The Aaron Rodgers situation does not appear to be losing steam. Attending the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, the Packers quarterback indirectly indicated issues exist between he and Packers management.
After speaking with Rodgers, NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico said the quarterback is “disappointed” news of the rift between he and the Packers’ front office became public (via CBS Sports’ John Breech). Rodgers did not address the situation publicly, though there is little doubt the reigning MVP’s camp has voiced his concerns behind the scenes during draft weekend.
[RELATED: Aaron Rodgers Wants Out Of Green Bay]
A weekend report indicated Rodgers is adamant he will not play for the Packers again under current GM Brian Gutekunst. The fourth-year GM denied that the reigning MVP communicated that to him.
“Aaron hasn’t said anything like that to me and certainly hasn’t said anything publicly,” Gutekunst said, via ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky. “I think that’s a little unfair to put that on him. Certainly don’t like to hear those things, but no, nothing’s been communicated directly to me.”
Gutekunst, Matt LaFleur and Packers president Mark Murphy have met with Rodgers in Los Angeles. Those meetings are not believed to have gone well. Green Bay’s surprise first-round selection of Jordan Love, which brought Rodgers’ long-term future with the franchise into question for the first time, has continued to drive a wedge between the quarterback and the front office. One of the sticking points in this drama is Rodgers’ issue with Gutekunst not communicating to him ahead of time intentions to draft Love. Gutekunst also said he could have handled that situation better, via the Washington Post’s Adam Kilgore (on Twitter).
Gutekunst said this week he will not trade Rodgers. A Rodgers retirement prospect has since surfaced, which reminds of 2011’s Carson Palmer-Bengals standoff. The Broncos, Raiders and 49ers are believed to be preferred Rodgers trade destinations, should this situation reach that point. San Francisco having traded two future first-round picks for the right to select Trey Lance would seemingly take the team out of the running, even though John Lynch confirmed he reached out to the Packers on the perennial Pro Bowler.
Rodgers-to-Denver rumors gained steam Thursday, and while the Broncos appeared to keep options open at quarterback by passing on Justin Fields and Mac Jones, no serious trade buzz has transpired. This prospective deal, however, remains a possibility, according to 9News’ Mike Klis, though this stalemate may be a ways away from legitimate trade rumors emerging.
For his part, LaFleur said what you might expect him to say when asked about the Rodgers situation. “[Rodgers is] our leader of our team,” LaFlauer said (video link via the team’s official website). “I want nothing more than to see him back in a Packer uniform. In my eyes, he’s the greatest to ever do it. I don’t care about Super Bowls or what not. But we want him back here.”
When asked how he would feel if Rodgers doesn’t have a change of heart about wanting to leave, LaFleur said, “I can’t ever take my brain to that spot right now. I just want to do everything in my power to ensure that doesn’t happen.”
Regardless of what happens on the Rodgers front, Gutekunst said the Packers will add another quarterback before training camp, per Demovsky. Tim Boyle, Rodgers’ backup of the past two years, is now with the Lions. That leaves Love as the only other QB on Green Bay’s roster. The Utah State alum has yet to take a regular-season snap.
Gonna enjoy seeing packers burned to the ground. Poorly managed franchise that without rodgers will become irrelevant
People said the same thing in 2008…
I actually recall Favre getting most of the flak back then because he would pull a will-he-won’t-he retirement routine every offseason. I just googled it, and he only announced he’d come back for the 2005 season in March of 2005, just a month before the Packers drafted Rodgers. So the Rodgers pick made sense.
Then Favre kept delaying (googling shows he announced his intentions to play in 2006 on April 25, 2006). He actually retired in March of 2008 then waffled for a few months before deciding he wanted to play again.
In other words, 2008 was a totally different situation. People weren’t calling out the Packers for mis-management, they were annoyed with Favre for being wishy-washy. If the Packers move off of Rodgers now, I can totally see them being terrible for a few years at least.
No one said this in 2008
As a Packers fan I 100% agree that the front office has mismanaged the team. Ted Thompson’s last few drafts were nothing short of putrid. He got some good talent on swings, but failed miserably up front.
Well Tats, I think the GM has made some mistakes and maybe he is a little arrogant or headstrong or whatever. But I think it is a really well run franchise. We definitely compare well within our division.
Wait til you don’t have a HOF QB in charge. Then you’ll see how the organization is actually run. Having a GOAT QB covers a lot of flaws.
A LOT of flaws.
“We definitely compare well within our division.”
That division has the Bears, Lions, and Vikings, so that bar is quite low.
