Jake Kumerow joke gets a smile out of Packers QB Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers recently told @peter_king he loves TE6 Bronson Kaufusi.

When Rodgers praised Jake Kumerow last year, the Packers cut him and he’s now on the Bills.@RobDemovsky: “I can’t wait to see what Kaufusi does in Buffalo this year.”

Rodgers’ reaction: pic.twitter.com/rR00YUVBjz

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 18, 2021

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers couldn’t hold back a laugh when a reporter made a joke referencing Jake Kumerow during Wednesday’s press conference.

ESPN’s Rob Demovsky delivered the line after Rodgers publicly praised backup tight end Bronson Kaufusi, who is fighting for a roster spot in training camp.

“I can’t wait to see what Kaufusi does in Buffalo this year, but anyway,” Demovsky quipped.

Rodgers couldn’t hold back a smile while taking a drink from a water bottle, clearly shocked by the delivery of the joke.

The back story here is needed: Last summer, Rodgers went out of his way to praise Kumerow on a radio show, only to have the Packers cut him a day later. Kumerow, a favorite of Rodgers, eventually landed on his feet with the Bills in Buffalo.

Has the NFL’s MVP doomed Kaufusi to the same fate?

The frustration over Kumerow’s exit resurfaced in a big way this summer while a conflict brewed between Rodgers and the Packers brass, and the move was often used as an example of a communication breakdown between the quarterback and team on personnel matters directly affecting Rodgers’ job.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the decision to release Kumerow “drove Rodgers nuts” and was a major point of contention for the quarterback as he tried to determine his future in Green Bay.

At the start of training camp, Rodgers explained that a lack of input and communication on some personnel decisions laid at the heart of his issues with the Packers.

Unlike Kumerow last summer, Kaufusi is a long shot to make the roster. It’s possible, however, that Rodgers’ opinion this time around might be enough to get Kaufusi – a converted defensive end trying to make it as a tight end – onto the practice squad.

Or on the next plane to Buffalo. One of the two.