Packers: Quick Thoughts/Observations on Aaron Rodgers Wanting Out
By Paul Bretl
Well, here we are the day of the draft, wondering who the Green Bay Packers are going to end up with in Round 1 and BAM! Adam Schefter drops some enormous news on us.
Just days ago, GM Brian Gutekunst told us “Aaron (Rodgers) is our guy,” but apparently Rodgers doesn’t feel the same
According to Schefter, the MVP is “so disgruntled” with the organization that he does not want to be a part of it in 2021. Schefter would also add that Mark Murphy, Brian Gutekunst, and Matt LaFleur all took separate trips to Rodgers’ California home to meet with him—however, it doesn’t appear that that has helped.
To potentially make matters worse for Green Bay, Ian Rapoport reported that they did offer Rodgers an extension, but he turned it down—which as Jay Glazer mentioned, could be a sign that this isn’t about money.
Where this story goes from here, I have no idea. But with my head still spinning, I tried to put some of my immediate thoughts together.
– To start, while Rodgers is upset, there have also been reports by Schefter stating that teams have inquired about Rodgers but no offers have been made. He also mentioned that Packers have no intention of trading Rodgers—take that as you will.
– It hasn’t been said, but it’s pretty clear that this all started with the Jordan Love selection. Rodgers bit his tongue for about a year but has now let his full feelings be known. Rapoport also added that prior to offering an extension, Green Bay just wanted to restructure Rodgers’ deal, which didn’t sit well with him.
– Rodgers has always played with a chip on his shoulder. In hindsight, we shouldn’t be surprised that he took the Love selection as such a major slight.
– Rodgers has reportedly turned down an extension offer from the Packers but we don’t know the details of that deal. I’m purely speculating but he’s certainly gained quite a bit more leverage over the last few hours that could lead to a new offer from the Packers. Or is it beyond money at this point? The reports seem to suggest that.
– Steve Palazzolo of PFF made a good point, when it comes to winning, the Packers are still likely Rodgers’ best bet. If he were to be traded, odds are it’s to a team with a lesser supporting cast than what the Packers have.
– At this point, it feels like the Packers have to choose between Rodgers and Love — which should be an easy decision — but that begs the question, can the relationship be repaired at this point? If it can, then I imagine the odds of Love being traded this weekend have increased—although increased still may not mean likely.
– Rapoport reported that Rodgers may be a finalist for the role of Jeopardy! Host. Would that draw him away from the game of football? My guess is no, but this entire situation came out of nowhere.
– According to Over the Cap, a trade prior to June 1st would create $5.6 million in cap space for the Green Bay Packers. A move after June 1st would open up $22.5 million.
– There was a report that the Packers told Rodgers they were going to trade him, only to change their mind, and that of course didn’t sit well with QB1. However, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel would discredit that rumor, essentially saying it never happened and would make no sense for the Packers to go that route.
– If there is no saving this relationship, then the Packers have to trade Rodgers now and get as much of a haul as possible. And they should get a huge haul in return.
– Per Mark Schlereth’s sources, a deal between the Packers and Broncos is about “as close to a done deal as it can get.” Denver has plenty of draft capital and young talent to send Green Bay’s way.
– When this was first reported, my gut feeling was that Rodgers would still be under center in Green Bay Week 1. And while I’m not as confident, I’ll still lean that way for the time being.