Cheese Curds, 5/26: A handful of star Packers join Rodgers in sitting out OTAs

Aaron Rodgers not showing up for the start of OTAs was no surprise. What was a bit surprising on Tuesday, when the team practiced in front of the media for the first time, is a handful of the other names who were not in attendance.

All told, ten of the Green Bay Packers’ 89 players chose not to report this week for OTAs. While the workouts are entirely voluntary, two of these individuals have substantial workout bonuses that they are likely to forfeit by skipping the offseason workouts.

Those bonuses come in at a half-million dollars for wide receiver Davante Adams and $700,000 for left tackle David Bakhtiari. Fellow wideout Devin Funchess also has $50,000 in workout bonuses that he will likely miss out on. Of course, all of these players are expected to return for mandatory minicamp in early June.

With those players absent, the Packers have had opportunities to look at some other younger players in those roles. Jordan Love of course took most of the quarterback reps with Rodgers away, but Green Bay plugged Elgton Jenkins in at left tackle with the first-team offensive line while taking a long look at some young cornerbacks as well.

Check out today’s news related to the absences and a few comments from head coach Matt LaFleur following Tuesday’s practice.

Packers not distracted by Aaron Rodgers situation during OTAs | Packers.com
The Packers who are in attendance this week are doing all they can do: working hard on their own craft to get ready for September.

Ten players miss Packers’ OTA practice on Tuesday | Packers Wire
Rodgers was not the only player who is not in Green Bay for OTAs this week. Each of the Packers' top five wide receivers are absent, though Matt LaFleur says he does not believe that was a coordinated plan among that unit. Also among those skipping the voluntary workouts are David Bakhtiari and Jaire Alexander.

Green Bay Packers get another good look at Jordan Love | Packersnews.com
With Rodgers gone and Blake Bortles present but not practicing, Love got all of the reps with the number one offense on Tuesday as the Packers try to figure out what they have in the second-year quarterback.

Penn State and Packers great Dave Robinson still has plenty of stories to tell, from Joe Paterno to Vince Lombardi – The Athletic (subscription)
Robinson, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013, gives a great interview on playing for legendary coaches, racism in college football in the 1950s and '60s, and memories of the Ice Bowl.

Man charged with attempted murder following Gatineau 'cheese challenge' | Ottawa Citizen
Canada, you had my curiosity, but now you have my attention.