Report: Rodgers wants new contract (Update: May not want to return in 2021)

[PeaveyFury]

Is there anything to ever say the Packers have tried to appease Rodgers on any of the things he seems to have a gripe with?

 

Is there anything to say they haven't?

[Fear The Chorizo]

I’d argue a major problem with this is the fact he thinks they want to trade him after 2021. If they are committed to trading him, regardless of performance, he rightfully has a reason to not want to play for them. Now it seems like Rodgers wants a big extension to assure him that they won’t trade him after 2021. Something I can’t really blame him for demanding. What player wants to be the MVP and feel like their team is planning their departure? That’s kind of insane to be honest.

 

I don’t think there is any chance Rodgers comes back to get traded next offseason. Either they trade him now, extend him, or he just flat out won’t play.

 

Agreed to an extent, but then considering the 2021 cap hit Rodgers' current deal carries for next season and his refusal to sign the initial reported extension/restructuring the Packers' brass offered, you've got to question what it is he's really looking for. Is it the simple fact he wants to basically guarantee his next (and likely final) 4-5 seasons are played in Green Bay and Love essentially becomes nothing more than a trade chip an offseason from now? If that's the case then I'd implore Packers' management to make that happen and I'd bet it would have already been done and over with when Gute was restructuring everyone left and right a couple months ago. I think it's a bit more complex than that. I think he wants to end his career elsewhere and realizes the time to put the screws hardest to the Packers to get to a team he wants to play at is now - particularly because Love isn't ready to be be the starter on this team with no preseason game experience. It's more on Rodgers' terms now than it ever will be, a full season before the Packers were likely wanting to make that decision - but he doesn't want to just come out publicly and say as much because of what he knows it will do to his legacy with Packer fans. Instead, everybody gets dragged through the mud a bit and nobody comes out smelling rosy.

[MrTPlush]

Is there anything to ever say the Packers have tried to appease Rodgers on any of the things he seems to have a gripe with?

 

Is there anything to say they haven't?

 

Solid response

[PeaveyFury]

Is there anything to ever say the Packers have tried to appease Rodgers on any of the things he seems to have a gripe with?

 

Is there anything to say they haven't?

 

Solid response

 

I'd give it a B. I should have said 'anything definitive....'

[MrTPlush]

I’d argue a major problem with this is the fact he thinks they want to trade him after 2021. If they are committed to trading him, regardless of performance, he rightfully has a reason to not want to play for them. Now it seems like Rodgers wants a big extension to assure him that they won’t trade him after 2021. Something I can’t really blame him for demanding. What player wants to be the MVP and feel like their team is planning their departure? That’s kind of insane to be honest.

 

I don’t think there is any chance Rodgers comes back to get traded next offseason. Either they trade him now, extend him, or he just flat out won’t play.

 

Agreed to an extent, but then considering the 2021 cap hit Rodgers' current deal carries for next season and his refusal to sign the initial reported extension/restructuring the Packers' brass offered, you've got to question what it is he's really looking for. Is it the simple fact he wants to basically guarantee his next (and likely final) 4-5 seasons are played in Green Bay and Love essentially becomes nothing more than a trade chip an offseason from now? If that's the case then I'd implore Packers' management to make that happen and I'd bet it would have already been done and over with when Gute was restructuring everyone left and right a couple months ago. I think it's a bit more complex than that. I think he wants to end his career elsewhere and realizes the time to put the screws hardest to the Packers to get to a team he wants to play at is now. It's on his terms a full season before the Packers were likely wanting to make that decision - but he doesn't want to just come out publicly and say as much because of what he knows it will do to his legacy with Packer fans. Instead, everybody gets dragged through the mud a bit and nobody comes out smelling rosy.

 

Sure, I’m not doubting the possibility he may want to be traded first and foremost. I just think if that is the case he would rather stick it to the Packers and force it now. If he is that disgusted I wouldn’t be overly shocked if he flat out will not take another GB snap.

 

And yah, there is always the possibility the Packers just refuse and he can’t stand just not playing all year. However, if he is really that upset and doesn’t want to play here I can’t imagine that going over well. Why would either side even want to try and go through that.

[PeaveyFury]

I think the key question continues to be, what is Aaron's actual end goal here? And that truly continues to be a question that seems harder to answer by the day.

 

In the end, the Packers remain his best chance to win a Super Bowl in 2021, regardless of the plan thereafter. If I hear the words 'he wants a trade' uttered again within an article talking about his 'competitive nature', I'm going to shake my head in disgust, because he's proving that the latter is secondary to his ego.

