under contract with the Packers for one more season, was careful not to risk alienating his current teammates too much, though, in an interview with Bri Mellon for ABC30 Fresno:

Had the chance to follow up with @tae15adams today about @derekcarrqb's recruiting comments. "It would be a dream to play with him, I'm a Packer now until the point where we make that decision we'll see what happens."
Watch the full interview: https://t.co/ZKmmk4q2Gl via @abc30 https://t.co/FRFtL2x8N7 pic.twitter.com/4m4z0rOVsL

— Bri Mellon (@BriMellonTV) June 30, 2021

Carr previously told Mellon he planned to recruit Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders "when that time comes."

From @FresnoStateFB ➡️@Raiders? @derekcarrqb all in and ready to recruit @tae15adams when the time comes. I think we all want to see Adams, Carr, and @jakehaener10 battle on the course 😂 @ABC30 pic.twitter.com/BogxTgZKp8

— Bri Mellon (@BriMellonTV) June 28, 2021

Adams and Carr spent three years together at Fresno State. 

Although Adams redshirted in 2011, he told Mellon how he and Carr built a strong rapport on the practice field. He proceeded to be the Bulldogs' leading receiver over the next two seasons, finishing his college career with 223 receptions for 3,031 yards and 38 touchdowns.

Along with his contract situation, the ongoing drama between Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers has thrown Adams' future with the organization into some doubt.

Speaking with Bleacher Report's Graham Matthews last week, the four-time Pro Bowler reaffirmed his commitment to the Packers now but remained a little vague about the long term:

That's the plan, man. I'm not planning on going anywhere. That's only one piece of it, though. Obviously the quarterback situation helps it, but the stars got to align across the board as far as contractually. We'll figure all that stuff out and let it happen. I'll be at training camp like I said regardless, we're going to play the season, and we'll see how all of that pans out.

The same basic logic about the stars aligning just right could also apply to Carr's "full-court press" on Adams.

Signing Adams would make a ton of sense for the Raiders. 

Henry Ruggs III didn't go above and beyond as a rookie first-rounder (26 catches, 452 yards, two TDs) and Hunter Renfrow (56 catches, 656 yards, two TDs) is more of a possession receiver, so it's not immediately clear whether Las Vegas has a true No. 1 wideout. The team wouldn't have to worry about Adams' fit in the offense too much, either, given his previous experience with Carr.

But there are multiple steps required to make that partnership a reality.

Especially if they have to make the switch from Rodgers to Jordan Love within the next year or two, the Packers probably won't want to lose their best pass-catcher. Then there's the fact the four-time Pro Bowler will assuredly have plenty of interested suitors if he hits the open market.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr and Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams were teammates in college at Fresno State. 

So it doesn't come as much of a surprise that Carr told Bri Mellon of ABC 30 Fresno that he would love a reunion with his former teammate when asked about Adams' potential unrestricted free agency after the 2021 season:

From @FresnoStateFB ➡️@Raiders? @derekcarrqb all in and ready to recruit @tae15adams when the time comes. I think we all want to see Adams, Carr, and @jakehaener10 battle on the course 😂 @ABC30 pic.twitter.com/BogxTgZKp8

— Bri Mellon (@BriMellonTV) June 28, 2021

“I’ve learned in this business you never shut a door on anything. I know that he’s obviously the best receiver—everyone says one of the best—he’s the best receiver in the NFL. The guy is unbelievable. He’s been one of my best friends since we were in college together. I love the guy. ...

“I would always welcome [playing] with him again. I think it would unlock some things in both of us that people haven’t seen yet. And I’m always open to that and I will be recruiting very hard. So when that time comes, it will be a full-court press.”

The pair spent two seasons together for the Bulldogs (2012-13), and it was a fruitful partnership. Under Carr, Adams caught 233 passes for 3,031 yards and a whopping 38 touchdowns. 

Carr was just as good, throwing for 9,187 yards, 87 touchdowns and 15 picks in those two years. And Fresno State went 20-6 during that time. 

There is enough uncertainty in Green Bay at the moment that it wouldn't be shocking if Adams chose to go with a different team after this season, as Aaron Rodgers continues to remain away from the team. 

If Rodgers ultimately ends his stand-off with the Packers and a truce is reached, it would be hard to imagine Adams going elsewhere, barring the Packers dramatically undervaluing him in contract negotiations and choosing not to use the franchise tag. 

