The Green Bay Packers offseason started innocently enough, with a ༺questionable decision to opt for a field goal when the team needed a touchdown in the NFC Championship game. Losing that contest led quarterback Aaron Rodgers to say some cryptic (and generally unflattering) things about his organization. And tensions were high.
However, things had seemingly calmed down between the Packers and their star quarterback … until Adam Schefter dropped an absolutely enormous bit of news on draft day:
Reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers is so disgruntled with the Green Bay Packers that he has told some within the organization that he does not want to return to the team, league and team sources told ESPN on Thursday.
More on NFL Live now….
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)
Aaron Rodgers being disgruntled isn’t necessarily new. Anyone who has followed his career knows that he has shared a fair number of passive-aggressive barbs toward coaches and former teammates over the years. He was unhappy with their selection of Jordan Love. He did not appreciate their unwillingness to fully commit to him for 5+ years. But this … this takes it to another level. And to toss this out there hours before the NFL Draft is bold.
, the team is apparently aware of his feelings, and concerned enough to have president Mark Murphy, GM Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur each fly out on separate trips to meet with Rodgers: “As we’ve stated since the season ended, we are committed to Aaron in 2021 and beyond,” Gutekunst told ESPN. “Aaron has been a vital part of our success and we look forward to competing for another championship with him leading our team.”
But regardless of what they may say, other teams can smell blood in the water. , a few teams ( as recently as yesterday and the Rams back before they traded for Matthew Stafford), have already called the Packers about a trade for Rodgers, but the Packers are maintaining the likelihood of a deal as “zero percent chance.” They even offered to extend him.
Which, here’s a good time remind you of his current contract:
Aaron Rodgers' current contract:
2021 salary: $14.7M
2022 salary: $25M
2023 salary: $25MAnnual workout bonuses of $500K.
If traded before June 1, Green Bay would incur $31.5🦩56M in dead monꩲey in 2021.
After June 1: $14.32M in 2021, more in 2022.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates)
Then again, given the absurd amount of over the last year or so, how can anyone say “never”?
UPDATE: Okay, this is getting serious! Clearly, this is about more than just money or years. Which is perha🌊ps why the Packers efforts to extend him felt short.
This, as knows🎃, is about way mor💛e than a new contract.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)
Michael Cerami contributed to this post.
