Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK

Packers' Christian Watson opens up about time with Aaron Rodgers

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson has only good things to say about Aaron Rodgers even though the star quarterback appears headed to the New York Jets. 

"I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity to play with him my rookie season and be able to pick his brain," Watson said of Rodgers during an appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show," as shared by Matt Audilet of The Spun. "My number one goal going into last year was just to pick the veterans' minds as much as possible. You never know when those guys are going to be done or when they’re gonna be gone so I just tried to learn as much as possible from him."

The Packers traded All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders last March and subsequently spent a second-round draft pick to land Watson. Watson understandably wasn't a superstar directly out of the gates, and it was later suggested that the first-year pro was among Green Bay players sometimes confused by the numerous hand signals Rodgers used during games. 

Watson indicated during his interview that Rodgers was an ideal mentor. 

"Whenever I had a question, whenever I had something in my mind even if it seemed like a dumb question, he was always open to answering that for me and giving me his mindset on that," Watson continued about Rodgers. "I think he helped me develop a lot. I think he helped me gain that confidence that I gained later in the year with his confidence in me."

The Packers are apparently ready to move on from Rodgers and start 2020 first-round draft pick Jordan Love, and Rodgers has made it known he intends to play for the Jets this coming season assuming the two clubs come to terms on a trade. 

"Us younger guys had meetings with Jordan Love weekly going into the later weeks of the season and we had quite a bit of younger guy developmental stuff that we did early in the season so we got reps in with him," Watson said about who is presumed to be his new QB1. "I think that relationship and that connection is strong already." 

In total, Watson ended his rookie season with 41 receptions for 611 yards and seven touchdowns. Love likely will need the 23-year-old to improve upon those numbers for Green Bay fans to not regret the massive decision made by those running the organization this offseason. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
New Michigan HC Dusty May secures another impact transfer
Panthers advance by eliminating Florida rival Lightning
Dodgers veteran reliever placed on injured list
Report: Celtics star might have dodged catastrophic injury
Report sheds light on Bengals, Tee Higgins contract talks
Knicks wing out for Game 5 against 76ers
Five undrafted rookie free agents who should make a 53-man NFL roster
10 potential fantasy stars from the 2024 NFL Draft
Surging Twins get starting shortstop back from injury
Travis Kelce inks record-setting contract extension with Chiefs
Falcons GM expands on curious Michael Penix Jr. draft decision
Colorado forward, top-20 prospect declares for NBA Draft
Former Philadelphia Eagles star reportedly joining ESPN
Five NFL starters who could be in danger of losing their job to a rookie
Chiefs, Travis Kelce agree to two-year contract extension
Insider details reason for Spencer Rattler's fall in 2024 NFL Draft
Five-time Pro Bowl WR expected to make NFL comeback with Jaguars
Rockies expected to promote top outfield prospect
Tarik Skubal, pitching staff have Tigers on playoff trajectory
Insider shares big prediction about NFL expanding regular season

Want more Packers news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.