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Packer 2021 Team Discussion (Rodgers Out Vs. Chiefs)


CheezWizHed
Just saying when you've got the best player in your franchises history, you could treat him like most teams treat and all time great QB.

 

Aaron Rodgers had a cap hit of $37+ million dollars in 2020. How is that not treating him like an all-time-great QB?

 

 

It was 21 million, but how does this discussion keeps changing. I'm talking about communicating with Rodgers during the off-season with regard to who they're going to bring in, AGAIN, as the Buccs did with Brady or the Pats did when they brought in AB or Gronk.

 

Never said they didn't pay him enough, I've never said he was more important than the franchise, I've never inferred either. I also didn't say they needed to makes the moves he's wanted. Just communicate with him. That's all. Doesn't seem like that's really asking too much of them.

 

Sorry, I meant 2021.

 

And you are implying that he is more important that the franchise when you say they should be running moves by him. Also, how do you know they haven't run moves like the Jimmy Graham signing by him? He's also said that he was part of the conversation with the team's brass before they signed Adams and Bahktiari to their extensions. How much power should one player have?

 

Let Lafleur coach. Let Gute have control of the roster. It is Rodgers' job to make the pieces he's provided with work. And he's done a very good job of that throughout his career.

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Sorry, I meant 2021.

 

And you are implying that he is more important that the franchise when you say they should be running moves by him. Also, how do you know they haven't run moves like the Jimmy Graham signing by him? He's also said that he was part of the conversation with the team's brass before they signed Adams and Bahktiari to their extensions. How much power should one player have?

 

Let Lafleur coach. Let Gute have control of the roster. It is Rodgers' job to make the pieces he's provided with work. And he's done a very good job of that throughout his career.

 

 

No I am not, and I NEVER said they needed to run moves by him...in fact because you keep suggesting that's what I'm saying, I literally JUST said;

 

Nobody's saying that they need to run their draft picks by Rodgers

 

And I know because I've listened to Rodgers this year. He does weekly interviews that give you more insight than we've ever had as Packers fans. And I don't believe he did talk to the front office about the extension with Bahktiari. McAfee asked him if he knew he was going to sign it and he said no, and then said he'd talked to Dave and knew they were working on something, but he had no idea.

 

And how do I know they didn't run Graham by him? I guess I just have to take his word for it. He may be lying about it I suppose. But if that IS the case, then by your logic, that'd make him more important than the franchise...wouldn't it?

 

 

This isn't the hill for me. I really didn't think it'd be controversial when I suggested that the Packers should communicate more with their franchise player and I don't believe that in any way infers that I believe he's more important than the organization. But I don't really have much more to add.

Icbj86c-"I'm not that enamored with Aaron Donald either."
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I agree it's entirely possible that Rodgers is already listened to with an open mind and really he deserves that, but only that as far as personnel decisions go. I would hope there is open 2 way communication and the team understands that Rodgers probably knows this offense better than anyone and deserves input, and Rodgers understands that sometimes the input he has isn't going to be granted and isn't always practical in the big scope of things.

 

I don't know what Rodgers' cap hit has to do with anything though. If you're an above average starting QB and your contract is up you're going to get a massive payday no matter who you are. That's just how it goes these days especially at that position.

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That's fair, but if Rodgers does not restructure this year, there is no leg to stand on anymore with the 'supporting cast' argument. And I'll make this clear too: I have no problem whatsoever with him not doing so. He has every right to take his money. But you can't say your whole pursuit is another championship while carrying a $37 million weight around.

 

Personally, and obviously I don't know Aaron Rodgers, but while I think he really does want to win it again and do whatever that takes personally...I think his ego is too big to do it for less money.

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I'm sorry, but IMO its an ENORMOUS assumption to believe that the Packers have no contact with their franchise QB in the offseason. I personally don't believe that to be the case. Not for a second.

 

And saying that you "suggested that the Packers should communicate more with their franchise player" is kind of a goalpost move on "It'd be nice if the Packers treated Rodgers like the Buccs did Brady though. At least pretend to listen to his imput." You lauded the Bucs for bringing in Gronk and Brown on Brady's recommendations. That is a step up, IMO, from simply "communicating more". None of us really have any idea how much communication Rodgers has with the team in the offseason.

 

Perhaps I am not seeing your full point here, but it sounds like you want Rodgers to have a role in player acquisition, and I wholeheartedly disagree with that. If my assumption is incorrect, I apologize.

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That's fair, but if Rodgers does not restructure this year, there is no leg to stand on anymore with the 'supporting cast' argument. And I'll make this clear too: I have no problem whatsoever with him not doing so. He has every right to take his money. But you can't say your whole pursuit is another championship while carrying a $37 million weight around.

 

Personally, and obviously I don't know Aaron Rodgers, but while I think he really does want to win it again and do whatever that takes personally...I think his ego is too big to do it for less money.

 

 

I don't even know if he needs to take less. Just restructuring would cut his cap number significantly. He did restructure this contract once already before last season to free up space for last year.

