Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers never considered opting out of the 2020 season but still respects the decisions made by others to opt out, including the one made by Packers receiver Devin Funchess.
“I did not consider it. I was always going to play,” Rodgers said during a Zoom call with reporters on Monday. “I respect any person who decides to opt out. There’s a lot of different circumstances around each individual case.”
The only member of the Packers roster to opt out so far has been Funchess, who was signed in March. Rodgers said he got to talk to the veteran receiver before the decision was official, and he reiterated an appreciation for the difficulty of the decision.
Funchess cited family health reasons for opting out of 2020.
“It’s just a different year. I respect all those guys who decided to make that decision, even Devin,” Rodgers said. “We had a conversation before training camp started and he talked to me before it went public. I told him I respect his decision and a lot of appreciation for how difficult that must be to weigh the love of playing football with the safety of his family. I have an appreciation of that, and absolutely zero judgment.”
Packers defensive lineman Kenny Clark also said Monday that he never considered opting out.
Former Packers such as fullback Danny Vitale and receiver Geronimo Allison have also opted out.
