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It’s official — the first practices of 2021 are in the books for the Green Bay Packers.
Yes, those practices just covered the two days of rookie minicamp over the weekend, but it was still a meaningful step in a number of ways. First, the team got its first look at the 2021 draft picks and undrafted rookies; second, it’s a notable step back towards normalcy and a post-COVID-19 football world.
As expected, all of the team’s rookies attended over the weekend, and seven of them have already signed their rookie contracts. Only Eric Stokes and Amari Rodgers remain unsigned, but expect both to take care of that piece of business in fairly short order.
The Packers have a week of classroom work before OTA practices begin next Monday, so it should be fascinating to see who is in attendance at that time. But for now, enjoy the news from some actual on-field practice work as we look around and recap the weekend’s rookie camp.
Eric Stokes, other Packers’ rookies feel right at home on first day of rookie minicamp | Packersnews.com (subscription)
Coaches, players, and reporters alike were happy to be back on the practice field on Friday and Saturday for the first time in 2021.
Packers rookie Amari Rodgers explains why he picked No. 8 | Packers Wire
It's pretty simple - Rodgers wore #3 in college, but that number is retired for Tony Canadeo. So he went with the closest thing visually, "closing it in" and going with 8 -- which was also the only single-digit number available.
Inbox: Friday was all of that and more | Packers.com
Wes takes rookie minicamp questions. Of note from his impressions: Eric Stokes looked the part of a first-round pick, T.J. Slaton is an interesting personality, and keep an eye out for Patrick Taylor this summer in the RB3 battle.
Packers 53-man roster: An Aaron Rodgers prediction, one glaring hole and more – The Athletic (subscription)
Matt Schneidman predicts that Aaron Rodgers will be on the Packers' opening week roster, while continuing to stump for the signing of a veteran inside linebacker.
Bears HC Nagy: Andy Dalton will 'get the one reps' in OTAs after strong rookie camp from Justin Fields | NFL.com
This should be no surprise - teams love to give veteran QBs the reins in spring practices even when drafting a rookie highly. The big questions about Fields' potential to start early will come in training camp.
Man behind ‘Keep Portland Weird’ says city not as weird anymore | KOIN.com
I think that means he failed, right?