Report: Packers GM did not promise to grant Aaron Rodgers trade request

As the football world awaits Aaron Rodgers‘ decision about his Packers future, Green Bay’s GM offered a clarification that could inject some 2021-style turbulence into this situation.

Brian Gutekunst said Wednesday his agreement with Rodgers last year was to “sit down and work it out, one way or another,” via ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky. Gutekunst added he never promised he would trade Rodgers if a request surfaced. 

Rodgers’ kind words about 2021 adversaries Gutekunst and team president Mark Murphy notwithstanding, the Packers being ready for another standoff — if Rodgers wants a trade — would set up an unexpected sequel to last year’s drama.

To get Rodgers to report to the Packers last year, the team took the 2023 season off the MVP’s contract and made 2022 a walk year. While Rodgers would be a free agent in 2023, that would come when he is 39. With his prime waning, the four-time MVP would be a more attractive option to teams in 2022 than he would a year from now. That said, Rodgers would surely be coveted on next year’s market — should this process get there. After reworking Rodgers’ contract, the Packers cannot use the franchise tag on him in 2023.

Rodgers and Davante Adams‘ Wisconsin futures are up in the air. Gutekunst said Wednesday a non-zero chance of Adams departing in free agency exists. While the Packers have not used their franchise tag since 2010, Adams should be expected to be tagged by the time the window closes March 8. Rodgers’ status clouds Adams’, however. It will be interesting to see how outspoken quarterback responds to Gutekunst, in the event he does not wish to return for an 18th Packers season.