[brewcrewdue80]

Theres no way Green Bay plays a down with A-Rod at QB. Just look at this thread's responses. The only way it could happen is Green Bay put it upon themselves to remove any media questions about this. Like literally ban interviews and post game conferences involving players all together. Just Gutey and Lafluer. So the moment some reporter goes to ask about the Rodgers situation they shut it down and end it all right there. It is a cancer that the media reporting will drum every week throughout the preseason, season, and post season in to the offseason if Rodgers is still a Green Bay Packer. How can all the other players handle that through 17games that aren't close to Rodgers' vest? If you're not in his inner circle and first thing a reporter goes to ask you after a game becomes-Any news on the Aaron Rodgers saga? Is this rumor true? Would GB trade for X player? Do you want X-Player or Rodgers on your team? Meanwhile, the guy is Stokes or Savage after a 2Int game, or Gary after a 2 sack game, or Dillon after a 100plus game with 2TDs, and this is what is coming post game. Some NY or Espn reporter that will just remain relentless to drum up drama and rumors. All until this is resolved. Good luck with that.

[MrTPlush]

I think the key question continues to be, what is Aaron's actual end goal here? And that truly continues to be a question that seems harder to answer by the day.

 

In the end, the Packers remain his best chance to win a Super Bowl in 2021, regardless of the plan thereafter. If I hear the words 'he wants a trade' uttered again within an article talking about his 'competitive nature', I'm going to shake my head in disgust, because he's proving that the latter is secondary to his ego.

 

That’s the mystery. The extension was suppose to be part of it and the rumor is they would be willing to give him the highest yearly salary ever. I believe Gute has also said he is willing to go to Rodgers for input in the future (another problem Rodgers had). This is where rumors start not adding up and you can tell a bunch of BS is being spewed all over the place past just to already proven BS rumors.

 

I also think he can be very competitive and not want to play for the Packers. Yeah, he is their best chance on paper, but a few other teams would be close with him on the team. It’s not like his other options are the bottom of the barrel teams. If he demanded a trade and went to a 7 win team with him playing...yeah, not a competitive move. However, he would likely land with a team with a strong chance to win the Super Bowl. Is a free agent not competitive if they don’t sign with the Chiefs of Bucs?

[LouisEly]

Theres no way Green Bay plays a down with A-Rod at QB. Just look at this thread's responses. The only way it could happen is Green Bay put it upon themselves to remove any media questions about this. Like literally ban interviews and post game conferences involving players all together. Just Gutey and Lafluer. So the moment some reporter goes to ask about the Rodgers situation they shut it down and end it all right there. It is a cancer that the media reporting will drum every week throughout the preseason, season, and post season in to the offseason if Rodgers is still a Green Bay Packer. How can all the other players handle that through 17games that aren't close to Rodgers' vest? If you're not in his inner circle and first thing a reporter goes to ask you after a game becomes-Any news on the Aaron Rodgers saga? Is this rumor true? Would GB trade for X player? Do you want X-Player or Rodgers on your team? Meanwhile, the guy is Stokes or Savage after a 2Int game, or Gary after a 2 sack game, or Dillon after a 100plus game with 2TDs, and this is what is coming post game. Some NY or Espn reporter that will just remain relentless to drum up drama and rumors. All until this is resolved. Good luck with that.

A fair point, but because of the salary cap everything they trade for is probably going to have to be future picks. They can't take on any salary without restructuring or trading Adams, and will Adams restructure if he knows Rodgers is gone?

 

That being said... the picks they could get for Rodgers and Adams would be quite a haul.

[JosephC]

Theres no way Green Bay plays a down with A-Rod at QB. Just look at this thread's responses. The only way it could happen is Green Bay put it upon themselves to remove any media questions about this. Like literally ban interviews and post game conferences involving players all together. Just Gutey and Lafluer. So the moment some reporter goes to ask about the Rodgers situation they shut it down and end it all right there. It is a cancer that the media reporting will drum every week throughout the preseason, season, and post season in to the offseason if Rodgers is still a Green Bay Packer. How can all the other players handle that through 17games that aren't close to Rodgers' vest? If you're not in his inner circle and first thing a reporter goes to ask you after a game becomes-Any news on the Aaron Rodgers saga? Is this rumor true? Would GB trade for X player? Do you want X-Player or Rodgers on your team? Meanwhile, the guy is Stokes or Savage after a 2Int game, or Gary after a 2 sack game, or Dillon after a 100plus game with 2TDs, and this is what is coming post game. Some NY or Espn reporter that will just remain relentless to drum up drama and rumors. All until this is resolved. Good luck with that.

