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

[DHonks]

Rodgers looks really bad to those that follow the team, but is anyone surprised? Over the last 5 years we've grown to hear about his peculiarities. We also witnessed him have 3 subpar seasons while being one of the highest paid QBs in the league. There's no guarantee that next year he'll be happy, healthy, or effective. Gutekunst has been on the job only a few years, he hasn't many many bad moves at all, and yet Rodgers blames him for everything. Rodgers needs counseling to deal with his family issues and likely to deal with his interactions with McCarthy and now Gutekunst. If I had an offer of 2 1st rounders and another fairly high pick, I'd try to move him in a heartbeat, pick up a solid veteran to pair with Love, and try to build for the future. Rodgers had a great year in 2020, but prior to 2020 he wasn't a top 5 QB. Was he even a top 8 or 10 QB over the previous few years? Everything clicked last year, he had fun, and he elevated his game. I hope he changes his mind and has a nice 3-5 years to finish his career, but if he's going to be this way, let's move on and find some hungry, coachable players.

[DuWayne Steurer]

Rogers won't make a statement, and really he shouldn't have to. If he reports to camp he'll get asked plenty of questions at that time. If he doesn't, or if he gets traded, the questions are moot, honestly.

[LouisEly]

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.

I think the reasons are:

 

1) As I mentioned earlier, unlike most player-team disagreements this is not "millionaires versus billionaires" - the Packers are community-owned, not billionaire-owned, and as such Rodgers is by far the wealthiest person involved in the disagreement. He makes at least 10x what Gutekunst makes. Hell, based on what I can find online, Gutekunst's estimated net worth is not that different from mine (and that's good, considering he is exactly one month older than me).

 

B) Because the Packers are community-owned and have issued "stock", many fans are at the least symbolic owners of the Packers if not technically owners of the Packers. So in some way, even if indirectly or symbolically, Rodgers is disagreeing with or threatening them.

 

3) There's a reason they never let the students run the school, even the valedictorians. Jimmy Graham didn't work out so well, and left Gutes looking like a bad GM.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

The Green Bay Packers were the Green Bay Packers long before Aaron Rodgers rose to fame. They'll be the Green Bay Packers long after he retires. That is why you don't let the students run the school.

[PeaveyFury]

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

 

Perhaps it's because he's made it so easy to do so? He's basically done this with as little integrity as possible.... for a guy that touts his intelligence both on and off the field, he's literally name-calling because he disagrees with a guy? That's horrendously unprofessional and the lowest form of debate. And for all of Favre's faults, at least he had the courage to actually put stuff out there himself or through his actual representation. None of this 'sources within the organization' or garbage from his buddies. Nothing to specifically link back to Aaron. And that creates a breeding ground for the rampant insane rumors that are now completely unverifiable as a result. Anyone can claim to have a source now, despite how wrong they end up being.

 

Meanwhile, the Packers, Gute, Murphy, etc. have gone through this last week with complete class and professionalism, as you'd expect from a well-run organization. Perhaps the fans are smart enough to notice the distinction?

[PeaveyFury]

But why is he obligated to go along with Brian Gutekunst's plan for his career?

 

Because the team and his own representation reached an agreement on a contract that allowed them to do so, while Aaron himself then signed?

 

And what if he wanted to do it in Green Bay with teammates with whom he felt most comfortable?

 

If that were the case, why would he be demanding a trade? If that were the case, why would he be creating a hostile, circus-like work environment for those teammates that he surely 'cares so much about'?

[CheezWizHed]

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?

 

This seems to answer the question well.

 

I'm just here for the chaos and angst.

 

Whenever bad stuff happens around football, I'm delighted.

 

Players almost never have leverage like this, and it's fun to see them exercise it.

[SeaBass]

Ah yes, today's edition of "former teammate and close friend" in the news cycle is John Kuhn. LOL this is getting ridiculous. Does Aaron have these guys on his payroll? I can't keep track of all the guys out there speaking for him. Aaron, buddy, you've got a big mouth, maybe you can use it to speak for yourself.

 

So Kuhn thinks maybe Aaron could stay. The previous close friends must not have been doing their jobs right. Or is it he sees the wind blowing in a direction he didn't think would happen? Honestly the message didn't sound much different otherwise. Maybe he really thought he could get Gute fired.

 

They keep bringing up his contract too as if it hasn't come out that the Packers have offered him an extension that would make him the highest paid player and give him the extra guaranteed years he's still saying he wants but for some reason declined because it was "too late."

 

It's funny, I watch clips of the talking heads spouting off with the narrative of how the Packers have done wrong by Aaron Rodgers. Yesterday, I think it was Rich Eisen, he says something along the lines of, "Have you noticed everyone in the national media are in Rodgers' corner but the fans and local media in Green Bay and Wisconsin aren't?" He found that fascinating. Yeah, how about that?