The current Packers are only a poorly run organization if your comparing them to the teams of the Lombardi era.
I think managing to piss off the one player you need to take care of- your one and only hope of getting back to the Super Bowl- qualifies as poor management.
Poor management is deluding yourself into believing a single player can win you a championship title without a solid supporting cast on both sides of the ball.
Anyone believing Rob Demovsky is an authority on Packers football likely believes the “virus” vaccine is also legitimate.
Strong statement of support for a guy named Rob Demovsky.
Teams generally regress in the short term after losing a HOF QB but well run organizations like the Packers and Patriots will not be spending the next decade or two mimicking bottom feeders like the Lions and Jets.
Packers are Not a portly run franchise. 3 losing seasons in the last 28 years proves that. Even without Rodgers the Packers will still thrive
Geez Rogers put your big boy pants on and stop the cry baby routine!
I think you should and realize there is very little actually coming from him in these articles.
I believe that Aaron cried his way out of a coaching staff that was completely restaffed with his approval. He is now complaining about the front office.
They should once again give Mr Rodgers what he wants and place him on the Reserved/Retired list. The Packers will retain his rights, he will not count against the cap, and Aaron will be free to per sure any other interests he likes.
The main argument against this will be The Packers get nothing for Aaron Rodgers. Well — 7 time pro bowl, 2 time league MVP, and a Super Bowl MVP. Great value from a 1st round pick. The retired/reserve list has been used for less.
LMAO McCarthey is one of the worst coaches in football and stayed in Green Bay years after his expiration date. This is why no one can take the people who rag on Rodgers seriously. Yeah he should have got McCarthey fired. You say that like it’s a bad thing.
McCarthy is terrible and if Rodgers is the one who pushed him out, he should be commended, not chastised.
Not saying anything about the quality of the coaching staff, looking at the actions of the player.
As far as the GM and front office of the Packers, I thought they were selected by an executive committee that is selected by a board of directors? Could be wrong?
Might have been avoided had the Packers actually signed or drafted a solid receiver this year or last year to help Adams out. They did neither.
Amari Rodgers? One of the best slot options available this year
The # 14 ranked receiver according to CBS
Not ranked in top 10 by pff
#26 ranked according to walterfootball
#16 ranked by drafttek
Very similar to Ty Montgomery they drafted years ago in the 3rd round
6-0 221lbs Montgomery 4.55 40
5’10” 212lbs Rodgers 4.52 40
Randall Cobb came out at
5’10 191lbs and 4.46 40
If the packers wanted a slot guy like Randall Cobb
Tylan Wallace 5’11” 194lbs 4.5 40
Dynamic Briwn 6-0 195lbs 4.45 40
Marquez Steveson 6-0 190 lbs 4.43 40
They should have signed Robby Anderson or Emmanuel Sanders last season and this season though.
I Beg to Differ is right. Of course, outside of the top three receivers, all of the Day One and Two wideouts this year were really essentially the same mold of player, minus Bateman. If you look at the list, nearly all of them clock in at under 6’ and mostly under 200 lbs, and all are shifty, athletic receivers.
I don’t think Rodgers stands out particularly within that group, but the Packers really did not have many options this year-yet another obvious reason that they should have drafted one last year or gone more aggressively after a good veteran option before the draft. It’s not like this is a surprise-they knew who was going to be available this year.
The Packers haven’t drafted an offensive weapon with any 1st round pick in his tenure. They don’t deserve him.
Rodgers last year had the best center, guard, tackle, and WR in football with a top 5 RB to boot. What other QBs have weapons like this? Also, why the hell would you use high draft picks on offensive players for the #1 offense in the year last season that’s already gaining Devin Funchess?
Devin Funchess really? That’s who you want to say is some great addition? You’re allowed to have more than one elite WR btw.
He didn’t describe Funchess as great. They don’t need an elite receiver, just someone who can draw attention from Adams. Funchess is still only 26 and has the size to be a solid possession receiver.
Funchess may be even worse than MVS, who is absolutely terrible.
This. Adams > Evans. Jones > Fournette
Tonyan> Gronk. (Yes better than Gronk). Bucs win the SB on the strength of their D.
But you’re forgetting Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown which is really the crux of this discussion. The Bucs have multiple talented wideouts.
Green Bay has Adams, Jones, Tonyan
Tampa has Godwin, Evans, Brown, Gronk, Howard, Jones, Fournette, & now Bernard
That’s a huge difference in the amount of playmakers. Rodgers has every right to complain.