A fair point, but because of the salary cap everything they trade for is probably going to have to be future picks. They can't take on any salary without restructuring or trading Adams, and will Adams restructure if he knows Rodgers is gone?

 

That being said... the picks they could get for Rodgers and Adams would be quite a haul.

 

I've found OverTheCap to be pretty accurate with the numbers they post.

 

https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/green-bay-packers/

 

Using the drop down menu in the header of the of the Dead Money & Cap Savings column, it indicates that trading Rodgers after June 1st clears 22.85 million off the Packers salary cap. I'm not saying that's completely accurate because I haven't cranked the numbers myself, but it does demonstrate the Packers might not have their hands tied in picking up some young, quality players in a Rodgers trade.

 

If I were in Gutekunst's shoes, I just can't imagine trading Rodgers for something like two first round picks, a second round pick, a third round pick and maybe a couple day three picks when there is a good chance that both first rounders would be in the 20's or 30's. No thanks. Now if a deal had been made prior to the draft and the first round pick in this year's draft was...say #8...that changes things and makes the scenario a maybe depending on what other picks are involved. Now that we are beyond the draft, I think the only way that I would consider dealing Rodgers was if it included not only two first round picks but also a fairly attractive package of players as well.

[JimH5]

Look on pro-football-reference.com and see who are the franchise leaders in approximate value. He's #2 all time, behind only Favre. And he has enough left to surpass Favre, as the most valuable player in the most storied franchise in the sport. He's #1 in completion pct, yards per game, interception percentage, QB rating. He's the best player the team will see in a very long time.

 

You go out of your way to placate him.

 

So what you're saying is that 13 years ago, you would have done everything possible to placate 3-time MVP Favre, thus never giving Rodgers the opportunity to achieve those accomplishments, right?

 

You know better than I do about Favre's play. But the differences as I see them are that it had been years since Favre was an MVP. He had been playing at a reduced level for a few years before his last year in GB. Rodgers is coming off an MVP this past season. Favre was a year older (and significantly more banged up) than Rodgers is now. So I don't think Favre had earned the deference that I'm giving to Rodgers now.

38-yo Favre seemed like the end was near. 37-yo Rodgers has never been better.

[PeaveyFury]

Look on pro-football-reference.com and see who are the franchise leaders in approximate value. He's #2 all time, behind only Favre. And he has enough left to surpass Favre, as the most valuable player in the most storied franchise in the sport. He's #1 in completion pct, yards per game, interception percentage, QB rating. He's the best player the team will see in a very long time.

 

You go out of your way to placate him.

 

So what you're saying is that 13 years ago, you would have done everything possible to placate 3-time MVP Favre, thus never giving Rodgers the opportunity to achieve those accomplishments, right?

 

You know better than I do about Favre's play. But the differences as I see them are that it had been years since Favre was an MVP. He had been playing at a reduced level for a few years before his last year in GB. Rodgers is coming off an MVP this past season. Favre was a year older (and significantly more banged up) than Rodgers is now. So I don't think Favre had earned the deference that I'm giving to Rodgers now.

 

So accomplishments, awards, and franchise leaders in approximate value only matter when it fits the argument?

 

By your own admission, Jim, not only are you not a football fan, but you actually have questioned the morality of football itself. What are you hoping to prove here?

[Fear The Chorizo]

Look on pro-football-reference.com and see who are the franchise leaders in approximate value. He's #2 all time, behind only Favre. And he has enough left to surpass Favre, as the most valuable player in the most storied franchise in the sport. He's #1 in completion pct, yards per game, interception percentage, QB rating. He's the best player the team will see in a very long time.

 

You go out of your way to placate him.

 

So what you're saying is that 13 years ago, you would have done everything possible to placate 3-time MVP Favre, thus never giving Rodgers the opportunity to achieve those accomplishments, right?

 

You know better than I do about Favre's play. But the differences as I see them are that it had been years since Favre was an MVP. He had been playing at a reduced level for a few years before his last year in GB. Rodgers is coming off an MVP this past season. Favre was a year older (and significantly more banged up) than Rodgers is now. So I don't think Favre had earned the deference that I'm giving to Rodgers now.

38-yo Favre seemed like the end was near. 37-yo Rodgers has never been better.

