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Rodgers continues to make connections

On offense, it's often said everything starts up front. When it comes to Rodger's curiosity, that is where it starts as well.

The offensive line isn't a flashy position. It isn't a position where guys are always loud and boisterous. Rodgers is trying to break them a little though, pull some laughs out of players like center Zach Frazier and guard Isaac Seumalo, who are quiet, reserved and getting a smile out of them can be a challenge.

"I'm trying to be intentional every day I'm here," said Rodgers. "Trying to get Zach to loosen up a little bit. Mason (McCormick) has been a great compadre with that, because he's next to him every single day. It's fun when I get a little laugh out of Isaac and maybe a facial expression from Troy (Fautanu). Broderick (Jones) is probably the most gregarious of the group up front.

"I got a laugh out Darnell (Washington) today, which was fun. Big win, so small victories every day when it comes to the chemistry building stuff. Spent a lot of time talking with the receivers. A lot of text messages after hours with those guys.

"But that's what it's all about. Finding ways to connect with those guys. I have a built-in laugh track because I'm the old guy and I can recycle some old jokes from years past they haven't heard before. Just trying to connect to the guys every single day."

The connection isn't just off the field or in the locker room with jokes. It's happening on the field, with Rodgers giving advice, tips and everything in between to teammates, especially a young receiver like Roman Wilson who he sees a world of potential in.

"I think he's improving every day," said Rodgers. "You can't skew the results from the details. You look at his game the other night, he made a couple splash plays. But we're going to coach him hard. His receiver coach, Art (Smith), and myself on the details, because the details are what make the difference.

"And even though he had a couple of big plays, there's some room for improvement there. Wouldn't say anything if we just thought he was going to be a guy, just any guy that could you throw in. But I think he has a chance to be a big-time talent in the league. So, we're going to hold him to a high standard.

"I'm really happy with him, the way he's played. But we're going to hold him to a standard of excellence that I think he's capable of reaching."

While Rodgers and Wilson's relationship is growing on the field based on reps, he is also making sure his relationship with receiver Calvin Austin III is growing during a time when Austin is sidelined with an injury.

Rodger's locker is just a few from Austin's locker, so he makes sure to keep the lines of communication wide open.

"He sits a couple over from me," said Rodgers. "So just keeping him in the conversation, keep communicating with him. Nobody is more upset about not being out there than him So just trying to keep it positive with him as well.

"It's hard to be hurt any time of the year, but camp, with a new quarterback and kind of building off the year he had last year. I'm sure there's some frustration, but he hadn't shown it. He's one of the happiest guys, one of my favorite guys in locker room.

"I'll be happy to get him back. He was out there for walkthrough today. So, I threw him a couple of balls. Made sure that oblique was feeling good. But I'm excited to get him back out."

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