Aaron Rodgers’ Old Friend Currently Available on NFL Free Agent Market
There's a bargain-bin free-agent option available for the New York Jets to sign and doing so would provide another familiar face for Aaron Rodgers upon the 39-year old quarterback's highly-anticipated arrival.
Wide receiver Jake Kumerow, a former favorite of Rodgers from their days in Green Bay, has yet to find a suitor on the market after spending the last three seasons with the Buffalo Bills.
It was reported that the Packers strained their relationship with the franchise quarterback when they released Kumerow prior to the 2020 NFL regular season.
At the conclusion of the Preseason, Rodgers highlighted the hard-working receiver’s on-field ability while speaking as a guest on Sirius XM NFL Radio.
“Jake Kumerow has been such a solid performer for us for the last couple years. I love his reliability. I think he’s a fantastic, steady player who’s very heady on the field, he makes plays. He plays with a lot of confidence, and he’s a guy you love having on the squad,” said Rodgers during the radio interview.
As fate would have it, the Packers cut Kumerow in the 48 hours following Rodgers’ comments.
Initially entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2015, the 6-foot-5 Kumerow landed with Green Bay two years later.
Kumerow played all 32 games for the Packers during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, but the special teams Swiss Army knife received limited snaps on offense.
Over a two-year span, the tall target totaled 20 catches for 322 yards and two touchdowns. More than half (12) of his 20 receptions resulted in first downs.
Kumerow has flashed ability at the NFL level, but he was never able to become a fixture on Buffalo’s offense and his 2022 season was derailed by a lingering high ankle sprain.
The ability to perform effectively on special teams makes the 31-year old an appealing choice for a reserve receiver.
It was reported that Kumerow’s special teams prowess, which included kick and punt coverage, was a key factor in swaying the Bills to keep him on their 53-man roster in 2022 instead of protecting receiver Isaiah Hodgins, who had immediate success upon landing with the New York Giants in November.
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