To say things didn’t go as expected in Green Bay for former Clemson football wide receiver Amari Rodgers is an understatement.
As the 85th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Rodgers had to be excited to be picked by the Packers, which allowed him to catch passes from one of the greatest quarterbacks of this generation, Aaron Rodgers.
That didn’t happen, or at least it didn’t happen very often, as Rodgers finished his rookie season with just four catches on eight targets for 45 yards receiving.
Still, there was hope for a second-year leap for Rodgers, especially with the departure of a pair of top-end receivers.
Somewhere along the line the relationship between Amari and Aaron Rodgers faltered during the 2022 season and inopportune fumbles on Amari Rodgers’ punt returns didn’t help matters and when that job was lost the Packers released the Clemson alum.
Rodgers finished his 2022 stint in Green Bay with 4 catches for 50 yards, and his little over a year and a half with the Packers with 8 catches for 95 yards.
Rodgers was almost immediately picked up by the Houston Texans who were struggling with ineffectiveness and injuries in their receiving corps and coincidentally enough, Rodgers first game as a Texans was against the Cowboys, the same team that served as the opponent in his last game with Green Bay.
This time though, Rodgers was a key part of a near upset of the Cowboys, hauling in 4 passes (5 targets) for 57 yards and scoring his first NFL touchdown.
Breaking down @arodgers_3 's first TD as a Texan. pic.twitter.com/4wIpPqe37z
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 15, 2022
Just like that, a guy who didn’t score in 26 NFL games as a Packer was on the board in his first as a Texans.
With different expectations in Houston, Rodgers will get the opportunity to play that he rarely got in Green Bay
Let’s be honest, the expectations in Houston are different than those in Green Bay, but that gives Rodgers a chance to learn and grow – on the field – and not be afraid to make mistakes.
A second chance to make his mark in the NFL.
Rodgers, played at Clemson from 2017-2020, totaling 181 receptions for 2,144 yards and 15 touchdowns and was part of the 2018 National Championship team.
Rodgers, the son of Tennessee legend Tee Martin, Amari Rodgers signed with Clemson in 2017 out of Knoxville Catholic High School and quickly became a fan favorite with the Tigers.