[JimH5]

I just see Rodgers not wanting to be pushed out the door as part of Gutekunst's succession plan.

 

He's more than 6 years younger than Tom Brady and nearly 5 years younger than Drew Brees. And given a chance to add another player to support him and the team, the Packers drafted his replacement. Whom among us wants to be pushed out the door on someone else's terms?

 

I thought reillymcshane's post was great. I recognize that Rodgers is being petty and subversive--and I'm all for it. I said at the start that I was here for the angst and the chaos, and this story continues to deliver in abundance.

 

The collective Packers fandom is behaving like a jilted lover. All of those 12 jerseys hanging in closets around the state, with tormented owners, vying to never wear them again. It's all amusing to me. A Hall of Fame player, the most important sports figure in the state for the last 13 years suddenly steps out of line, and he's immediately disowned and cast aside.

 

Football is full of stories of guys behaving so much worse than Rodgers is here. Crimes, drug abuse, abuse of wives and girlfriends, fights with cops, etc. Rodgers hasn't done anything like that. All he did was express (in a childish way) dissatisfaction with how the team is treating his employment. And for that, he's out. It's really something.

[PeaveyFury]

I recognize that Rodgers is being petty and subversive--and I'm all for it. I said at the start that I was here for the angst and the chaos, and this story continues to deliver in abundance.

 

The collective Packers fandom is behaving like a jilted lover. All of those 12 jerseys hanging in closets around the state, with tormented owners, vying to never wear them again. It's all amusing to me.

 

It's easy to understand if you're a fan of the team first, rather than the players on the team. You've made it abundantly clear elsewhere that you root for players first where the Brewers are concerned, so I'm not surprised that this is a bit perplexing when viewed in that light.

 

But, I'm concerned with stuff like 'I'm here for the angst and chaos' coupled with calling Packer fans 'jilted lovers'. Some places call that trolling, and last time I checked we didn't allow that here.

[CheezWizHed]

Not that I ever had a players jersey number to wear, but it was Mark Chmura that made me realize that I wasn't a fan of the player, but the team. My jersey is a "00" with my name on it because players come and players go, but I'm a Packer fan (and owner). But I will grant you that some fans are acting pretty silly about it, too. I've nearly left a couple WI sports Facebook groups just because of the idiocy of some posters.

 

I'll say the same thing about Rodgers that I said about Favre: They have earned the right to play here until their arms fall off (playing well or poorly). But drafting a QB in the first round does not indicate anything about the succession plan. Rodgers played behind Favre for 3 years before starting; and even then only because Favre waffled in his retirement and we drafted two backup QBs behind Rodgers. Rodgers has been pretty healthy, but he has seasons where he was out for long periods - and at 37, that isn't going to get better. We needed a good backup. And even if Rodgers wants to play to 43, his body might start saying otherwise. Just because Tom Brady does something, doesn't mean just anyone can do it...

 

But similar to Favre, when a single player starts putting himself above the team, it was time to go. I'll be happy if Rodgers comes into TC and "smooths things out" like he did last year and simply come to play. But if he insists he can't play with the Packers anymore, then there is the door. Improve communications? Sure. Fix the contract? ok. Give Rodgers personnel decisions and fire the GM? Nope, that is a bridge too far.

[pacopete4]

I just see Rodgers not wanting to be pushed out the door as part of Gutekunst's succession plan.

 

He's more than 6 years younger than Tom Brady and nearly 5 years younger than Drew Brees. And given a chance to add another player to support him and the team, the Packers drafted his replacement. Whom among us wants to be pushed out the door on someone else's terms?

 

I thought reillymcshane's post was great. I recognize that Rodgers is being petty and subversive--and I'm all for it. I said at the start that I was here for the angst and the chaos, and this story continues to deliver in abundance.

 

The collective Packers fandom is behaving like a jilted lover. All of those 12 jerseys hanging in closets around the state, with tormented owners, vying to never wear them again. It's all amusing to me. A Hall of Fame player, the most important sports figure in the state for the last 13 years suddenly steps out of line, and he's immediately disowned and cast aside.

 

Football is full of stories of guys behaving so much worse than Rodgers is here. Crimes, drug abuse, abuse of wives and girlfriends, fights with cops, etc. Rodgers hasn't done anything like that. All he did was express (in a childish way) dissatisfaction with how the team is treating his employment. And for that, he's out. It's really something.

 

Rodgers will be cheered just like he was for more than the past decade if he comes back and plays. While Rodgers is dramatic and childish, so are a lot of people in general and that includes fans of the Packers. The funny thing is, there are a lot of fans that leaned towards the side of Rodgers and some of his complaints about the organization. The problem is his strategy to either fix that or move on from here is junk. The rest of this post, among the others you have posted, is merely trolling at this point. You don't care about this issue. You just want to see football fans upset. Congrats!

