THREE BIG COULD-BES
While most of the Green Bay Packers’s squad has quietly observed the off-season, Aaron Rodgers has keep a high profile. The newly-engaged and reigning NFL MVP took a stab guest-hosting Jeopardy and has shown interest in permanently hosting the show. Furthermore, Rodgers has expressed his dislike for Green Bay’s General Manager and front office – honestly, nothing new there. But, perhaps, the last straw for Rodgers was GB’s Round 1 selection: Eric Stokes, a cornerback from Georgia in lieu of a wide receiver. The Packer did add Clemson receiver Amari Rodgers in the 3rd round, but it may have been too late. SO WHAT’S NEXT?
Scenario #1: Rodgers is Traded
Several teams have indicated interest in Rodgers including the Niners, Broncos, and Raiders. These teams are willing to offer picks and players for Rodgers to fill their QB spot. The Niners did choose Trey Lance with the 3rd pick in the NFL Draft, but a few years behind #12 could increase his football IQ and refine his skills. The Broncos traded for Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater, a talented albeit inconsistent play caller: however, they would still be open to Rodgers. The Raiders have Derek Carr, who, in my opinion, is a stat packer of a QB. The most likely option is the Broncos acquire Rodgers, giving up several first and second round picks, who joins a loaded offense with Melvin Gordon and Courtland Sutton.
Scenario #2: Rodgers Retires
Aaron Rodgers has threatened retirement if the Green Bay Packers do not let him leave. This may seem like an empty threat though I believe there’s substance to his words. Rodgers is 37 years old and has been in the league since 2005, but I do not think Rodgers is truly hanging up his cleats. Remember Carson Palmer. Palmer was with the Cincinnati Bengals for some time, and after the Bengals failed to protect him for years, he retired. Or did he? Palmer retired, and then turned around and signed with the Arizona Cardinals! Palmer went on to make it all the way to the NFC Championship game before suffering a loss to the Carolina Panthers. Palmer’s agent, at the time, was Dave Dunn, who is Rodgers’s current agent. Fool me twice?
Scenario #3: Rodgers Returns?
This is the most unlikely scenario as Rodgers says he has zero interest in returning to Lambeau. Green Bay filled several needs in the 2021 draft including cornerback, center, and wide receiver. Therefore, the Pack could offer Rodgers more money and a longer deal for his return. Keep in mind, Rodgers has good relationships with his offensive line and receivers, could this play into his return?
Choices, decisions, and what-if’s: What do you think?
Rodgers def won’t be wearing the green and yellow next season – no cheese for him. As long as he’s under contract, I don’t see the Pack letting him go for nothing in return, so that leaves us with a trade. I think he’s in a better position than another top notch QB that is available – Watson. Rodgers would be an upgrade at QB for most teams in the league. Let’s see him go somewhere that has some offensive weapons and maybe he’ll bring the trophy home. Like Brady did in TB.
I think the whole argument about offensive weapons is ridiculous. absolutely ridiculous. remember back to 2019 I’m the opening game when the Packers beat the Bears 10-3, in Rodgers post-game interview he said “we have a defense” with a smirk on his face. The 2020 Packers had the best scoring offense in the league, Robert Tonyan tied a TD record that had been held for a LONG time. He has PFFs #1 WR in Adams, the #1 LT, and a top 5ish RB in Jones, and promising youngster Dillon. Rodgers loves MVS and Lazard if you’ve heard him talk on the Pat McAfee show… so where is the breakdown?
In my opinion: scheme and play calling. Taking the ball out of Rodgers hands at the end of the game (NFC Championship), poor defensive calls. I’m sure there’s other examples. these are things that even with a new DC for the Pack, Rodgers might feel like they just aren’t going to change with personnel. let’s face it: the Packers have too much talent on defense to be as bad as they are, and when Rodgers doesn’t have a chance to win and control the plays at the end of the game, he could want out. the “communication” error that happened in the NFC Championship game might be a light into what the Packers have been dealing with for 2 years now… Winning cures all, until you lose.
LaFleur and Gutey have to swallow their pride and appease Rodgers NOW or he’s not playing in GB again.
The Packers had a good draft in my opinion, but the Rodgers drama has overshadowed it. They filled every needed position, and finally got a true slot guy in Amari Rodgers. Gutey could have tried to get Rodgers weapons in the past and did not, which has come back to haunt him.
Dude I really don’t think the drafting has much to do with it. it’s the little things that have really added up over the years like cutting Jake Kumerow, letting Cobb/Nelson/Jones/Jennings/Matthews etc… go and basically never doing anything that Rodgers wants. there’s a certain breaking point that it comes to when you continually get rid of the face of the franchise’s friends and favorite players.