Aaron Rodgers 'thankful' for chance to work on mental health this offseason

This offseason has been a difficult one for Aaron Rodgers as he continues to work through his rift with the Green Bay Packers. On Monday, he took the opportunity to open up about his mental health. 

The reigning MVP said before Tuesday's charity golf exhibition that he has taken steps to improve and preserve his mental health this offseason amid questions about his future in Green Bay. 

"I'm very thankful for the opportunity to work on my mental health," Rodgers said, according to ESPN's Ben Baby. "I haven't dealt with bouts of depression or anything, that I think for whatever reason, are OK to talk about if you're talking about mental health. I've just really been trying to think about what puts me in the best frame of mind. What habits can I form that allow me to feel most in my body, most present, happiest? And that's what I've been doing."

Rodgers added that there has often been a "weird stigma" on speaking about mental health if the subject is not mentioning depression or self-harm. He said he has learned a lot about his mental health and is thankful to be paired with Bryson DeChambeau for this year's charity golf match. 

"I think he's often like myself sometimes," Rodgers said. "I think he's a little misunderstood with his own career. I'm excited for him to get the opportunity for people to see him, because I think he's a great dude."

Amid his rift with the Packers, Rodgers did not participate in Green Bay's mandatory minicamp and missed its offseason program. He's reportedly adamant about not returning to the Packers unless general manager Brian Gutekunst is fired.

While the Packers have no plans to trade Rodgers, it was reported over the weekend that the Denver Broncos are still monitoring his situation in Green Bay. 

Rodgers is only the latest athlete to speak out about mental health. In recent weeks, Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open due to mental health concerns, and track star Sam Parsons also opened up about his struggles amid the COVID-19 pandemic.