Cheese Curds, 9/3: As Bears game looms for Packers, Rodgers’ audible authority comes up again

This is the story that just will not die. Since the first day of offseason workouts in April, questions have been swirling about how new Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur will deal with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his propensity to change plays at the line of scrimmage.

Because Rodgers could switch into any play in the playbook under Mike McCarthy and LaFleur’s offense typically offers the quarterback far less freedom, this was presented as a major hurdle and issue that could drive a wedge between coach and QB. So far, the two men have handled the near-constant questioning with aplomb, often joking about the media frenzy that has whipped up about this apparent tug-of-war that is really just an area that requires clear communication of expectations.

With the Packers’ opening game quickly approaching, it appears that any lingering questions about Rodgers’ authority to audible out of LaFleur’s playcalls are over. He can do so, period, as LaFleur apparently recognizes the immense asset at his disposal in the form of Rodgers’ brain.

We’ll see for the first time how that functions on Thursday night at Soldier Field.

LaFleur -- Rodgers 'absolutely' has OK to audible | ESPN
The audible question came up again on Monday when Matt LaFleur met with the media. He was as up front about it as he can be, saying that his quarterback will have the freedom to change any playcall. However, the question will be how many options Rodgers has at his disposal to switch into.

Rodgers' 'green light' may not be enough against Bears defense | Packersnews.com
Tom Silverstein argues that the Bears have a major advantage in that they were the first team to really shut down the Rams' offense last year. However, that was with a different defensive coordinator (Vic Fangio is now the head coach of the Denver Broncos), and LaFleur's offense will hardly be identical to Sean McVay's.

Packers’ defense ‘very hungry’ as 2019 gets underway | Packers.com
That's a quote from fourth-year lineman Dean Lowry, who implies that this year's team has a renewed sense of desire and purpose to shut other teams down. Perhaps it is the fact that it's the second year under Mike Pettine or perhaps it's the new faces on the field, but whatever the reason, this unit looks at this season as an opportunity to prove itself as a top defense.

Report: Packers expecting LB Oren Burks (pec) to miss first 4 weeks | Packers Wire
That will be a tougher task with Burks out, but the report now is that he should miss only the first month of the season. That timeline would put him back in time for the Packers' visit to Dallas in week five.

Tough upbringing gives Packers WR Davante Adams 'true edge' - NFL.com
Adams is one of the more confident players on the Packers' roster, and rightfully so. But he doesn't go about boasting about his talent or whining about his targets, in part because of the difficult situations he grew up in.

People with gun demand Popeyes chicken sandwiches in SE Houston | abc13.com
Look, I want to try the sandwich too, but pulling a gun on the store when they're sold out isn't going to make it happen.