“The mental side of it is so important for all of us athletes,” Rodgers said. “I don’t think it’s talked about enough. But taking time to work on yourself is, I think, the best gift any of us can give ourselves.”

He’s right in general, but this is the first time that Rodgers has tied any of the drama of the past several months to a broader focus on his mental health. If the confusion and contradictions and complaints traced back to his broader mental health and well-being and not simply a desire to leave the Packers and finish his career elsewhere, common sense suggests we likely would have heard something about that before July 5.