Lol Tonyan is not better the Gronk. You also failed to mention Godwin and Brown…..
What, do you think football is a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors? My guy beats your guy, your guy doesn’t count?
Besides, you’re pretty wrong about some of that. Adams and Evans are comparable at Evans’ worst, and Tonyan is not a blocker in the slightest. Evans and Adams are far from the same player. Gronkowski came on again at the end of last year, and at his worst is comparable. You’re also conveniently forgetting Tampa’s other wideouts, elite defense, other tight ends, and trio of backs. It’s not having an elite starter (of which Green Bay has just one other than QB), it’s having options.
More than that, it’s making an effort. The Packers have rolled with the same type of offensive weapons for years without making a real effort to upgrade it, despite falling just short of the Super Bowl. Tampa went out and bought an entire team of Pro Bowlers. Rodgers wants some effort, and seeing Brady get that effort to help and then beat his team on the way (even after throwing three consecutive picks!) is why Rodgers is mad. Being angry that your doesn’t want to win is actually the only good reason to be unhappy in football.
One first round pick on offense since 2012… his replacement.
Pack I think are showing their poker face now. They know Rod is not coming back without current management is gone, but the current will stay with the new QB. So, management says he is staying so teams who are interested are going to have to give up some 1st round draft picks in the coming years. If the Pack don’t act confident Rod stays, the deals from other teams lessen to one first round draft pick. Just my opinion.
“One of the sticking points in this drama is Rodgers’ issue with Gutekunst not communicating to him ahead of time intentions to draft Love.”
Honestly, I don’t blame Gutekunst for not telling Rodgers. I have no doubt that Rodgers would’ve leaked that info and upset the Packers’ draft.
Yep. It’s also not his job, it’s the GM’s. No different than Watson thinking he should have had a say in any personnel decisions. They are players, not front off people.
These are franchise QBs. There is a difference. You think when Brady went to TB last year that he didn’t have a hand in a bunch of those moves they made? Ordinarily I would agree with you, but not with guys like these.
Of all the things with this story the one thing I refuse to believe is he didn’t want this to be public. This was leaked and so was his threat to retire and I’m sure that was part of his and his agent’s strategy.
Rodgers thinks he’s the smartest person in every room and he must think we’re idiots.
Your fired up about this man. What’s the outcome you want to happen about this?
Teddy Bridgewater + KJ Hamler + Patrick Surtain + 2022 1st round pick and 2023 2nd round pick.
I don’t see Patton giving up Surtain. He gives more depth just as much as talent to this defense who faces Mahomes and Herbert twice a year.
An extra draft pick instead is more feasible for the Broncos.
Depends how much Green Bay would value him. I feel you could easily give him up knowing you’ve got Fuller Darby and Callahan already in the roster at CB. That backfield defence also has Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson too.
I think more like Drew Lock, Hamler, a first next year, a third next year, and a second the year after. No way they trade Surtain… they could also afford to send a Linebacker like Josey Jewell.
Why keep Bridgewater if trading for Rodgers, not to mention Packers have Jordan Love they wouldn’t care for Drew Lock, they would likely prefer Bridgewater. Plus I think it would take more talent/picks hence why I’d offer Surtain if they were really keen on him. Like I said you have some alright corners he’s not a desperate need
Again, we have to look at the competition in the West. LA and KC are too loaded on offense for us to give up such a high end talent like Surtain. I understand your perspective, but I’d rather give up draft picks, Bridge, and Hamler or Sutton.
Bridgewater makes more sense, he would only cost $3 million on a one year deal and the Packers would have him to give Love more time if needed.
Or how about, Baker Mayfield, David Njoku, Denzel Ward, 2022 1st round pick and 2022 3rd round pick
Interesting quote by Aaron Rodgers in 2020:
“I learned a lot over those years working with Brett, things I can bring to the relationship with Jordan and just understand the mindset. I went through it as a young 21-, 22-, 23-year old playing with my idol as a teammate. I’ll definitely take those lessons with me. Like I said before, I’ve always had great relationships with my backups, and I always love helping those guys out in any way. The more questions they have, the more answers I have. I’ve really truly embraced those relationships, and it’ll be the same with Jordan.”
This seems like he wasn’t being honest at all. Rodgers can do whatever he wants, but after complaining about how Farve treated him for years and saying he wouldn’t do the same just last year he is being more than hypocritical.
“after complaining about how Farve treated him for years and saying he wouldn’t do the same just last year he is being more than hypocritical.”
