With the offseason officially here and many roster changes on the horizon, things could not be rockier in regard to where things stand with the Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Mike Florio of NBC Sports cited longtime Packers reporter Bob McGinn after his recent podcast appearance with Tyler Dunne in saying that the Packers may be “done with Rodgers.”
“He’s not coming back,” McGinn told Dunne, utilizing his own instincts and information from people with “first-hand knowledge.” “I mean, they’re disgusted with him, and they’re done with him. And they’re moving on.”
If you’re curious who the “they” McGinn is referring to consists of, it’s essentially everybody. McGinn told Dunne that the entire power structure containing CEO Mark Murphy, general manager Brian Gutekunst, and head coach Matt LaFleur are all done with the longtime Packer. Reportedly, they are under the impression that he phoned in the 2022-23 season, thinking he is no longer working hard and that he showed up in less-than-ideal shape after blowing off the offseason training program.
McGinn also noted that the team “fully believes” in former first-round pick Jordan Love and his ability to take over as the full-time starter. McGinn went as far as to assert that even if Rodgers insists on returning to Green Bay, he will do so as Love’s backup.
The situation as it has been illustrated points to an inevitable trade. There’s simply no way to move forward together if McGinn’s reporting is accurate. After coming back following a flirtation with retirement last year, the Packers are apparently ready to take the option out of Rodgers’s hands. Unfortunately, the way the situation has deteriorated will make it harder for Green Bay to dictate the terms. Knowing the Packers are done with him will allow other teams to low-ball offers for the former MVP.
Regardless, it appears that Rodgers’s time in Wisconsin has come to an end. Whether he decides to retire or is traded to a team desperate for an upgrade at quarterback, the Packers are set to move forward with Love under center.
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