 

 

I agree though. I don't see him signing a deal that would cut how much money he's getting. His stance on the last CBA would suggest he's pretty rigid in not leaving money on the table and believes the players are and do-do just that.

 

They should be able to work something out pretty easily that both sides are happy with. It'd push any window for trading or moving on from Rodgers down the road a bit. That seems like it'd be the biggest issue for the Packers.

Icbj86c-"I'm not that enamored with Aaron Donald either."
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I'm admittedly not well-versed in contracts and never bother with trying to be, but my guess is that if Aaron really does want to finish his career in GB, he's going to have to make less money and get a new deal. I don't think he will do that, and that's fair.

 

My unsubstantiated gut feeling is that the Packers would take advantage of significant savings to keep him longer, but if it's the Rodgers Rate they will decide it's time for both parties to move on. And that's fine.

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I'm 1000% ok with the Packers not signing Antonio Brown. That's not the way I want to win a Super Bowl. Communication with Rodgers on player moves? Eh, I'm not against it but if they're not going to make his input anything like a priority then it's all lip service and Rodgers is more than smart enough to know that. I truly don't think Rodgers wants to be babied that way if it ultimately means zilch. I don't think anybody in the Packers front office hangs up in Rodgers' face if he initiates a call and says, "So and so is out there as a free agent, what are our chances of going after him and does he fit the plan you guys have?" I think they'd listen to him and give him as straight of an answer as they could. I don't get the impression from Rodgers' comments that he's made those types of calls or requests.
"Counsell is stupid, Hader not used right, Bradley shouldn't have been in the lineup...Brewers win!!" - FVBrewerFan - 6/3/21
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He would make more money by restructuring, because it would include a big signing bonus. Restructuring is all about freeing up cap space the next couple years. No scenario where Rodgers would make less. Another way of looking at it, the vast majority of pay next season would be signing bonus instead of salary.
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He would make more money by restructuring, because it would include a big signing bonus. Restructuring is all about freeing up cap space the next couple years. No scenario where Rodgers would make less. Another way of looking at it, the vast majority of pay next season would be signing bonus instead of salary.

 

 

That was always the thing with Brady. They'd give him 10 million in a signing bonus, tack on another year or two and then act like he was such a great guy for taking a deal. Romo, Brees did the same things.

 

At this point, the best case would probably be to extend Rodgers a couple years, give him 20 million in a signing bonus to restructure and reduce his cap hit as much as possible, or however that would work. I don't put much stock on Lang saying he is "hellbent on revenge," but I do think he(Rodgers) would probably like to see them try and be a little more aggressive in addressing immediate needs at this point. The Packers FO has been smart for the most part, but they're at the point now where Rodgers is near the end. Wouldn't kill them to approach this off-season like the Saints have the past few years. This years Covid situation makes their cap situation that much more precarious, but in a normal year, they'd eat their lumps, keep most of their roster in tact and just go through one year of cap hell. The Packers can do that...push it down the road. They will need Rodgers to be willing to work with them though.

Icbj86c-"I'm not that enamored with Aaron Donald either."
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Has Rodgers been pushing for an extension or the Packers? That's what I've been asking since the Love pick. I don't see a downside for the Packers. And Rodgers is a smart guy, he must know how the cap works. He wants them to go all in? Then he must know his cap number needs to be way lower next year.

 

Credit to both sides though, nothing is being leaked if they are working out an extension.

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He would make more money by restructuring, because it would include a big signing bonus. Restructuring is all about freeing up cap space the next couple years. No scenario where Rodgers would make less. Another way of looking at it, the vast majority of pay next season would be signing bonus instead of salary.

 

 

That was always the thing with Brady. They'd give him 10 million in a signing bonus, tack on another year or two and then act like he was such a great guy for taking a deal. Romo, Brees did the same things.

 

At this point, the best case would probably be to extend Rodgers a couple years, give him 20 million in a signing bonus to restructure and reduce his cap hit as much as possible, or however that would work. I don't put much stock on Lang saying he is "hellbent on revenge," but I do think he(Rodgers) would probably like to see them try and be a little more aggressive in addressing immediate needs at this point. The Packers FO has been smart for the most part, but they're at the point now where Rodgers is near the end. Wouldn't kill them to approach this off-season like the Saints have the past few years. This years Covid situation makes their cap situation that much more precarious, but in a normal year, they'd eat their lumps, keep most of their roster in tact and just go through one year of cap hell. The Packers can do that...push it down the road. They will need Rodgers to be willing to work with them though.

 

Honestly would not surprise me at all if Lang had a chat with Rodgers and leaked that to help his buddy. It's more passable if it comes from him instead of Rodgers.

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Brewer Fanatic Contributor
It would surprise me less if Lang hadn't said a word to Aaron and was talking out of his rear.
"Dustin Pedroia doesn't have the strength or bat speed to hit major-league pitching consistently, and he has no power......He probably has a future as a backup infielder if he can stop rolling over to third base and shortstop." Keith Law, 2006
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Given that Lang is one of Rodgers's best friends I think it's pretty unlikely that came out of nothing. It's possible if not likely he hadn't even spoken to Rodgers between the NFCCG and when he said that. But I think it's also very likely Rodgers has voiced displeasure with his pals in the past about the Packers perceived inaction (from his POV) in certain areas.