Rodgers’ complaints about Favre are that Favre kept saying he was retiring, then he wouldn’t retire. He did this just before they drafted Rodgers in 2005, then again in 2006 and 2007, then actually retired in 2008 before deciding he wanted to play again.
What has Rodgers done to Love that makes him hypocritical here? It’s like people have forgotten how absurdly Brett Favre went about his business back then.
that’s great, but did he bet on Medina Spirit?
Not sure, but he did place a bet on a horse named “Bye Wisconsin”
Consider where a lot of this drivel is coming from…..ESPN….whose sensationalism only rivals that of CNN.
Unreliable and misrepresented facts half the time. Anything for a story….
Brett Favre sitting back eating popcorn right now
Hahahahaha, the only “hot take” in all the comments on this issue I agree with. lol.
Brett Favre is driving a tractor right now, gone, forgotten, used up like a dirty dish rag. Everyone seems to have forgotten the “I am going to retire” routine that went on for years. Then after retirement trying to remain relevant but not smart enough to do so.
I feel like this GM is a perfect scapegoat for the front office.
Fire him, blame him for drafting Love, give Rodgers another year and this drama goes away.
Best deal packers could get is based around David Carr or Russ Wilson?
a Wilson-Rodgers swap screams of Wise-Carlton
Mike Klis frequently reports hunches as factual. He’s kind of a gossip columnist more than a reporter at times, but he has tenure, so he’ll be the primary source cited by most national outlets.
Gutekunst is really making this situation worse by the day by continuing to pretend that nothing is wrong. Maybe Rodgers is faking his disappointment in the news become public, but it likely would have been leaked by him or his representatives anyway if Gutekunst continued to deny Rodgers any of his requests. Gutekunst and Rodgers are obviously both stubborn, but the difference to me is that Rodgers has earned the status he has (even if he could arguably be overestimating it) whereas Gutekunst has only demonstrated incompetence and a stubborn refusal to acknowledge his surrounding circumstances since taking office.
If he wants any chance at repairing this relationship, Gutekunst needs to quit pleading ignorance and publicly acknowledge Rodgers’ displeasure. If not, he needs to quit being so stubborn and trade Rodgers. As stubborn as Gute is or may be, we’ve seen that Rodgers can be equally as stubborn and petty as well. Rodgers won’t just come back to the Packers without getting some measure of what he wants.
Truly agree with your assessment that Gutekunst is making it worse by playing ignorant. The other big difference between the two is that Rodgers CAN throw a pass for a touchdown. Gutekunst cannot.
Rogers can go through with his threat to retire, wait 5 years and waltz into the Hall of Fame. Gute can “win” this game of chicken, watch the team struggle without Rodgers, and spruce up his resume hoping for another job in an NFL front office.
Love the way you referred to as a game of chicken, because to Gutekunst, that’s exactly what it is. Rodgers I truly believe will be just fine in retirement-either way, he doesn’t feel any pressure to go back to Green Bay. I agree with y’all that I would consider Gutekunst’s handling of the last two years fireable. Some people play their cards close to their chest and look smarter. Gutekunst playing dumb actually just looks the part. I don’t know if he thinks he’s Belichick by refusing to acknowledge obvious facts in press conferences, but he’s not making good moves afterward. He just looks like a spoiled child crossing his arms, pouting his lip, and stubbornly shouting “No” until his mother drags him out of the room.
Gutekunst needs to be fired along with Mark Murphy for their outstanding ineptness in drafting and communication but the Packer board will probably foolishly support him Murphy and Green Bay will slide back into mediocrity as in the late 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and most of the 90’s.
The late 60’s. They won Super Bowl II in 1968. Most of the 90’s. They were in the playoffs every year from ’94 to the end of the decade. You are literally wrong.
Large BBC
Save your wishlist for Santa Claus
Isn’t it past your bedtime Junior?
If the Packers keep him, he’ll pout and create drama.
Pretend you’re going to work everything out and keep him to at least try to maintain some leverage.
Then move him for as many picks in the next two drafts and maybe one of the top picks from this year’s draft* before they sign their rookie deals (*I believe this would prevent any cap penalties as they’d have trading for a player under contract).
They’d have to hit on the picks, but this path would be a more viable one to another title than hoping to put the toothpaste back in the tube with Rodgers for another year or two.
Move him now.
PS- I think the cap penalties would be too insane but a Rodgers for Russel Wilson deal would seem to make a lot of sense, actually.
Obviously you know nothing and are a a Rodgers/Packers hater to voice that tripe.
