It doesn’t sound like the past couple of months have been a fun time for Green Bay Packers fans. It started in January when they watched their beloved team blowing a golden opportunity in the NFC championship against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At Lambeau Field no less. It was their second-straight year having come one game short of the Super Bowl. Packer fans probably had no idea things were about to get so much worse. First courtesy of their legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers and then their superstar receiver Davante Adams.
The first blow arrived last month literal hours before the start of the NFL draft. Adam Schefter reported that Rodgers had grown disillusioned with the Packers front office, especially GM Brian Gutekunst whom he nicknamed “Jerry Krause.” It had deteriorated to such a point that the 38-year old is prepared to consider retirement if he is not traded. It’s apparent he has no desire to stay in Green Bay if Gutekunst remains in charge.
That is bad enough.
Now it seems Adams decided to make it worse. The All-Pro receiver appeared on The Herd with Colin Cowherd to discuss the situation with Rodgers. Adams didn’t seem to mince words. He hinted strongly that he might reconsider staying in Green Bay long-term if Rodgers ends up leaving. Remember that he enters 2021 in the last year of his current deal. The Packers know they need to extend him. This seems to suggest he might resist such a possibility if Rodgers doesn’t return.
Not the news Packers fans want to see right now 😬
(via @TheHerd) pic.twitter.com/gWBQVZ2yV4
— The MMQB (@theMMQB) May 10, 2021
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This would put Green Bay in an awkward spot. Not only because Adams may not want to stay, but also because they’re not totally equipped to keep him. Even if Rodgers were traded to another team after June 1st for maximum cap return, their salary cap situation is bad enough to where simply franchise tagging him wouldn’t be so easy. Especially with a number of other players on the roster who will be free agents.
So yeah. This isn’t ideal.
Davante Adams has every reason to feel that way
He’s not stupid. Most of the success enjoyed by the Packers over the past two years has been due to the incredible play of Rodgers. Adams’ status as one of the best receivers in the NFL is thanks in many ways to his presence. Take Rodgers away and is this team truly equipped to still compete for a Super Bowl? A lot of people don’t think so. Jordan Love hasn’t inspired much confidence. So it’s perfectly reasonable for the receiver to contemplate getting out while the window is there.
Everything hinges on what Rodgers will do. Some think he’s bluffing and will eventually return. Others think he’s totally dug in and will force the Packers’ hand at some point. Similar to what happened with Carson Palmer with the Cincinnati Bengals. He’ll hold out until they have no choice but to trade him. Or he can retire and leave them twisting in the wind with nothing. Davante Adams won’t want to be around for that.
So fans are no doubt praying their beloved QB settles down.
Otherwise, the wolves of the NFC North will smell blood and pounce for the kill. Something they’ve been aching to do for almost three decades. Will Rodgers prolong the suffering a bit more or is he truly at the end of his tether in Green Bay? Adams and others continued to watch and wait.