Jeopardy, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers
It’s no secret that Aaron Rodgers has been unhappy with Packers’ management for years. Whether it has been issues with their draft selections, favorite teammates who were cut, contract issues or communication lapses, the Packers’ MVP has made it clear he wants out.
The Packers’ management has made it clear they do not want to depart with their three-time MVP, but it is hard to commit to a 37-year-old quarterback who seemingly won’t commit to you long term.
The most notable and understandable perceived slight starts with the Packers’ draft selections and not putting players around Rodgers who will contribute on the gridiron. Over the span of Rodgers’ career, he has shown the ability to run a competent offense with whoever he has around him. Whether it was being handcuffed by Mike McCarthy’s antiquated offense or throwing to unknown wide-receivers, a Rodgers-led offense has never finished lower than 15th in points scored on offense, with the exception of 2017 due to injuries sustained during the season to Rodgers that only allowed him to play seven games.
Rodgers’ ability to make the offense work with unknown names led the Packers front office to largely ignore not just skill positions but offense overall during the draft, specifically in the first round. Since Rodgers took over the quarterback position, the Packers have NEVER drafted a non-quarterback, in terms of skill position, in the first round.
Going further, during Rodgers’ tenure as the starting quarterback, the Packers have drafted defensive players with ten first-round picks over 13 years. The three offensive players that were drafted? Two offensive tackles and a replacement quarterback in Jordan Love in the 2019 draft.
Along with the lack of draft help, it has been reported that Rodgers was furious at the cutting of wide receiver Jake Kumerow earlier this season to make room for younger wide receivers.
While I am all for players advocating for others, it is a bit bizarre to see the three-time MVP being so up in arms for a wide receiver who has a measly three career touchdown receptions.
One could also assume that Rodgers was not pleased when the Packers chose to cut Jordy Nelson as well. Not only do they own the franchise record for most TDs between quarterback and wide receiver, additionally they were close friends on and off the field. It is unknown how many more cap casualties have been close to Rodgers that have led to this increasing desire to separate himself from the Packers.
Rodgers' bone to pick with the Packers additionally lies in the fact that the team seemingly refuses to commit to him long-term. While he is making a large amount of money for this upcoming season, the season after gives the Packers a window to cut bait with Rodgers for a cap hit that is easy to swallow if they so feel.
This looming deadline is one that certainly is a cause for concern within Rodgers’ party. With the draft selection of Utah State quarterback Jordan Love, the lack of commitment is concerning for the future for Rodgers as it would be easy to hit the restart button on the quarterback position if the Packers feel Love gives them a better opportunity to prepare for the future.
It has also been reported that the Packers offered to make Rodgers the highest-paid quarterback in the league around the Super Bowl, but that offer was rejected.
The rift for Rodgers also lies in the Packers’ apparent poor communication in terms of roster moves and draft moves. Not only did the Packers trade up to draft Love, but he has not been in the loop on players he may or may not want on the roster and other personnel decisions that affect him directly. For a franchise-altering player such as Rodgers, there is an expectation in the modern NFL that they deserve to be in the loop on personnel decisions that directly affect them, yet the Packers do not include Rodgers on draft day decisions or other personnel choices.
Rodgers has not been shown the same treatment as some of his peers in terms of personnel decisions such as Tom Brady in Tampa. (Mark Lomoglio, Associated Press)
Most of Rodgers' vitriol is pointed at Packers’ general manager, Brian Gutenkunst, and other members of that front office. Rodgers reportedly went as far as to make fun of Gutenkunst by referring to him as “Jerry Krause”, the harshly criticized former general manager of the Chicago Bulls in Packers’ player’s group chats. Rodgers apparently wants Gutenkunst fired, yet that shoe has yet to drop.
On the less-reported side of things, it is rumored that Rodgers’ engagement to Hollywood starlet Shailene Woodley is also pulling Rodgers away from the Packers as they want to be in a bigger city outside of Green Bay due to filming conflicts or whatever other reason. Rodgers himself has dabbled in Hollywood recently, having a turn at hosting ten episodes of ‘Jeopardy!’. He stated he has a desire to host full time as opposed to just guest spots over a ten-episode stretch. But this easily could be post-career planning for Rodgers. Though, if the Packers and Rodgers cannot come to an amicable resolution for the upcoming season and Rodgers decides to sit for the season in protest, it is certainly a good plan to fall back on for the superstar.
Rodgers took a swing at hosting ‘Jeopardy!’ foreshadowing a post-career move? (Screengrab from Jeopardy!/Youtube)
This entire situation is messy to say the least, while it is easy to understand Rodgers’ desire to depart Green Bay for a better situation, the question must be asked; is there a quarterback-needy team that possesses the assets to trade for Rodgers and the ability to compete at the level the Packers have been at the last few seasons? Two NFC Championship Game appearances and 26 wins over that stretch for the Packers certainly makes that a hard argument. The alternatives are certainly lacking and it seems this Rodgers and Packers feud doesn’t have an easy answer for the near future.
