The Green Bay Packers were just a game away from the Super Bowl last season. The Packers lost to the eventual champs Tampa Bay in the NFC Championship game. Despite the team choosing not to draft a WR or sign one in free agency, the Packers still had a top offense. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and head coach Matt LeFleur seem to be on the same page and it shows. Rodgers was named MVP after throwing a ridiculous 48 TDs. However, things in Green Bay are in disarray. Rodgers has no interest in returning to the team and the team has yet to, at least publicly, appease him.
It’s been a week since the initial fallout, but it does not appear that tensions have eased. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst seems to be the main source of Rodgers’ ire. Gutekunst is mainly responsible for the decision to trade up and draft Jordan Love. While there is nothing wrong in drafting for the future, the Packers chose not to consult Rodgers. Rodgers returned the favor this year by dropping a bomb on draft day that he’s done with the team.
In comparison, Chicago told Andy Dalton they were drafting a QB (Justin Fields). Despite Dalton never actually playing for the team, Chicago GM Ryan Pace still had the common courtesy to give him that heads up. Pace commented on his conversation with Dalton after the Bears made the pick, “That communication and clarity for us is really important.” That could easily be seen as a dig at their biggest rival. Could you imagine Rodgers hearing that Andy Dalton who has never lined up under center for Chicago was given more respect than he was by the team who drafted him sixteen years ago? Even Bucs GM Jason Licht told Tom Brady that the team might draft a QB.
Green Bay chose to use their top draft pick on a CB. It’s not a bad pick, but they could have made a statement to Rodgers by taking a top WR. They did pick up a wide receiver in the third round when they drafted Amari Rodgers out of Clemson. However, this was probably a season too late. Green Bay did not draft a QB so they must feel somewhat confident that the situation will work itself out by the start of the season. Currently, the worst-case scenario is Jordan Love will be under center. According to Adam Schefter, the team is exploring other options at quarterback as well.
It’s really the immaturity of it all for me. Clearly, a long-overdue conversation needs to happen between the Packers’ front office and Rodgers. There is no reason this “drama” should have gotten this far. Currently, Rodgers has the upper hand as the team would collapse without their star QB but if they release him that’s a very expensive cap hit. That hit would only go up if they trade him before June 1 so don’t expect the team to make any movements before next month.
On the other hand, if Rodgers does decide to sit out he would take a massive financial hit personally. It’s hard to imagine anyone would hold a grudge and lose out on over $44 million (with bonuses), but that could very well be the case. Money might not be a motivation. Rodgers could retire and possibly become the new host of Jeopardy. One thing is for sure, this conflict will simmer well into next month when mandatory minicamp begins.
It’s hard to believe the Packers find themselves in quarterback drama once again. When Rodgers was drafted Green Bay failed to notify Brett Favre and caused immediate tension with their franchise QB. Favre spoke on the current mess in Green Bay and believes that Rodgers is done there.
