Reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers is so disgruntled with the Green Bay Packers that he has told some within the organization that he does not want to return to the team, league and team sources told ESPN on Thursday.
#Packers GM Brian Gutekunst to ESPN: "As we've stated since the season ended, we are committed to Aaron in 2021 and beyond. Aaron has been a vital part of our success and we look forward to competing for another championship with him leading our team."
Originally Posted by : Aaron Rodgers doesn't want to return to Green Bay Packers, sources say
Reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers is so disgruntled with the Green Bay Packers that he has told some within the organization that he does not want to return to the team, league and team sources told ESPN on Thursday.
The Packers are aware of his feelings, concerned about them and have had team president Mark Murphy, general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur each fly out on separate trips to meet with Rodgers at various points this offseason, sources told ESPN.
"As we've stated since the season ended, we are committed to Aaron in 2021 and beyond," Gutekunst told ESPN. "Aaron has been a vital part of our success and we look forward to competing for another championship with him leading our team."
Rodgers has not budged this offseason, but neither have the Packers, who have made it known they are not interested in trading Rodgers anywhere.
The San Francisco 49ers called the Packers on Wednesday night, a source told ESPN, and the Los Angeles Rams inquired about Rodgers in January before they traded for Matthew Stafford.
The Packers quickly dismissed the Rams' overtures, the source said.
The Packers have offered to extend Rodgers' contract, sources told ESPN.
Rodgers is unhappy for a variety of reasons, with some of it dating back to last year's draft when the Packers didn't inform him before trading up to draft a quarterback with their first-round pick. Some took this as a sign that his days in Green Bay could he numbered.
He also is at a different point in his personal life, having recently gotten engaged to actress Shailene Woodley. Rodgers also has hosted "Jeopardy!" and said it would be a dream to become the full-time host. He could play football and host Jeopardy! together.
Rodgers has made cryptic comments about his future in Green Bay, but he has told others that he does not want to return.
On draft night, the Packers' biggest issue isn't who they land, but whether they can keep the former NFL MVP.
Rodgers' contract contained a $6.8 million roster bonus due in March. It could have been converted into a signing bonus that would have freed up more than $4.5 million in salary-cap space for this season but instead it "vested as scheduled," a source told ESPN at the time. It's listed as an automatic conversion in Rodgers' contract but even that has to be signed off on by both parties. It's not known if the Packers tried to convert and Rodgers refused to sign off on it, or if they did not attempt a conversion.
Originally Posted by staylor26:
You clearly don’t understand how any of this works.
Rodgers has no leverage outside of the empty threat of retirement, which his buddy AJ Hawk has already said isn’t happening.
Also, as you can see just a few posts above yours, somebody that is a friend and has actually spoke to Rodgers obviously doesn’t agree with those in the media.
Holding out into the season would force the Pack to either play Love (who would crash and burn in humiliating fashion) or trade for another QB. Either scenario makes the GM look even more foolish for his 2020 draft than he already does.
Gutekunst doesn’t want the above. Hence Rogers has leverage.
The whole “he’s under contract, end of story” position is overly simplistic.
Originally Posted by New World Order:
He doesn't have to retire. He can just sit out. If he sits out then GB will be forced to trade him.
It's a very real possibility.
No, they won’t be “forced” to do anything and the chances of him actually sitting out and wasting one of the few years he has left while on a team that’s a SB contender are extremely slim. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Cave Johnson:
Holding out into the season would force the Pack to either play Love (who would crash and burn in humiliating fashion) or trade for another QB. Either scenario makes the GM look like a fool for his 2020 draft.
Gutekunst doesn’t want the above. Hence Rogers has leverage.
The whole “he’s under contract, end of story” position is overly simplistic.
Sitting out is also an empty threat. He’s 38 years old and isn’t going to waste one of the few years he has left when his team has left a shot at a SB. It’s not happening. [Reply]
Sitting out is also an empty threat. He’s 38 years old and isn’t going to waste one of the few years he has left when his team has left a shot at a SB. It’s not happening.
It kinda does, brah.
And my experience tells me Rogers isn’t bluffing. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Cave Johnson:
Also, for the no trade clause crowd, Rogers’ ability to threaten retirement if he’s traded to an unacceptable destination is real leverage.
Do you even fucking read? AJ Hawk, who spoke to Rodgers personally, has already said that it’s pretty much a 0% chance that he retires. [Reply]
Originally Posted by staylor26:
Do you even ****ing read? AJ Hawk, who spoke to Rodgers personally, has already said that it’s pretty much a 0% chance that he retires.
So Rogers is blowing his leverage by blabbing to AJ Fucking Hawk about his true intentions?