Report: 'Widespread belief' QB Aaron Rodgers will remain with Packers

Weeks after NFL Network's Ian Rapoport first reported that the relationship between the Green Bay Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers is "a complete 180" from where it was last summer when the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player stayed away from the organization in a presumed attempt to orchestrate a trade, Rapoport said the two sides were "having discussions" on a deal and then went one step further when he explained on Thursday that talks between the two are "in a very good place."

Add The Athletic's Jeff Howe to the growing list of individuals putting smiles on the faces of Green Bay fans ahead of the first weekend of March. 

"There’s a widespread belief around the league that quarterback Aaron Rodgers will remain with the Packers," Howe reported late Thursday afternoon. "Teams have inquired about his availability, but they don’t believe a trade will ultimately happen this offseason." 

While Rodgers hasn't yet made his intentions known to the Packers, Howe notes "the widespread opinion" is the 38-year-old is staying put. 

Interestingly, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst told reporters Tuesday he hadn't received calls from teams asking about Rodgers' availability, a claim Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio later questioned. However, head coach Matt LaFleur offered some insight on the situation when he admitted on Wednesday that Rodgers played a "significant role" in bringing former assistant Tom Clements out of retirement to rejoin Green Bay as quarterbacks coach. 

Clements previously worked for the Packers from 2006 through the 2016 season and received public praise from Rodgers as recently as January.

Rodgers, Derek Carr, Russell Wilson and Baker Mayfield are among big-name starting quarterbacks heavily linked with returns to their current employers for the 2022 campaign at a time when teams allegedly aren't interested in trading assets for wantaway Houston Texans star quarterback Deshaun Watson. 

This offseason may not be as interesting as some predicted only a few weeks ago.