[SeaBass]

I just see Rodgers not wanting to be pushed out the door as part of Gutekunst's succession plan.

 

He's more than 6 years younger than Tom Brady and nearly 5 years younger than Drew Brees. And given a chance to add another player to support him and the team, the Packers drafted his replacement. Whom among us wants to be pushed out the door on someone else's terms?

 

I thought reillymcshane's post was great. I recognize that Rodgers is being petty and subversive--and I'm all for it. I said at the start that I was here for the angst and the chaos, and this story continues to deliver in abundance.

 

The collective Packers fandom is behaving like a jilted lover. All of those 12 jerseys hanging in closets around the state, with tormented owners, vying to never wear them again. It's all amusing to me. A Hall of Fame player, the most important sports figure in the state for the last 13 years suddenly steps out of line, and he's immediately disowned and cast aside.

 

Football is full of stories of guys behaving so much worse than Rodgers is here. Crimes, drug abuse, abuse of wives and girlfriends, fights with cops, etc. Rodgers hasn't done anything like that. All he did was express (in a childish way) dissatisfaction with how the team is treating his employment. And for that, he's out. It's really something.

I think it matters that he's been shown to be a petty grudge holder in the past and that a lot of what's coming through in this dispute is more petty grudge holding and actions that seem specifically designed to make this as painful for the Packers as he could possibly make it.

 

I haven't seen many people that have commented on this situation say that he's crazy for feeling like the Packers didn't treat him the best that they were capable of. He has several really good reasons for doing what he's doing right now, if he had stuck to that, streamlined his message, I think a lot more people would be in his corner.

 

But he can't help himself, he's got his petty grudges and has to list everything that's made a multi-millionaire do slow walks, kicking at stones in the driveway of his zillion dollar Malibu mansion and feeling like nobody cares about his feelings except his celebrity girlfriends and fiancée.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Favre and Rodgers are literally the same guy. It's amazing. The Gunslinger book had all this stuff in it that Favre pulled when they drafted Rodgers, most of it with Favre being incredibly thin-skinned and insecure. Rodgers is exactly the same. The only difference, so far, at least that we know, is that Rodgers isn't an outright jerk to Love.

 

My personal opinion is that Aaron doesn't want to actually leave, but will if he doesn't get his way, and thinks he will get his way. I'm over it. Issue a statement, stop doing these proxy whispers through your buddies. Talk or go away. Trade him for a bucket of Gatorade. I am just over the guy.

[BillScottCanRake]

Here is the list of quarterbacks who have started a game for Green Bay since I was born in 1973.

 

Jerry Tagge

Scott Hunter

Jim Del Gaizo

John Hadl

Jack Concannon

Don Milan

Lynn Dickey

Carlos Brown

Randy Johnson

David Whitehurst

Randy Wright

Jim Zorn

Don Majkowski

Alan Risher

Anthony Dilweg

Blair Kiel

Mike Tomczak

Brett Favre

Aaron Rodgers

Matt Flynn

Scott Tolzien

Seneca Wallace

Brett Hundley

 

I don't really have any football memories until I was 5, so Lynn Dickey and David Whitehurst are the first two guys I remember from this list. A list doesn't include some guys worthy of mention but never started a game, like Rich Campbell, Chuck Fusina, Vince Ferragamo, Ty Detmer, Mark Brunell, TJ Rubley, Aaron Brooks, etc. There are some guys in this list who were awful, guys in this list who were good other places but not so good in Green Bay, guys who started in Green Bay and flourished elsewhere, and a couple of guys who have been among the best ever at their position.

 

The one thing all of those guys have in common is they all were preceded by someone and have been or will be succeeded by someone. Aaron Rodgers is not the teams first or last quarterback; his days are finite, and when they are done, I will move on the rooting for the next guy. I won't forget about them when they are gone, but time moves on for everyone, and whether it is Jordan Love or someone else, I will be rooting for that guy to play well and help the Packers win games.

 

That is the way I "fan", and for me it is pretty simple.

[Fear The Chorizo]

Football is full of stories of guys behaving so much worse than Rodgers is here. Crimes, drug abuse, abuse of wives and girlfriends, fights with cops, etc. Rodgers hasn't done anything like that. All he did was express (in a childish way) dissatisfaction with how the team is treating his employment. And for that, he's out. It's really something.

 

Players who committed crimes punishable by the law have just as many or more fans wanting them off their team, don't kid yourself. There's a big component of fan frustration for a guy griping about "his employment" after making a quarter of a billion dollars, and the fact they see the good job at roster building the GM Rodgers is apparently miffed at is doing despite the player who currently accounts for 20% of their 2021 salary cap's refusal to sign a restructured contract extension that by all reports was pretty damn large. Fans also remember what Rodgers had to go through as a young player through the Favre fiasco, and have a really hard time understanding why in the world Rodgers himself wants to relive the same melodrama from the other side of the issue as a veteran QB.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Favre and Rodgers are literally the same guy. It's amazing. The Gunslinger book had all this stuff in it that Favre pulled when they drafted Rodgers, most of it with Favre being incredibly thin-skinned and insecure. Rodgers is exactly the same. The only difference, so far, at least that we know, is that Rodgers isn't an outright jerk to Love.