After all, his partnership with Rodgers has led to a career that includes four Pro Bowls and a 2020 first-team All-Pro selection. The 28-year-old just set career highs in receptions (115) and touchdowns (18), adding 1,374 receiving yards. 

The football in Green Bay with Rodgers under center has been good for Adams. And the wideout told Fox News' Paulina Dedaj last week that he and the team have had very preliminary contract extension discussions. 

"There's been talks, just really just talks, but we haven't really done anything or talked about anything that's worth mentioning," he said. "It's kind of just been the beginning stage of talking, and we'll figure out what happens. Hopefully, something gets figured out, but I'm just there to play ball either way. That stuff will take care of itself eventually."

Both on and off the field, Davante Adams is making major moves.

The Green Bay Packers wide receiver's remarkable 2020—his fourth straight Pro Bowl campaign and first All-Pro selection—helped set the stage for an equally exciting future, which includes work with sports nutrition leader Optimum Nutrition and its Building Better Lives program.

In addition to promoting easy access to fitness for all, he and Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson, 22, are determined to bring permanent fitness resources to underserved communities—including his own in East Palo Alto, California, and Jefferson's in Saint Rose, Louisiana.

Adams, who's heading into a contract year, is on the periphery of the NFL's biggest story, as star quarterback Aaron Rodgers' status with the Packers is still in doubt. With Rodgers having played a pivotal role in his growth as a player over the last seven years, the 28-year-old is hoping the quarterback will stick around and help lead the team to another successful season following consecutive trips to the NFC title game.

In an exclusive interview with Bleacher Report, Adams discussed pulling for a Rodgers return, getting back in front of fans, his involvement with the Building Better Lives initiative and more.

              

Bleacher Report: Happy belated Father's Day! How'd you spend it?

Davante Adams: It was fantastic, man, appreciate that. I actually just got back from South America [Sunday].

            

B/R: Oh, that's great. How long were you away for?

DA: Since last Monday. So that's, what? I can't even count. It's weird when you leave and travel that distance. You travel for, like, 15 hours, so it's hard to even remember what day it is. I left Monday night and got back [Sunday] in the afternoon.

             

B/R: How did you get involved with the Building Better Lives program? What motivated you to be a part of it?

DA: The Optimum Nutrition collaboration we've been doing has been a great thing, man. It's something that I wish was around when I was a kid. The Building Better Lives program is about promoting access to fitness for everyone, and me being from a city like East Palo Alto, a community in need, having those resources as a kid or even a little bit older heading into college would've been huge and played a big role in potential offers for college and just different exposure I didn't have being where I'm from.

Justin Jefferson and I are doing this fitness challenge, trying to win fitness equipment for Optimum Nutrition and for our hometowns by encouraging people to work out. It's something both of us have always...we have similar backgrounds. I have kind of a West Coast style and he has a bit of a Southern style, but it's something we both talked about individually where it's like, 'Man, this is something that would've been huge when we were coming up just to be able to have that.' I think he may have been a little bit higher recruited than I was.

I didn't play football until my junior year of high school, but both of us being from not the greatest backgrounds and not having a whole lot of money and resources, this whole collaboration has been great. I think about the kids in my hometown now who are still getting some good exposure but don't have that access to the resources like what we are seeing nowadays. It's been a big, big thing, and I think it kind of embodies who we are as people too. It's been a really good deal so far.

           

B/R: What's it been like working with Justin Jefferson on a project like this after being rivals on the football field?

DA: We're not rivals on the football field. I'm rivals with the DBs on the Vikings. All the wideouts are my friends. I got real close with Stefon Diggs when he was there. Being with Justin's been great. He's a hell of a wideout, and we have similar mindsets. He's much younger than I am, but we have similar mindsets on helping people and obviously our craft.

I see him taking a big jump going into this next year. Not that he didn't have a phenomenal year this past year, but I see him making another jump. Doing stuff like this is a small thing, and you have that indirect correlation and a certain type of focus in life, it can do a lot for you on the field as well. For him to be doing something like this is huge, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of his career unfolds.

             

B/R: How do you plan on keeping your momentum going after being in the MVP conversation last season?

