Aaron Rodgers on Bye Week Advice for Packers Teammates: 'Don't Get COVID'

Aaron Rodgers had apt advice for his teammates that summed up the times for the 2020 NFL season. 

"Don't get COVID," the Green Bay Packers quarterback said when asked what message he had for the team as it heads into its first-round playoff bye, per Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Green Bay clinched that bye and the No. 1 seed in the NFC with Sunday's 35-16 victory over the Chicago Bears.

Rodgers may have also clinched the MVP award with his performance, as he went 19-of-24 for 240 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. The final stat line would have looked worse if Chicago's secondary didn't drop three potential interceptions, but No. 12 was largely in control and spread the ball to eight different pass-catchers.

Going 13-3 and earning the No. 1 seed was even more important this season, as there was only one first-round bye available for a revamped playoffs that also features seven teams from each conference.

Telling his teammates not to get COVID-19 during the time off underscores what the NFL has been up against all season.

Each week is filled with uncertainty about which players will be available and if games will even be played as the league attempts to finish the season amid the pandemic. One of the bigger storylines in the NFC is the availability of New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara, who was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.

The Saints figure to be one of Green Bay's biggest challengers in the playoffs, but that would probably change if Kamara is not available.

Green Bay will try to heed its quarterback's advice and stay healthy while it watches the rest of the league in the wild-card round.