Aaron Rodgers has plenty left in the tank, Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said Wednesday.
The Packers traded Rodgers to the Jets in April, ending one of the most successful single-team quarterback tenures in NFL history. Rodgers won four MVPs, including in 2020 and 2021, after being drafted in the first round in 2005.
Getsy was the Packers’ quarterbacks coach in 2019 and was promoted to their quarterbacks coach/pass game coordinator for the next two seasons before joining Matt Eberflus’ staff. He and Rodgers were close friends — and remain so.
“I still think that he has a ton of opportunity to play — and ability to play,” Getsy said before the start of an OTA practice at Halas Hall. “To me there really hasn’t been that slowdown that people talk about. People said there was a slowdown before he got [the last] two MVPs, so it’s kind of that same talk.”
Getsy said Rodgers will benefit from being paired with new Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who served in the same role with the Packers before an ill-fated season as the Broncos’ head coach.
Asked how Rodgers’ departure changes the NFC North, Getsy chose to focus on the Bears.
“We’re in the situation where we’re growing,” he said. “So we’re hoping that we can find our way to where [the Packers] have been. That’s our main focus. I think we need to take another good step this year and I think there’s been pieces put in the building that will let us do that. And then the way that these guys are approaching the offseason gives you pretty good optimism.”
Davis back
Right guard Nate Davis, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract in March, began participating in OTAs earlier this week. He skipped the first two weeks of the voluntary camp.
“He looks great,” Eberflus said. “He’s really worked himself into position, he looks lean and he’s moving well. And we’re excited where he is.”
Davis declined an interview request. Offensive line coach Chris Morgan praised Davis even as he said it was beneficial for his players to be together during practice as often as possible.
“Nate’s consistent,” he said. “Nate is a smart, tough football player. He’s productive. He’s grown in his five years in the league. . . . He’s got a good bank of experience.”
This and that
Eberflus stressed that wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who is recovering from a grisly ankle injury, will be ready for the start of training camp.
He would not commit to Mooney returning during the three-day mandatory minicamp next week.
“He’s right on track and we anticipate him going as soon as possible,” he said.
—- Receiver Chase Claypool and linebacker Jack Sanborn were among those who didn’t practice Wednesday. Claypool has a soft tissue injury.