By Adam Roberts – 5/7/2021

Did you forget that there’s anything else to keep track of with the Packers other than whether or not Aaron Rodgers will be back? I’ll admit I did a little bit.

Regardless of what happens after June 1st, the Packers still have to continue with their offseason calendar, and that includes rookie minicamp, OTAs, and the mandatory June minicamp. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reported yesterday on the dates for each of these, but today the team has updated some of those dates.

Green Bay will run their mandatory team minicamp a little earlier than expected, with the dates June 8th, 9th, and 10th. There are a number of OTAs that will begin starting May 24th and 25th, and three more have been added to the docket for June 14th, 15th, and 17th.

Here’s the complete list as of this morning:

Rookie minicamp: May 14-15

OTA dates: May 24-25, May 27, June 1-2, June 4, June 7-8, June 10, June 14th, June 15th, June 17th

Mandatory Minicamp: June 8th, June 9th, June 10th

By Adam Roberts – 5/6/2021

We’re a week removed from the news reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicating that Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is so disgruntled with the team that he reportedly doesn’t want to return. And to say that much speculation has been made in the week since would be a gross understatement. But as of this morning, we still don’t know too much. Perhaps the reason Aaron hasn’t outright stated it’s all hogwash and he does really want to stay in Green Bay is because there hasn’t been a good enough reason to stay. And I’m not talking about high-skill players surrounding him on offense, or a stacked offensive line to protect him, or even a big fat contract extension connected to a dollar amount featuring a bunch of zeros.

I’m talking about the real goods: food and beverage.

We see all the time governors of states that have teams facing each other in big sports championships will wager foods, beverages, and other goodies native to their state for the other should their team lose. It’s clear that the food and drink game is interconnected to the world of sports, so why not entice Rodgers to stay with some good ol’ fashioned Wisconsin cuisine?

It would appear one chain of restaurants is ready to step up and do what it takes to keep the reigning MVP in Titletown.

Mr. Brews Taphouse, a chain with locations across the country but primarily in the Badger State, is making the offer to Rodgers if he finishes his career with the team. The restaurant CEO says they just can’t let him go, calling Rodgers the face of their beloved franchise. They’re begging him to stay with the promise of free food and brews for life. That also extends to his fiancée, actress Shailene Woodley.

As a side note, this article is not sponsored by Mr. Brews, BUT I did scan their menu off hand while looking up info for the article on an empty stomach. Needless to say I’m shamelessly craving a pulled pork sandwich, cheese curds, and one of their 60-plus beers on tap. Excuse me for a second, I’ll be right back. Gotta make a quick drive to Madison…

By Adam Roberts – 5/5/2021

With the NFL Draft in the rear view mirror, now comes the signing of undrafted free agents looking to prove to teams they should have been selected last weekend.

The Vikings are reportedly expected to sign two interesting new undrafted free agents. 30-year-old rookie punter and former M-L-B sixth round draft pick Zach Von Rosenberg is joining the team, according to his agent, and he’ll compete with incumbent Britton Colquitt for the job. 24-year-old former Minnesota State-Mankato wide receiver Shane Zylstra is also signing, according to his agent, and is switching positions to tight end after breaking the school’s single-season receiving records in 2019.

The Packers have so far added UDFAs Jacob Capra (San Diego State), Coy Cronk (Iowa) and Jon Dietzen (Wisconsin), receiver Bailey Gaither (San Jose State), defensive lineman Jack Heflin (Iowa), linebacker Carlo Kemp (Michigan) and safety Christian Uphoff (Illinois State).

By Adam Roberts – 5/4/2021

I know from speaking to people who listened to our NFL Draft Show last week that there was certainly intrigue in this year’s draft for Packers fans, more so than in years past. Combining the aura of draft night with the Rodgers drama that exploded earlier that day, and I’m pretty confident in saying we had quite a few ears on the broadcast over the course of the evening. As for the television draft, that certainly didn’t do too shabby, either.

This year’s NFL Draft is one of the most watched ever. The league says it came in third, just behind the past two drafts, in terms of the number of average viewers. The NFL is reporting an average of six-point-one million people watched the event across the TV and digital platforms where it aired.

The 2019 Draft drew six-point-two million sets of eyes. Last year’s draft during the pandemic drew more than eight-million watchers, likely capitalizing on the lack of other sports content at the time last year.

By Adam Roberts – 5/4/2021

At the advent of the College Football Playoff, it became apparent that the era of fluffing a schedule with lower-tier FBS teams and FCS teams would be ending. The CFP has clearly put a high value on strength of schedule, so a close loss against a tough opponent is looked upon more favorable now than a blowout win against a cupcake.

Wisconsin football is aware of this, having crafted games over the next few years against teams like Notre Dame and Alabama. And now another series has been finalized with the hopes of bolstering each team’s schedule.

Badgers Football announced Monday a home-and-home series against Utah, however the series won’t start until 2028. The two teams have faced each other three times, first in 1961 (a 7-0 Wisconsin win) then again in 1987 where the Utes won 31-28 and again in 1996 with Wisconsin claiming victory 38-10.

Last season, Utah finished 3-2 in the Pac-12 South.