 

My personal opinion is that Aaron doesn't want to actually leave, but will if he doesn't get his way, and thinks he will get his way. I'm over it. Issue a statement, stop doing these proxy whispers through your buddies. Talk or go away. Trade him for a bucket of Gatorade. I am just over the guy.

 

I think that's where a lot of people are on this. Favre had much more of a "aww shucks Man of the People" vibe, so the common fan could relate to him much more. There were really not many secrets with that guy. What you saw was what he was. That's why his divorce from the Packers drove a stake deep through the Packer fanbase, that took several years to heal.

 

Rodgers, on the other hand, is a smart dude who dates superstars and lives in a California mansion. Other than what he allows to get out, no one really knows anything about his personal life. It's tough for Joe Blow from Cudahy to relate to that. Plus, those who sided with Favre 13 years ago were proven wrong when Rodgers became a superstar, so a few may have a little more faith that the team's front office might actually know what they are doing.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

And perhaps I'm reading into this too much, but Rodgers has never been insecure about backups. Very buddy-buddy with them in fact, Boyle, Hundley, yes they were drafted later, but he seemed much cozier with them than he had to be. It makes me wonder if Aaron knows Love is actually good. Otherwise, why care?

[PeaveyFury]

I think that's where a lot of people are on this. Favre had much more of a "aww shucks Man of the People" vibe, so the common fan could relate to him much more. There were really not many secrets with that guy. What you saw was what he was.

 

I think there's a lot of truth in this. I also think it's respectable that, as I noted earlier, the Favre stuff came from Favre, Favre's family, or Bus Cook. Not 'unnamed sources' or a parade of friends who hung out with him last weekend. Favre's issues were aired by Favre, not backdoor channels designed to create a media frenzy.

[MrTPlush]

Knowing the type of guy Rodgers is the Packers were really living some fantasy where they thought they could draft Love, keep Rodgers until they wanted to move on, and then just say bye. Honestly the Packers should probably be lucky they made it a year before it all imploded. After he won MVP and didn’t look like an old declining QB it’s not surprising Rodgers is done being a placeholder until Love is ready.

 

I don’t know if Rodgers is scared because he thinks Love is good. I think the difference is before no back up was really the next man up. I don’t think it matters how bad/good the QB seems, it is the fact he knows/believes the Packers are committed to dumping him after this year for that guy. If the Packers traded Love today I don’t think that would be enough, for example. To me Rodgers probably still wouldn’t trust the organization to not just dump him.

 

To add, if Love looked that good to Rodgers to the point he was scared, why wouldn’t the Packers have already made this saga end before the draft...or even now? Rodgers is the MVP of the league, I don’t see him being scared of anyone.

[PeaveyFury]

To add, if Love looked that good to Rodgers to the point he was scared, why wouldn’t the Packers have already made this saga end before the draft...or even now?

 

This year's horrendous salary cap situation is the answer to this question.

[MrTPlush]

To add, if Love looked that good to Rodgers to the point he was scared, why wouldn’t the Packers have already made this saga end before the draft...or even now?

 

This year's horrendous salary cap situation is the answer to this question.

 

Yeah, the cap issue is a problem...but would the cap matter that much if we moved on from Rodgers. Realistically, you are probably punting your Super Bowl (probably playoffs in general) chances the first year of Love anyway. I won’t pretend to know a lot about the effect that would have had on the cap, especially if we would have been needing to sign a Top 10 pick, but it would have been possible I am sure.

[PeaveyFury]

To add, if Love looked that good to Rodgers to the point he was scared, why wouldn’t the Packers have already made this saga end before the draft...or even now?

 

This year's horrendous salary cap situation is the answer to this question.

 

Yeah, the cap issue is a problem...but would the cap matter that much if we moved on from Rodgers. Realistically, you are probably punting your Super Bowl (probably playoffs in general) chances the first year of Love anyway. I won’t pretend to know a lot about the effect that would have had on the cap, especially if we would have been needing to sign a Top 10 pick, but it would have been possible I am sure.

 

If they traded Rodgers now, I'm not sure they'd have the cap space to even sign their draft class as it exists now.

[homer]

Schefter is now saying Rodgers and his camp are not the source and that he is the one that chose to drop this on Draft Day....for clicks I guess.

 

[PeaveyFury]

Schefter is now saying Rodgers and his camp are not the source and that he is the one that chose to drop this on Draft Day....for clicks I guess.

 

 

Goooooood grief....