Packers HC Matt LaFleur: QB Aaron Rodgers absent from OTAs but in 'great spirits'

It was just last week when Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements reminded everyone that veteran signal-caller and reigning Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers "doesn’t need reps at this time of the year" and wasn't expected to do much, if anything, during voluntary organized team activities. 

While speaking with reporters Tuesday, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed expected news that Rodgers was not in attendance for the beginning of OTAs. 

Like Clements, LaFleur didn't sound too bothered by the news. 

"I talked to him for a while last night which was great — just to kind of update him on just where we are and go over a few, like we do every offseason," LaFleur explained, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. "There's always tweaks to what you're doing. But no, he's in great spirits and it was a great conversation. But I wouldn't anticipate seeing him at least this week."

As Myles Simmons pointed out for Pro Football Talk, Rodgers won MVP honors for the 2020 and 2021 regular seasons without participating in an official offseason program, and there were reports at this time last year that claimed the 38-year-old didn't want to play another down for the Packers and could consider retiring if he wasn't traded. 

The future Hall of Famer signed a three-year, $150 million contract extension with Green Bay ahead of the start of the new league year in March. He is expected to report for mandatory minicamp that begins June 7.