The Green Bay Packers take the lead in the NFC, also because against the Cardinals the duo Aaron Rodgers and Randall Cobb delivers. The two share a special friendship that extends far beyond the football field.

Munich – The headlines after the Green Bay Packers’ 24-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals mostly belonged to Rasul Douglas and his interception.

But it was a veteran and familiar duo who had laid the foundation for the Wisconsin club’s seventh win in eight games.

Handicapped by some absences like star receiver Davante Adams (COVID-19), wide receiver Randall Cobb delivered a proof of his importance in the Packers game.

Three times he caught the pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers for a total of 15 yards, including two touchdowns. A strong yield.

Rodgers taught Cobb the Packers playbook

Without question, it was returnee Cobb who caught the important balls from a Packers standpoint, underscoring that Rodgers’ efforts paid off. After a turbulent offseason in which everything seemed possible for Rodgers between a trade, staying with the Packers and the end of his career, Cobb was reportedly a condition for Rodgers to stay in Wisconsin.

The star quarterback and the wide receiver have a special friendship that goes far beyond the football field.

It was Rodgers, for example, with whom Cobb initially lived after his return to the Packers. Then, under the same roof, it was the Packers quarterback who introduced Cobb to the Packers’ playbook under Matt LaFleur.

“Of course, there were times when the TV was on and he wanted me to stop a few times when it was too much information at once. But I wanted to teach him everything as quickly as possible,” Rodgers told me a few weeks ago about their time together with Cobb.

The wide receiver commented, “You know how he is and how his brain works. Mine works a little different, so I had to tell him, ‘OK, that’s enough. I’m learning this from my coaches because you’re too fast for me right now.'”

But despite those differences, Cobb looks back on his time under Rodgers’ roof with gratitude. “We’ve probably hung out together more than we have in the past three years combined. “

Aaron Rodgers: “It was a great time until Aiyda came along “

Rodgers quipped with his trademark humour: “It was a great time until Aiyda (Cobbs’ wife; ed.) came along and the fun was over.”

The fun had previously been a bit lost on Cobb on the field after he left the Packers in 2019. He first signed a one-year, five-million-dollar contract with the Dallas Cowboys before joining the Houston Texans for three years and $27 million in 2020.

But in Texas he was unable to build on his previous performances and, on top of that, missed the last six games of the season due to a toe injury. After the Texans started a rebuilding process because the situation around quarterback Deshaun Watson seemed too opaque, it was clear that Cobbs would have to pull up stakes after only one season.

For a sixth-round pick in the upcoming draft, the Packers brought back the “prodigal son.” Just two hours passed for Cobb after the trade was announced before he headed straight to Wisconsin and Buddy Rodgers. His wife and their two children together had to manage the move without him.

“I got to see the other side, too, and I’m very happy to be back. My teammates said I’m acting like I’m out of jail,” the 30-year-old told Green Bay on his introduction.

“Everybody loves a fairytale ending after all “

No question, what belongs together is coming back together, at least from Rodgers and Cobb’s perspective. But Packers fans may have welcomed the return, too, after Cobbs delivered decently in Week Four against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The wide receiver caught five passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns and has yet to miss a game.

The close personal bond with “Packers mastermind” Rodgers could also become a real X-factor in the crucial weeks of the season. With a record of now 7-1 and the top position in the NFC, Super Bowl dreams are once again ripening in Wisconsin. While Rodgers triumphed back in 2011, Cobb was only drafted by the Packers two and a half months after that.

“Reunited with his friends, with a chance to make a Super Bowl run. It feels like everything is falling into place. Everybody loves a fairy tale ending, right?” said Cobb’s wife Aiyda of her husband’s return to Green Bay.

Rodgers and Cobb probably wouldn’t mind a possible title fairytale either.