It’s been almost three weeks since the Adam Schefter, ESPN bomb went off on draft night that Aaron Rodgers, after 16 years, reportedly played his last game for the Green Bay Packers.
Since then, sources close to around the three time NFL Most Valuable Player have offered suggestions that included Rodgers wants General Manager Brian Gutekunst fired. That he’s talked with several teammates about being careful when considering contract extensions because he might not be returning with them. A round of golf recently with Denver Broncos President John Elway fueled speculation that the Rocky Mountains might be a trade destination.
Other former teammates of Rodgers, like A.J. Hawk, James Jones and John Kuhn have intimated the chasm between the quarterback and the franchise can be closed with better communication and possibly contract guarantees above and beyond the three years remaining on the Rodgers existing deal.
Meanwhile in Green Bay, everyone from President Mark Murphy, to Gutekunst and Head Coach Matt LaFleur are still saying Aaron is our guy and we are doing everything possible to ensure he will be the starting quarterback beyond the 2021 season.
As for Rodgers, he’s shown up at the Kentucky Derby and most recently, at a Karaoke bar in Hawaii with his girlfriend Shailene Woodley and friends and on Monday night, he finally spoke publicly about the rift.
Rodgers was a guest of Kenny Mayne who was hosting his final ESPN SportsCenter broadcast.
The 10 minute visit was mostly about Rodgers admiration of Mayne’s career at ESPN and the friendship they struck producing several humorous Mayne Event skits over the years.
Mayne of course, was well aware what his viewers wanted to hear, and that’s Rodgers’ feelings about the only team he’s ever played for and when asked directly if he’s demanded a trade, Kenny got this response from number 12.
Rodgers carefully failed to mention the front office by name, perhaps intimating Gutekunst, Murphy and even Russ Ball are among the reasons he feels the organization’s philosophy has changed by planning for the future even while Rodgers continues to play at the highest level. Gutekunst even admitted after the draft that communication over last year’s number one choice of Love could have been better. But for that to create the divide that has Rodgers so adverse to the current culture that he might sit out the 2021 season or possibly retire to leverage his way out of Green Bay remains baffling to almost everyone.
There was very little clearing of the murky waters even with Rodgers’ first comments on the impasse.
To no surprise, Rodgers has decided against attending the voluntary organized team activities which began on Monday in Green Bay. It’s the first time in his career he has not taken part in the off-season program. By not attending at least 80 percent of the off-season schedule, Rodgers stands to lose a $500,000.00 workout bonus in his contract. If he skips the mandatory mini-camp set for June 8-10, he’ll forfeit another $95.000.00 and if he holds out once training camp begins in late July, he could be subject to fines reaching $50,000.00 per day.
A couple of other veterans with extremely high workout bonuses did arrive on Monday. Za’Darius Smith, due to earn $750,000.00 and Kenny Clark at $600,000.00, checked in to team facilities and are expected on the field when the first practice open to the media takes place today.
The Packers announced the release of defensive back KeiVarae Russell on Monday. He was on the practice squad almost the entire 2020 season but got activated late in the regular season and was active, ahead of a healthy Josh Jackson, for both playoff games last year.
