Aaron Rodgers only letting 1 reporter break news when he inks new deal
It’s not unusual for big-time athletes to have their favorite journalists who they will leak the best information.
In the 1990s it seemed that wherever Michael Jordan was, NBC’s Ahmad Rashad was in the wings. Two decades earlier, ABC’s Howard Cosell was very close to boxing great Muhammad Ali.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has his own close relationship with a member of the sports media, but it’s not one of the NFL’s noted “insider” journalists.
Everyone expects Green Bay to sign Rodgers to a record-setting contract extension, possibly before training camp kicks off next week.
But when the deal is finalized, ESPN’s Adam Schefter or Chris Mortensen won’t have the story first.
And Ian Rapoport of NFL Network? You’re going to get scooped by your own network.
If you want to find out when Rodgers puts pen to paper, you need to listen to former Packer and current NFL Network personality James Jones.
During a recent appearance on the NFL Network, Rodgers said No. 89 is his guy.
Want the latest on the @AaronRodgers12's contract extension? 👀
👉@89JonesNTAF 👈 pic.twitter.com/DZ68QCF1s2
— NFL Total Access (@NFLTotalAccess) July 13, 2018
The self-proclaimed “Scoop Jones” asked his former teammate when this contract is going to be completed.
That’s when Rodgers let everyone know where and how to find the answer.
“Let me say this. If you want to find out when there’s a contract extension, just follow my guy James Jones, either on the network, or on his Twitter handle,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers made James a household name in NFL circles. Most of the 55 touchdowns Jones scored in Green Bay were from the golden right arm of his buddy.
That even led to an $11.3 million free agent deal for Jones with Oakland.
When Jones left his favorite QB for the big money deal with the Raiders, it was the only time during his career that Jones didn’t average double-digit yardage per catch in his entire career.
The next year, Jones was back in Green Bay.
It would be a mistake to underestimate Jones’ ability to break stories. When Jordy Nelson was cut by the Pack and signed (ironically enough) with the Raiders in March, it was Jones who broke the story.
Breaking News: Jordy Nelson to the @RAIDERS on a Two-Year Deal….15M, 13M Guaranteed
— James Jones (@89JonesNTAF) March 15, 2018
James Jones may soon be known as “Scoop” Jones to his fellow NFL Network colleagues, who would be wise to start following him on Twitter if they want to keep up with the latest Aaron Rodgers news.
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