As the Green Bay Packers continue with their offseason program without reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, rumors continue to pop up that he could be headed out of town.
In late April, Rodgers’ request of a trade became public record. By now, it’s well-known that he has issues with the organization’s front office — general manager Brian Gutekunst included.
With training camp slated to get going in roughly six weeks, recent reports suggest that Rodgers could opt to sit out the entire 2021 season if the Packers don’t trade him.
In talking about the drama unfolding in Green Bay, star Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari had a rather interesting take. It came in an interview with former NFLer Pat McAfee and tells us all we need to know about his thought process.
“The Packers are notoriously known for not having a lot of controversy or drama in the offseason. It’s definitely new and uncharted territory for me being there for as long as I have,” the All-Pro left tackle said. “I’m just along for the ride I got my popcorn”
It’s clear that Bakhtiari isn’t taking sides here. That’s rather intriguing given his relationship with Rodgers. However, the eight-year vet also inked a whopping four-year, $92 million extension with the Packers last November. He’s not really in a great position to criticize the team’s front office.
Right now, it’s pretty obvious that Gutekunst and Co. don’t have any intention of trading Rodgers. They are going to let the situation play out as Jordan Love gets first-team reps with Rodgers holding out of mandatory offseason activities.
Even then, this situation could very well come to a head if Rodgers remains dug in. He’s a real threat to hold out the entire 2021 NFL season if the Packers don’t trade him. That would create a ton of drama with Packers training camp set to open late next month.
As for widespread issues between Rodgers and his organization, star wide receiver Davante Adams reported to mandatory minicamp despite his stance in favor of the star quarterback. That comes on the heels of reports suggesting Rodgers told certain teammates early last season that he would not be in Green Bay long term. Adams himself is looking for a new contract and is slated to become a free agent following the 2021 campaign.
While a trade remains unlikely, it was previously noted that Rodgers preferred joining three West Coast teams: the San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos.
San Francisco has since selected fellow quarterback Trey Lance No. 3 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, making a trade to the 49ers highly unlikely. Meanwhile, the Broncos are now odds-on favorites to land Rodgers should his trade request somehow be fulfilled.
For now, drama is the name of the game between one of the greatest quarterbacks in modern NFL history and an organization that in the past had been void of it.
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