 

He may never say it publicly in clear terms, but I feel there's enough smoke over the last decade to say that Rodgers is probably not ecstatic about the personnel management of the last 10 years or so.

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Given that Lang is one of Rodgers's best friends I think it's pretty unlikely that came out of nothing. It's possible if not likely he hadn't even spoken to Rodgers between the NFCCG and when he said that. But I think it's also very likely Rodgers has voiced displeasure with his pals in the past about the Packers perceived inaction (from his POV) in certain areas.

 

He may never say it publicly in clear terms, but I feel there's enough smoke over the last decade to say that Rodgers is probably not ecstatic about the personnel management of the last 10 years or so.

 

As an outsider, it seems pretty clear to me that:

 

A: Rodgers was pissed they moved up to draft Love AND did not get him more receiving weapons

B: He can clearly see that his contract is structured to give GB their out after this season.

 

By playing his current card of a new contract/money, he is forcing the decision that GB wanted to make after this season to now. Instead of next off season weighing the 2021 performance of Rodgers vs the development of Love (cheap contract), Rodgers pushes that timeline to now on the heels of an MVP season. It appears to me that Rodgers would prefer to stay in GB for his whole career. If GB commits to him now, that is likely the end result. If GB doesn't commit to him with a new deal/money, then Rodgers gets his answer now on their commitment to him. GB could still come back after this year and try to mend it/offer him the long term deal, but it seems to me he would take the current non-decision as a slight and want out.

“I'm a beast, I am, and a Badger what's more. We don't change. We hold on."  C.S. Lewis

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He won the MVP, had 48 TD passes, and had the #1 ranked offense. If he's still ticked about not drafting a receiver then Rodgers can go pound sand.
"Dustin Pedroia doesn't have the strength or bat speed to hit major-league pitching consistently, and he has no power......He probably has a future as a backup infielder if he can stop rolling over to third base and shortstop." Keith Law, 2006
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He won the MVP, had 48 TD passes, and had the #1 ranked offense. If he's still ticked about not drafting a receiver then Rodgers can go pound sand.

 

Yep. Exactly this. If nothing else, this season proved how much more intelligent our front office is compared to the majority of the fan base (as it should be). They allowed guys like MVS and Lazard to continue their growth as players and it paid off. Not only that but they added Funchess to help create the depth needed. It just didn't work out due to the situation of the pandemic. If Rodgers truly believes he needed WR help, he's not as intelligent as I believe him to be. Not only that but he had great RB's to include in the passing game as well as an up and coming TE and some great depth at that position as well. He should be begging for the Packers to draft defensive line / linebacking help as well as more offensive lineman if anything at all. Heck, maybe a new punter...

"This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains." Think about that for a while.
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Rodgers knows this was, on paper, likely the best shot he's going to have for the remainder of his career in GB. He knows the cap situation. I think he just wants to see if they are willing to move money around and go for it for the next 3 or so years, or move on. And as madbad said, the MVP accelerated that conversation.

 

The only reason the Packers would not restructure Rodgers this offseason is that they don't want him around. The only thing they lose is the easy out after next season. If I were the GM of this team, I have to say that doing gymnastics around one guy's contract every year would get annoying. Maybe the alternative is worse, but it would be annoying.

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If Rodgers truly believes he needed WR help, he's not as intelligent as I believe him to be.

 

I really love watching Aaron Rodgers play, but he's definitely a moody guy. It was in November after the loss to Minnesota that he basically said they should trade for a WR without actually saying it.

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If Rodgers truly believes he needed WR help, he's not as intelligent as I believe him to be.

 

I really love watching Aaron Rodgers play, but he's definitely a moody guy. It was in November after the loss to Minnesota that he basically said they should trade for a WR without actually saying it.

 

Moody is a good description of him. I wonder if sometimes this moody personality hurts him when he is down in games. Often times he looks like he's given up. I know he hasn't but his body language isn't great at times and that can matter when you are the leader of a team.

"This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains." Think about that for a while.
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Rodgers may not have the best WR room in the NFL, but the investments the Packers have made on the guys in front of him are second to none. Russell Wilson would kill for an offensive line like the Packers have when healthy.

 

We've spent a lot of money and draft capital to keep him off his butt, and I hope he realizes that.

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Brewer Fanatic Contributor
Despite our offensive success, it is a little short sighted to say wouldn't didn't need WR help this year. Adams was a stud obviously, Lazard looked great before his surgery, and MVS had his moments. But that doesn't mean things were perfect. Most of our offense ran with two WRs out there, but when we started to fall behind, we struggled to go much deeper. Often you had RBs out running WR routes - sometimes because of play design and motion out of the backfield, but others simply because they were better than our 3rd or 4th options (especially when Adams or Lazard were out with injuries). A good chunk of last season, we were really only 2 WR deep - Adams/MVS or MVS/Lazard based on injuries. Even after Lazard returned, he didn't look like his normal self.
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