 

Rodgers has had his collar bone broken twice, broken foot, multiple concussions, a calf tear, and a significant mcl sprain and bone bruise in his knee that have cost him significant portions of seasons and limited his performance in others - health wise he's been much, much better just like any late 30s nfl player would be. I'd actually argue Rodgers is more worn down physically than Favre was at this stage in their careers, and definitely more of an injury risk.

[tmwiese55]

Correct to Jim. Favre's TD/INT the three years before leaving were 20/29, 18/18, 28/15. They did go 13-3 the last year but were bad the two before including a 4-12. All while he was threatening or dancing with retirement for several off seasons in a row. GB management probably would be legit in fearing a Barry Sanders situation where it's late offseason like August and he just says he can't do it anymore and is done. Keep in mind he usually didn't come to offseason stuff all those years. And then after like the 5th year in a row of hemming and hawing they finally said enough is enough. Likely aided by seeing a kid in practice and thinking he might be the most accurate thrower they've ever seen. None of that was going on with Rodgers here, it was a totally different situation than what happened here. Maybe Love does look really good though, I have no idea.

[SeaBass]

The longer this goes on and the more things that keep getting added to the story I think Aaron Rodgers has given the Packers a tremendous gift: A way to trade him, wash their hands of him, get some value back from him and have the majority of the fan base mostly be fine with it. Because I guarantee if things had gone the way Rodgers feared, a scenario where Rodgers continues to play at a high level but the Packers decide to move on in 2022 anyway to begin the Jordan Love evaluation era, the fans would scream bloody murder and riot in the streets (ok not actually) like when the Favre stuff happened. They wouldn't have been able to do it. Now they can.

[MrTPlush]

I don’t think the fanbase is really going to be fine with it unless Jordan Love works out and quicker rather than later. Is the Packers are 5-11 I don’t think the fanbase is going to be overly pleased.

[tmwiese55]

I don’t think the fanbase is really going to be fine with it unless Jordan Love works out and quicker rather than later. Is the Packers are 5-11 I don’t think the fanbase is going to be overly pleased.

 

Yup, there was plenty still fuming over Rodgers since they went 6-10 in spite of him playing great. It was still his fault. Love will have a tremendous uphill battle in front of him.

[SeaBass]

Nothing that happens from here absolves Love from being criticized for his play. I'm also not sure Love will for sure be handed the starting job if Rodgers gets traded, the Packers are likely to acquire a veteran to compete for the job this season.

 

There are going to be fans that are full throated Rodgers supporters no matter what, there will just be a lot fewer of them because of the way it's going down.

[MrTPlush]

The main reason it won’t be a total disaster (if it happens) is because people are already used to it via Brett Favre. If that didn’t exist in history I think we would have to build a new stadium because the current one would be burnt down.

[pacopete4]

Trade him to MM and the Cowboys. Now that’d be funny.

[JimH5]

I'm not trying to prove anything. I'm trying to engage in conversation. And I think my not being a fan is a unique perspective.

 

What I'm most surprised by is the nearly full chorus of fans who are siding with management over the player--especially a superstar player who is at the top of his game and who (I think) has been without scandal.

 

It seems as though he liked a "last guy on the roster" teammate (Krumerow) who was cut by Gute. And it seems as though he's unhappy that the team spent a high draft pick on someone who they want him to groom to be his replacement.

 

And for reasons unknown to all of us (besides the ones I mentioned), he doesn't like the GM. Maybe he feels disrespected, maybe he wants more input on the roster, maybe Gutekunst has communication issues...whatever... But the almost universal response--from people who have been ardent fans his whole career, and for whom he has played at a historic level--he's now seen as a primadonna, selfish diva malcontent.

 

I just think it's weird. Gutekunst vs Rodgers, and everyone is taking Gutekunst's side.

 

Rodgers has been world class. 48 TDs and 5 INT. He holds the two highest QB rating seasons in history. And because he's not a good soldier, so many people are done with him.

 

I get it. The team will be there long after Rodgers' career is over. But why is he obligated to go along with Brian Gutekunst's plan for his career? What if Rodgers sees himself playing into his 40s? And what if he wanted to do it in Green Bay with teammates with whom he felt most comfortable? It doesn't seem to me that Brian Gutekunst is interested in accommodating such a request. From a guy who is the reigning MVP, and the face of the franchise.

 

And people are siding with management over the guy who has delivered so much glory. To me, that's remarkable.

[rickh150]

I'm not trying to prove anything. I'm trying to engage in conversation. And I think my not being a fan is a unique perspective.