DA: Just continuing to take my training seriously. I expect a lot of stuff out of myself each year. I set new goals, new personal goals. I don't ever leak those personal goals because the narrative can change. People think you're focused on the wrong thing. Really, it's just a way of holding myself accountable for my teammates, and by saying that I want to have this many touchdowns or do better than what I did yardswise last year, I'm not too focused on the number exactly.

But it's just a way to say, I'm obviously a big, big part of the offense of this team. If I tell myself I need to do this or do that or have this number or have that, it's putting a little bit more pressure on myself to live up to what everyone else is expecting of me on my team to get to that ultimate goal.

          

B/R: Was it strange going from playing in a sold-out stadium to an empty one? Surely you have to be looking forward to going back to playing in front of fans again.

DA: Oh, yeah, huge. I'm the type of guy that feeds off the crowd, and [any time] I get a first down or a touchdown, I'm always looking to the fans because they do a lot for us, a lot more than what they know. Definitely looking forward to getting them back in the stands. We had a little bit of that at the end of the year, but it still wasn't packed. Seeing 75, 77, 80 thousand people in the stands gives me a little bit of a different feeling that you can't really recreate with empty stands out there, so we're definitely all looking forward to that.

           

B/R: Did it take time for you to get used to that atmosphere or was it a one-game thing where it was an immediate transition for you?

DA: Yeah, it definitely wasn't a one-game thing. It took damn near half the season to get used to nobody, and almost the worst part is when you're off the field because when something happens on the far side of the field, there's no fans, and they'd see that on the other side; they're roaring in a good way or in a negative way.

Sometimes it's a little bit of an anticipation after a play happens because you don't really know if someone's stepped out of bounds or whatever, if the ball was picked off, you can't have a direct sight to it. It took awhile for me to get used to, but in between each play, it's not a big deal. As you come out for warm-ups and you come out for the game and there's nobody there, there's no crowd noise other than the simulated crowd noise, it's definitely weird. We had a great season, but I'll take the fans any day.

          

B/R: Were you aware that you were about to break Sterling Sharpe's franchise receptions record last season before you did?

DA: I wasn't really thinking about it as I was approaching it. When I knew how many catches I had and how many games were left, I had a sense of where that might end up. But like I said, it wasn't my focus. When it happened, I didn't even realize it happened until I was notified on the sideline. Going into the game, it was obviously all over social media and stuff like that. I knew about it, but in the moment, you don't really think about that too much and you just go out there and play. It's a blessing to be in that position. A lot of people helped me and actively help when I'm on the field for me to be able to have a record like that.

          

B/R: As we speak, based on everything that's transpired lately, what do you think the likelihood is of Aaron Rodgers staying with the Packers?

DA: Honestly, I'm not a gambling man, so it's tough to say what the chances are on that, but we're all just praying that he comes back. That's my guy. His locker is always going to be there. I don't see him leaving and I pray that he doesn't. We're all just going to stay in good spirits and just let the chips fall where they may.

             

B/R: How has your relationship with Aaron grown over the last several years?

DA: It's been a very gradual growth. That's kind of how the true connection goes between a quarterback and a wideout. We let this thing happen organically, and I'd say we took some big steps throughout the way, but to get from where I was when I first got here to where I am with him now, it's a huge difference and it's a lot of focus and off-field experiences and stuff that brought us even closer together. We're closer now than we ever have been, and I think that it reflects on the field.

           

B/R: Outside Aaron, is there anyone else on the team you're just as close with?

DA: I love all my teammates, man. I got a lot of great teammates that I lean on, that lean on me, so there's plenty of them. Marcedes Lewis. All the wideouts. I'm really close with all my wideouts. Outside of the wideouts, Marcedes Lewis is probably who I'm closest to.

          

B/R: If Aaron does remain with the Packers, do you see yourself sticking with the team for the foreseeable future as well?

DA: That's the plan, man. I'm not planning on going anywhere. That's only one piece of it, though. Obviously the quarterback situation helps it, but the stars got to align across the board as far as contractually. We'll figure all that stuff out and let it happen. I'll be at training camp like I said regardless, we're going to play the season, and we'll see how all of that pans out.

          

B/R: What do you see the keys to victory being with the Packers this year after such a strong season last year?

