Packers' Matt LaFleur speaks about Aaron Rodgers in past tense

It sounds like Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur knows he's worked his last game having Aaron Rodgers as his starting quarterback. 

As shared by Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk, LaFleur spoke of Rodgers in the past tense on Tuesday and offered the latest sign that the future Hall of Famer will eventually be traded to the New York Jets. 

"First of all, I’ve got nothing but love and appreciation for what Aaron has done for so many in our organization and obviously have experienced a lot of great times together, won a lot of football games together," LaFleur said of Rodgers. "Ultimately, didn’t bring home a Super Bowl, which will always be disappointing. But he’s done so much for myself and my family, our coaches’ families, so many people within the organization, other players. A lot of people have been rewarded, quite frankly, because of his ability to go out there and play and play at such a high level. I’m just going to kind of leave it at that."

In early December, LaFleur said he "absolutely" wanted Rodgers to return to the Packers for at least the 2023 season. That was before Rodgers reportedly used a "darkness retreat" to help him determine he wants to play for the Jets this year and before Packers president and chief executive officer Mark Murphy essentially confirmed the organization wants to move on from the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player and start 2020 first-round draft pick Jordan Love.

Per Rob Demovsky of ESPN, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst indicated on Monday that he was unable to get in touch with Rodgers this offseason until the signal-caller's representatives told the club "that he would like to be traded to the Jets." 

LaFleur declined to say how close the Packers and Jets are to completing a deal. 

"At the same time, we’re excited about Jordan and how he’s been able to progress as a quarterback, how he’s matured as a man," LaFleur added about the unproven 24-year-old. 

Jets general manager Joe Douglas suggested Monday that he needs no plan B for the quarterback position because it's a matter of when and not if Gang Green will land Rodgers. LaFleur, meanwhile, already seems to have Love atop his depth chart heading into the upcoming NFL Draft.