 

What I'm most surprised by is the nearly full chorus of fans who are siding with management over the player--especially a superstar player who is at the top of his game and who (I think) has been without scandal.

 

It seems as though he liked a "last guy on the roster" teammate (Krumerow) who was cut by Gute. And it seems as though he's unhappy that the team spent a high draft pick on someone who they want him to groom to be his replacement.

 

And for reasons unknown to all of us (besides the ones I mentioned), he doesn't like the GM. Maybe he feels disrespected, maybe he wants more input on the roster, maybe Gutekunst has communication issues...whatever... But the almost universal response--from people who have been ardent fans his whole career, and for whom he has played at a historic level--he's now seen as a primadonna, selfish diva malcontent.

 

I just think it's weird. Gutekunst vs Rodgers, and everyone is taking Gutekunst's side.

 

Rodgers has been world class. 48 TDs and 5 INT. He holds the two highest QB rating seasons in history. And because he's not a good soldier, so many people are done with him.

 

I get it. The team will be there long after Rodgers' career is over. But why is he obligated to go along with Brian Gutekunst's plan for his career? What if Rodgers sees himself playing into his 40s? And what if he wanted to do it in Green Bay with teammates with whom he felt most comfortable? It doesn't seem to me that Brian Gutekunst is interested in accommodating such a request. From a guy who is the reigning MVP, and the face of the franchise.

 

And people are siding with management over the guy who has delivered so much glory. To me, that's remarkable.

 

I think a plan out of this could be just giving Rodgers more guaranteed money in 22. Rodgers saves some face- that should be important to the Packers- and says the whole thing was overblown by the media. Or just tell him to win a Super Bowl and we will give him his outright release.

[pacopete4]

I'm not trying to prove anything. I'm trying to engage in conversation. And I think my not being a fan is a unique perspective.

 

What I'm most surprised by is the nearly full chorus of fans who are siding with management over the player--especially a superstar player who is at the top of his game and who (I think) has been without scandal.

 

It seems as though he liked a "last guy on the roster" teammate (Krumerow) who was cut by Gute. And it seems as though he's unhappy that the team spent a high draft pick on someone who they want him to groom to be his replacement.

 

And for reasons unknown to all of us (besides the ones I mentioned), he doesn't like the GM. Maybe he feels disrespected, maybe he wants more input on the roster, maybe Gutekunst has communication issues...whatever... But the almost universal response--from people who have been ardent fans his whole career, and for whom he has played at a historic level--he's now seen as a primadonna, selfish diva malcontent.

 

I just think it's weird. Gutekunst vs Rodgers, and everyone is taking Gutekunst's side.

 

Rodgers has been world class. 48 TDs and 5 INT. He holds the two highest QB rating seasons in history. And because he's not a good soldier, so many people are done with him.

 

I get it. The team will be there long after Rodgers' career is over. But why is he obligated to go along with Brian Gutekunst's plan for his career? What if Rodgers sees himself playing into his 40s? And what if he wanted to do it in Green Bay with teammates with whom he felt most comfortable? It doesn't seem to me that Brian Gutekunst is interested in accommodating such a request. From a guy who is the reigning MVP, and the face of the franchise.

 

And people are siding with management over the guy who has delivered so much glory. To me, that's remarkable.

 

If Rodgers didn’t hide behind the media and just told it like it is, I’d have more respect for him and the situation. That’d be my first talking point here. He’s a sensitive dude that’s very intelligent. He will play these games all day. I’d actually like if the Packers flat out ignored him and continued to go about their business. If that includes an extension or restructuring of a contract, fine. If it doesn’t, either we will see ya in the fall or we won’t. Enough of the media games.

[CheeseheadInQC]

I'm not trying to prove anything. I'm trying to engage in conversation. And I think my not being a fan is a unique perspective.

 

What I'm most surprised by is the nearly full chorus of fans who are siding with management over the player--especially a superstar player who is at the top of his game and who (I think) has been without scandal.

 

It seems as though he liked a "last guy on the roster" teammate (Krumerow) who was cut by Gute. And it seems as though he's unhappy that the team spent a high draft pick on someone who they want him to groom to be his replacement.

 

And for reasons unknown to all of us (besides the ones I mentioned), he doesn't like the GM. Maybe he feels disrespected, maybe he wants more input on the roster, maybe Gutekunst has communication issues...whatever... But the almost universal response--from people who have been ardent fans his whole career, and for whom he has played at a historic level--he's now seen as a primadonna, selfish diva malcontent.