DA: Just expanding off what we've done the last two seasons. We put ourselves in a really good position to go out there and have a shot at the ultimate gold. I think we were just missing a couple of pieces that we added this year just to the team in general. I think everybody's mindset is there, and we have that natural knack for winning. At this point, it's about winning the ones you can't lose and finishing it off. One more game last year and we would've been in the show. I think once we get there, we can take care of it. That's kind of the mindset.

            

B/R: Finally, how can fans and viewers support the Building Better Lives program?

DA: I hope everyone supports me with Building Better Lives. You can visit onbuildingbetterlives.com and everything you need to know and all of your questions will be answered there if I haven't answered them on the phone here today. Again, it's onbuildingbetterlives.com and go out there and check that out and experience the great things we're doing this offseason to put other people in great positions as well.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams confirmed Wednesday that he has been engaged in contract talks with the team. 

According to Paulina Dedaj of Fox News, Adams said the following regarding negotiations and how quarterback Aaron Rodgers' status could impact them:

"That'll play into it, but there's been talks, just really talks, but we haven't really done anything or talked about anything that's worth mentioning. It's kind of just been the beginning stage of talking, and we'll figure out what happens. Hopefully, something gets figured out, but I'm just there to play ball either way. That stuff will take care of itself eventually."

While Adams said earlier this month that he will report to training camp regardless of his contract status, Rodgers' situation is far less certain. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in April that the signal-caller told some within the Packers organization he no longer wanted to play in Green Bay.

The 28-year-old Adams is set to enter the final year of his contract in 2021 after signing a four-year, $58 million extension in 2017.

Adams has far exceeded that contract since signing it, as he has been named to the Pro Bowl in four straight seasons and was a First Team All-Pro selection for the first time last season as well.

Adams' ascension to superstar status really occurred in 2018 when he set what were then career highs with 111 receptions, 1,386 yards and 13 touchdowns. His numbers dipped the following season when injuries limited him to 12 games, but he took another huge step forward last season.

Despite missing two games, Adams reeled in a career-high 115 passes and fell just short of his personal best in receiving yardage with 1,374. Adams' greatest asset was his ability to find the end zone, which he did 18 times to lead the league and set a new career high.

Adams played a huge role in Rodgers enjoying one of the best statistical seasons of his career and winning his third NFL MVP award.

The Rodgers-Adams connection has been mutually beneficial, and it remains to be seen if Adams will be able to produce close to the level he displayed last season without Rodgers under center.

Rodgers hasn't yet given an indication that he will report to training camp, meaning the Packers may enter the 2021 season with 2020 first-round pick Jordan Love as their starting quarterback.

Love hasn't taken a single snap in an NFL game, and one can only assume he would represent a sharp drop-off at the quarterback position in Green Bay given his inexperience when compared to Rodgers.

A year of Love at quarterback could hurt Adams from a statistical perspective, which would perhaps give him more incentive to sign an extension before the season.

Regardless, the Packers are well aware of what Adams brings to the table, and he figures to cash in either through a long-term extension or landing the franchise tag next offseason.

The apparent feud between the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers has been the biggest talking point in the NFL among fans and analysts this offseason, but that discussion apparently doesn't take place inside the team's locker room.  

Davante Adams told Paulina Dedaj of Fox News that Packers players don't discuss the situation between Rodgers and the front office:

"Honestly, it's not even something that we truly talk about like that. It's just, everybody's been dialed into what they got to do. There's enough to worry about with themselves than to be going and worrying about what other guys are doing and what their situation is like, especially when we can't control any of that."

Adams has spoken out about supporting Rodgers this offseason. 

During Packers minicamp earlier this month, Adams told reporters he doesn't focus on the situation because he doesn't have any control over what happens. 

"I can talk to him, but the best thing for Aaron, and the people that know him well know that he loves you when you have his back," said Adams. "That's how I am naturally, so it's not forced. I got his back through everything."

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in April that Rodgers told some members of the Packers organization that he no longer wanted to play for the team. 

Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst told reporters on April 30 that Rodgers will not be traded. 

Rodgers, who won his third NFL MVP award last season, has not shown up for any of the Packers' offseason workouts thus far. He skipped organized team activities in May and mandatory minicamp from June 15-17. 

The next significant date in the offseason schedule is July 27 when the Packers are set to report for training camp. 

