Aaron Rodgers has carefully danced around the subject all offseason. To be expected of a guy who has evaded NFL defenders for over a decade now. The future Hall of Fame quarterback set off a media blitz when it was revealed right before the NFL draft that he wasn’t planning to return to the Green Bay Packers. A decision sparked by a growing rift with team management headlined by GM Brian Gutekunst and President Mark Murphy.
Since then everybody has tried to get a read on the situation. What is Rodgers going to do? Former teammates like John Kuhn and James Jones insist everybody is overreacting. The quarterback will ultimately show up. At the same time, top insiders like Jay Glazer and Benjamin Allbright have strongly indicated Rodgers isn’t planning to show up unless something drastically changes.
So what does Adam Schefter have to say?
He was the first man to break the Rodgers news three months ago. He’s been on top of this situation from the beginning. He took time to appear on The Cris Collinsworth podcast where Rodgers was the first subject they discussed was Rodgers. Schefter didn’t sugarcoat it. Everything he’s been hearing up to this point is that the 37-year old is looking for a way out. He doesn’t want to return to the Packers.
The problem with all this is the Packers themselves. They have dug in their heels on the situation. It’s been made clear that Rodgers is either going to play for them or nobody else. Any attempts at engineering a possible trade have been resoundingly dismissed. A bit ironic considering this is the same team that drafted his future replacement in Jordan Love last year.
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Why are the Packers so reluctant to trade Aaron Rodgers?
Probably because of last season. Nobody really expected him to have such an incredible year. The finest of his career with 48 touchdowns and five interceptions while winning his third MVP trophy. He carried Green Bay to a second-straight NFC championship and would likely have reached the Super Bowl if not for some questionable late-game decisions by the head coach. The Packers know their window for winning a championship closes if they let Rodgers go.
Not the most ringing endorsement of Love one must admit. All that aside, the two sides have been deadlocked ever since. Aaron Rodgers wants a trade to another team. The Denver Broncos seem like the clear favorite. Green Bay is unwilling to entertain the idea. They’re ready to call his bluff. Either play for them or have fun sitting at home. Is the QB prepared to do just that?
This is what people don’t know.
An answer may finally be coming though. Training camp begins at the end of July. Rodgers already missed OTAs and mandatory minicamps. However, everybody knows he’ll be serious if he decides not to show up for that. Not only would it hamper his preparation for playing in 2021, but it would also lead to significant fines. Is Rodgers prepared to suffer the financial consequences? We’re about to find out.