 

I just think it's weird. Gutekunst vs Rodgers, and everyone is taking Gutekunst's side.

 

Rodgers has been world class. 48 TDs and 5 INT. He holds the two highest QB rating seasons in history. And because he's not a good soldier, so many people are done with him.

 

I get it. The team will be there long after Rodgers' career is over. But why is he obligated to go along with Brian Gutekunst's plan for his career? What if Rodgers sees himself playing into his 40s? And what if he wanted to do it in Green Bay with teammates with whom he felt most comfortable? It doesn't seem to me that Brian Gutekunst is interested in accommodating such a request. From a guy who is the reigning MVP, and the face of the franchise.

 

And people are siding with management over the guy who has delivered so much glory. To me, that's remarkable.

 

Maybe I just have a low tolerance for personality-driven drama. The whole siding with management vs. players argument rings a bit false to me if only because "management vs." usually implies a collective and make no mistake this is all about Rodgers. What about all the Packers draft picks who were denied their moment in the sun because Rodgers sucked all the oxygen out of the room? What about Malik Taylor, the guy who likely edged out Kumerow for the last spot, knowing that your team leader was fuming that you weren't cut instead simply because you weren't one of his buddies? What about Love, who he is pretty much guaranteeing is going to have to go through all the negative stuff that Rodgers did when he started out? What about that am I supposed to be supporting?

[reillymcshane]

John Kuhn said that he has talked to Rodgers, and while he doesn't directly quote Aaron, he has some general takeaways.

 

Rodger feels the club wants to move on from him after 2021. He wants some sort of guarantee that the team is committed to him longer term than just this year.

 

He said stuff like this: "I think that he wants more insurance that he’s going to be a long-term starting quarterback option for the Green Bay Packers." and "he doesn’t want to do it on a lame-duck contract". That sort of thing.

 

You can read the entire thing here.

 

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/05/05/john-kuhn-says-aaron-rodgers-trying-to-take-destiny-into-his-own-hands/

 

Perhaps Rodgers went to the club and asked for the more longer term guarantees - and was rebuffed. Or it wasn't what he felt was fair. It was just one of a growing list of things that bugged him - so he let the story leak that he wanted to be dealt to force the Packers' hand.

 

Sadly, the longer this lasts, the more Rodgers looks like diva. I heard Rodgers got booed when his AmFam TV commercial showed up on the scoreboard at the Brewer game. And the more people turn on him, the more likely he is to dig in his heels and say screw you to the Packers and the fans.

 

I would hope that Rodgers would make a statement along the lines of "I have not asked for Gute to be fired. I have talked to the club about securing my future in Green Bay (and those talks are ongoing or I am weighing my options or the ball is in the Packers court or whatever). I love the Packers. I love Green Bay. I love Wisconsin. I love the fans. I want to be here. For a lot longer. I feel that my performance demonstrates I'm capable of leading this team at a high level for quite a bit longer. I'm wiling to commit to that if the Packers are."

 

Now, people are going to say, 'Did you ask to be traded?" And how he answers is going to depend on what he did. If he didn't ask for a trade, he can flat out deny it. Great. If he did ask for a trade, he might be able to say something like, "I told the organization that if they didn't want me beyond this year, I'd prefer they move on from me now - rather than leave me as a lame duck."

 

Of course, people will ask about Kumerow and Love and all that stuff - and Rodgers can be honest about things in a nice, but vague, fashion. "Yes, I've disagreed with some decisions the front office has made. Yes, there have been times where the front office has not elected to discuss moves that affect me. I'm not asking to make personnel decisions, but who we line up at WR or on the offensive line affects how I prepare and play the game. And regarding draft picks and free agents - who doesn't want good players surrounding them. I want to win a ring."

 

You get the idea. Rodgers has the ability to put this back into the Packers court - putting the onus on them. In fact, if they did tell him some weird stuff (such as they were going to trade him), then he say that sort of stuff. But I doubt it happened. I'm betting the club is counting on him being a motivated soldier again - and will assess things again next year.

 

But the longer the silence from Rodgers, the longer I think this could turn out badly. With the money at stake, I'm guessing Rodgers comes back and plays - but he won't be doing the team any favors. That could lead to a toxic environment as players take sides. Some will resent Rodgers. Others will back him. And the front office ends up looking just as petty. Sadly, no one ever usually wins in that situation - including the fans.

 

Of course, this is all my speculation - and my hopes of how we move on. Rodgers may very well be hell bent on getting out Green Bay. In which case, he'll just sit back and let things play out.

 

We shall see.