Adams has spent his entire seven-year NFL career playing in Green Bay. The four-time Pro Bowler has been Rodgers' favorite target for the past three seasons. He set career highs in receptions (115), receiving touchdowns (18) and ranked fifth in the league with 1,374 receiving yards in 2020. 

Some within the NFL reportedly believe the Green Bay Packers may soon shift their focus from getting quarterback Aaron Rodgers to return to the team to signing wide receiver Davante Adams to a new contract.

Appearing Saturday morning on SportsCenter, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler said some of those he spoke with wondered if the Packers will "pivot" to Adams since a wideout of his caliber could command anywhere from $25 million to $30 million per season.

One source told Fowler they would do "everything possible" to keep Adams long-term regardless of whether Rodgers or Jordan Love is the starting quarterback moving forward.

Adams is set to enter the final year of his contract in 2021, and he is due for a big raise from the $12.25 million in base salary he is scheduled to earn.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in April that Rodgers informed some people within the Packers organization that he no longer wanted to play in Green Bay.

Rodgers did not attend mandatory minicamp, and it remains unclear whether he will report to the team at any point. Given his status as the NFL MVP, his situation has understandably dominated headlines this offseason.

If not for the presence of Adams, however, it is fair to wonder whether Rodgers would have even been in the MVP conversation.

Adams enjoyed a career year in 2020 with 115 receptions for 1,374 yards and an NFL-leading 18 touchdowns in 14 games. The catch and touchdown numbers were new career highs for Adams, who was named a Pro Bowler for the fourth time and a First Team All-Pro for the first time.

While injuries have caused Adams to miss time in each of the past four seasons, he has been a highly productive player, posting double-digit touchdown catches in four of the past five years.

The Packers haven't made much of an attempt to add quality receivers around Adams in recent years, which makes signing him to a new deal even more important.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling was Green Bay's No. 2 wideout last season, and he finished with just 33 receptions for 690 yards and six touchdowns.

It is difficult to envision Adams playing anywhere except Green Bay next season since the Packers can slap the franchise tag on him even if a long-term contract isn't reached, but getting him locked up would allow the franchise to focus on other areas of need.

As big as Adams has been for Rodgers in recent years, it can be argued that having him in the fold would be even more significant should Love be the starter this season and beyond.

Love was a first-round pick last year, but he has yet to take an NFL snap, and there are questions about how well he will transition given that his final season at Utah State was a struggle with 20 touchdown passes and 17 interceptions.

Adams can be the safety blanket a young quarterback like Love needs or he can be the go-to guy in a high-flying offense led by a future Hall of Famer in Rodgers. No matter who Green Bay's quarterback is in 2021 and beyond, Adams may be the biggest key to the offense's success.

As expected, Aaron Rodgers didn't report to the Green Bay Packers' mandatory minicamp and is officially a holdout. 

"It is what it is, man," head coach Matt LaFleur said when media asked about the quarterback's absence. 

Eventually, one side will cave during this standoff. Whether it'll be the organization or the face of the franchise has yet to be determined. 

Meanwhile, Rodgers' decision could actually prove to be beneficial for the Packers in the short and long term. With the reigning league MVP off the field, Jordan Love is now front and center as Green Bay's quarterback, and the time he'll receive with the first-team offense will be vital to his development. 

"Every rep he takes is so valuable, and he can learn from the good and the bad," LaFleur told reporters. 

Current expectations have the second-year signal-caller taking the majority of first-team repetitions until Rodgers returns or Love officially takes over the offense if Green Bay seriously considers and pulls the trigger on a potential trade, which seems highly unlikely. 

Love entered an unfortunate situation he had no control over whatsoever. The young man experienced the thrill of being a first-round pick only to have the selection destroyed by nearly every outlet because of what the Packers didn't do for the quarterback already on the roster. 

The pick, thus Love's inclusion to the team, was consistently brought up as a sore spot as the relationship between one of the game's very best and the Packers front office deteriorated. 

To Rodgers' credit, he never blamed Love and helped the rookie signal-caller throughout the 2020 campaign. He explained himself during an interview with Kenny Mayne on ESPN's SportsCenter (h/t Rob Demovsky): 

"With my situation, look, it's never been about the draft pick, picking Jordan [Love]. I love Jordan. He's a great kid. A lot of fun to work together. I love the coaching staff, love my teammates, love the fan base in Green Bay. Incredible 16 years. It's just kind of about a philosophy and maybe forgetting that it is about the people that make the thing go. It's about character, it's about culture, it's about doing things the right way."