Isn’t it Rodgers vs. Packers now?
An opinion supporting one is inherently opposing the other.
Can one be a hater of both?
But, again, I must admit…I can’t remember the last time I saw a player with such an army of angry fan boys.
The Rodgies will not be silenced. No one is allowed to insult the man they love.
I actually agree with your original post. It’s not ideal for Green Bay, but realistically, what are your options? You can’t refuse to accommodate your HoF and keep him. He’s got enough of a resume to be comfortable doing what he wants at this point, independent of your team strategy, up to and including retirement.
As for the angry fanboys comment, I think Brady is a much better example. In any case, I don’t recall Brady (or any other elite QB, really) being in this sort of situation. Brady did leave New England for this type of reason, but unlike Green Bay, New England did put effort into building an elite defense and thus had at least a reasonable excuse for their offensive breakdown down the road (not to mention a past history of bringing in elite offensive talent on some form, unlike the Packers). Teams generally try to accommodate their franchise’s needs. And if the Packers did, Rodgers would likely be more accommodating to them as well, especially pay-wise (ala Big Ben or Drew Brees in the last two years).
Yoko Woodley
Complete twist on the words. No way he lets his Packers legacy end this ugly. He’s disappointed this hell is happening to people who care about him. He’s hanging with die hard Packer alumni players watching the derby…
Trade him to the Texans for Watson. Drama for drama.
Except Watson’s got legal and civil suit drama and may not play in 2021, if ever again.
“the quarterback is “disappointed” news of the rift between he and the Packers’ front office became public”.
Hilarious!
It’s hard to say they’ve mismanaged the team when they’ve won so consistently the last 30 years. Kind of reminds me of the Braves in the 90’s. Really should’ve won a few more rings but always very competitive.
I don’t think Gutekunst has been running the team that long. And two Superbowls to show for 30 years of HoF level QB play is not something we’ve seen before. 3 trips total, including the one loss. If HoF QB play only leads to one Super Bowl appearance a decade, either the team needs more help outside of QB or HoF QB play isn’t worth as much as we seem to think it is.
Two SBs for 30 years of HOF level play would be underachievement if there were no other elite QBs in the league but that is never the case. Brady’s success has convinced fans that you should be winning titles every year but even Tom had the benefit of a great coach and supporting cast around him that helped make it possible.
One appearance a decade is overachieving? HoF QB doesn’t guarantee an appearance, no, but when you have a reputation as one of the NFL’s best run franchises, you need to back it up. We don’t expect SB wins like that from QBs, no, but we should expect it from teams or we should consider them underachievers if they’re being supplied with top of the line QB play. Roethlisberger has been to as many SBs as Green Bay has in 30 years, with the same record. Elway went to 5. Montana of course won 4. Bradshaw won 4. It’s not just Brady making us expect more.
Well run franchises win Superbowls when given high quality QB play because they manage the rest of the team to give them the best chance to win. Players are judged by stats, teams are judged by wins. Green Bay has had two of the best quarterbacks to ever play for three decades, and only managed a pair of Super Bowl wins to show for it. What’s more is that Green Bay has had the same GMs for most of that tenure. They never really had organizational instability or massive rebuilds. They were steady, and gave their management plenty of seasons to build their version of the roster. It wasn’t just bad luck or a few select chances. It is certainly fair to judge them for that.
Maybe Aaron (or a proxy) shouldn’t have leaked the story to the media if they didn’t want the story leaked to the media. The Packers have nothing to gain from a public feud like this and Rodgers has everything to gain.
In a league full of selfish divas Rodgers stands out in that category. Now he wants to get the GM fired? I don’t remember Gutekunst throwing three picks in the NFC championship and failing to deliver on multiple opportunities in the redzone.
Rodgers threw one pick in the championship game…
What a way to completely destroy a legacy of one of the most prolific, fantastic, loved players that took 15+ years to create. Destroyed within 6 months. The world looks at you much differently now. Congratulations, buddy. So sorry that your feelings got hurt.
Rodgers may be a childish prima donna but that doesn’t alter the fact he has been an elite QB that will deservedly end up in the HOF. His legacy is secure.
It doesn’t even matter who’s right and who’s wrong in this whole situation. The fact that it’s being thrown in our face and being a constant source of media blitz in a negative light makes Rodgers the loser. No question about it.
Unfortunately, if your a high profile player like Brady, Watson or Rodgers and you have a gripe with management, your not going to make any headway keeping the rift in house…you have to bring fan pressure against your employer and that can only be done by going public with your complaints.