The Packers have completed their offseason program but have yet to bring Aaron Rodgers back into the fold. Followers of this year’s top NFL storyline can expect to wait a while longer for an end to this impasse.
Rodgers officially became a minicamp holdout last week, incurring more than $93K in fines from missing Green Bay’s mandatory June workouts. Nothing that has surfaced this offseason points to Rodgers budging ahead of training camp, and the Packers appear prepared to wait on more talks until then. No resolution between the parties should be expected ahead of Green Bay’s training camp, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (video link).
Like most teams, Green Bay is scheduled to begin its training camp July 27. The Rodgers holding pattern lasting until then would further drive speculation the reigning MVP will stick to his guns and never play for the Packers again. Team president Mark Murphy made multiple comments over the past month that certainly did not help the situation with the disgruntled superstar, indicating this standoff has divided the Packers’ fan base. He also quoted the late Ted Thompson by calling Rodgers a “complicated fella” last week. The idea that the Packers are bracing for Rodgers’ departure has surfaced around the league, John Clayton of 104.3 The Fan Denver notes.
Rodgers’ latest salvo came during an interview to promote his upcoming appearance on TNT’s The Match. The three-time MVP’s “I’m Offended” T-shirt and his alluding to Matt LaFleur‘s decision not to go for it on the Packers’ crucial fourth-and-goal try late in the NFC championship game came after Murphy’s comments (via Bleacher Report, on Twitter). Rodgers’ one-liner also came a few weeks after he said philosophical differences between he and Packers management created this divide.
Training camp will represent this duel’s next phase. The Packers can fine Rodgers $50K for each day he misses. While this holdout is not believed to involve money, the Packers’ last-ditch hope may be a bet Rodgers will be unwilling to sit out one of his final prime years. The franchise could take this feud the distance by refusing to trade Rodgers and then unloading him in 2022, when Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes teams beyond the Broncos and Raiders may be interested. Rodgers’ value could go up if more teams enter the fray in 2022, but a trade for a 38-year-old quarterback who just missed a full season may also feature reduced compensation compared to what the Packers could receive by dealing him on the heels of an MVP season. It is hard see the Raiders not joining the Broncos in a Rodgers derby this year, were one to take place, but they are not presently believed to be interested.
The longer the Packers wait would also cut into time Rodgers would have to learn another team’s offense, but trade talks are not believed to have taken place in several weeks. This situation may pause for the next five.
The Packers are making a mistake by not getting the highest value for him sooner than later.
Even if they take the “not trade him” path this season, some team will still massively overpay to get him next offseason. Maybe not the star player and 3 high draft picks that’s expected currently, but it’d still be something not far off from that…also next offseason could see more teams in need of a QB. Right now it’d just be Denver or Vegas bidding.
That would be a risky choice. If he pushes them to it, they should make a move. I can’t believe they’d want the whole season overshadowed by this Rodgers thing.
Their trade window doesn’t open until next year due to the cap impact of his existing contract. If the Packers had some official league guidance on next year’s cap escalation that could change.
Whole thing is stupid… just trade him and get it over with !!! Why would you want a guy in the locker room who doesn’t want to be there? Trade him to the Broncos for picks and Bridgwater, if you’re not sold on Love yet. I’m not saying Teddy is going to win them a Super Bowl but his a cheap good/ best available temporary QB Also Teddy would serve as a good mentor to Love and he may be able to do what the Bears are planning to do with Fields.
My personal opinion, if Aaron is forced to sit out the whole year.. he’s done with football. He’ll put on 30 lbs, marry his smoking hot girlfriend, host some Jeopardy or join a pre game show and not have to worry about 250-300+ pound men trying to take his head off.
No responsibilities, he seems to be enjoying that.
She’s not hot
Ok, Hellen Keller.
LOL
Yeah a Hollywood actress with what? 10 leading roles? Because Hollywood is so good at hiring semi attractive leading women to star in major blockbuster trilogies?
I really think its funny reading fat guys with no game criticizing AR’s choice in Hollywood actress he wants to swim in waterfalls…
Too funny.
dschap02 –
Smoking hot? Boy, your standards are awfully low. I mean she’s above average, but very far from smoking hot. I’d have those eyes checked, if I were you…
Says the single guy who probably has never dated a woman in at least 2 years?
I am sure you would not decline her invitation to Hawaii as well.
since the packers are run by workers they don’t think, in a way, what’s best for the team. they do things what are best for them. self-preservation is the motto.
Who hires the front office?
It’s suggested that Aaron Rodgers wants roster control and, honestly, I don’t see a problem with that. Have him help decide which receivers to draft and/or keep. Nothing more. Makes sense for the coach on the field, a guy who has 16 seasons under his belt, help pick who stays or goes.
You likely watch the NBA too. A general manager is hired for a reason. A player is acquired for a reason. You don’t hire either of them to do the other job.
if you are a gm you bring in players your star qb can succeed with. from the moment gutekunst was hired it was obvious he did not want rodgers to succeed. how many good wr’s the team has? only one!
Number 9 offense last season. 9th in passing and 8th in rushing. The packers made it to the NFC championship 2 years in a row. By what standards is this not the epitome of success? 1/3 of the salary cap is eaten up by 1 player. Gutekunst has done a fantastic job building a roster on a tight budget.
Funny how Rodgers keeps bringing up the going for a “FG on 4th down” but has NEVER taken any accountability for not running it in on the previous play. At the very least, he could have got to the 1 or 2 yard line, which may have changed things completely. Also never mentions the numerous wide open receivers he fails to throw the ball to because he’s locked in one one particular receiver (usually Adams). But I guess it’s easier to blame everyone else than take some accountability for your own actions. No respect left for #12.
Why would the raiders mortgage the future to upgrade at their strongest position?
I’m sure some fans feel the future was mortgaged when Gruden was offered a ten year contract.
This is all about getting Love’s trade value up. Rodgers will be back on $100m gtd deal.