The explanation is important because it takes the pressure off of Love now and places it directly on the supposed culprit, general manager Brian Gutekunst, in this ongoing melodrama. 

Eventually, Love must shoulder the responsibility of replacing Rodgers while trying to build upon 29 consecutive seasons (and counting) of continued excellence by Packers quarterbacks.

In most cases with today's quarterback prospects, they're prepared for the professional ranks. From years of being nurtured through passing camps and private quarterback tutors during high school to becoming starters early in the collegiate careers, the transition to the highest level isn't as daunting as it once was. The transition is still incredibly difficult, but recent rookies like Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Justin Herbert showed how high draft picks can succeed earlier in their careers. 

The flip side also exists. Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson took some time before they became full-time starters. By Year 2, both became league MVPs. 

Love's development falls somewhere between those two points. He clearly needed time to learn and grow after being last year's 26th overall pick, but success isn't guaranteed. 

Scouts were torn on the Utah State product with a lot of, "Yeah, but..." predraft descriptions. 

"He's physically gifted but he's not accurate. He is a good athlete," an AFC scout told The Athletic's Bob McGinn. "I don't like his mechanics. I don't like his decision-making. He has a strong arm."

An NFC scout said, "He has the most physical upside of any of these guys. The great ones make it look easy. He makes it look easy. He's an effortless thrower. He played with nobody around him. This year he was just out there winging it trying to make plays to win games. Did he develop some bad habits? Yeah, of course, he did."

Basically, Love looked like a slam-dunk first-round quarterback as a sophomore but struggled during his junior campaign due to turnover at a smaller program. The Packers took a chance on his potential. Now, the coaching staff has an opportunity to develop those natural tools and make him more comfortable working within the offense, hence why first-team reps are so important. 

Rodgers took the majority of practice snaps last season, as he should have. He has been the starter. The Packers aren't a team building toward the future. Besides, he's counted among the best two or three quarterbacks in football. 

As a result, Love didn't get the attention he likely needed to show significant growth. Mental reps and a theoretical understanding of the playbook only go so far. 

Love will show significant development through repetition and actual on-field experience, which already became evident during organized team activities.

"I think it's just about being able to make the proper decisions, and understand it's timing and accuracy. And all those things have definitely been better up to this point," offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett told reporters last week. "It's just about coaching and understanding the concepts, different protections and the run game—there's so much for him to be able to learn that it's been great having him here and having the opportunity to help him out."

The fact last year's rookies didn't have an offseason with their teams and only experienced an abbreviated training camp can't be forgotten, either. Love was further behind the curve than most. He continues to work his way through the process. Now, the plays and verbiage aren't stumbling blocks. He has a feel for the scheme and those around him. Those relationships will only grow in time.

Green Bay's staff has stressed improvement on Love's footwork during this period. The quarterback must marry his feet with his upper body to properly throw in rhythm.

"The main goal for me right now is that he just progresses properly, that he plays with his eyes and his feet," quarterbacks coach Luke Getsy said. "If his eyes and his feet tell him to move in his progression, I want him to move in his progression. If the defense is taking something away, we need to progress."

An understanding of responsibilities is fundamental. Whereas, a growing comfort level becomes vital to success. Love's understanding of his pre- and post-snap reads while knowing to go with the ball when things do break down should come with time.

While Love works his way on points of emphasis, he'll experience his share of ups and downs. For example, ESPN's Rob Demovsky noted that the quarterback "struggled with accuracy" during the Packers' first minicamp session. That's OK. How Love improves on a daily, weekly and monthly basis is far more important.

In the meantime, Love grows more accustomed to his receivers. He'll gain confidence in what he's seeing and what should be called. He'll learn from missteps along the way.

Conversely, the wide receivers will learn what type of routes Love throws best, where they need to be and his velocity and ball placement. Up front, the offensive line will get used to the quarterback's calls, his cadence and angles on his specific drops.

Ultimately, Rodgers should be back and Love should be relegated to the bench. But what the 22-year-old learns now in Rodgers' stead will translate once he's handed the keys to the franchise and becomes the Packers' starting quarterback. Maybe Love even hits the ground running much like his mentor and predecessor once did.