Cory's Corner: Aaron Rodgers Affects So Many Things
It's hard to quantify how valuable Rodgers is to the Packers.
The one aspect that many are forgetting is whom the Aaron Rodgers situation will impact.
Remember, Aaron Jones signed a four-year, $48 million contract on March 14. He signed that deal with the trust and understanding that Rodgers, the No. 3 quarterback in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus heading into 20201, would be under center in Green Bay. Obviously, Jones isn’t going to disparage Jordan Love, but we all know that Rodgers will be light years better than a guy that hasn’t taken a game snap as a professional.
Then there’s Davante Adams. He broke Sterling Sharpe’s franchise record for catches with 115 last year and tied Sharpe’s franchise record for touchdown catches with 18. There’s no denying that Adams and Rodgers play off of each other so well, to the point that each player basically knows what the other is thinking.
“I got his back through everything,” said Adams during mandatory minicamp earlier this month. “He knows where I stand, I’ll stand on a (expletive) mountain and scream on the mountain top that I want him back.”
Finally, we have left tackle David Bakhtiari. This guy should be one of Rodgers’ favorite people on earth because he protects his blind side and has been consistently ranked as one of the best tackles in the game.
"I will never hold any grudge against him,” said Bakhtiari during mandatory minicamp as rehabbed his torn ACL. “That is someone that I have appreciated, and he has done a lot for this organization and a lot for me as an individual.”
Each one of these three guys is either the best at his position or very, very close. I think it’s extra special that each one of them knows that one of the reasons they are valued so highly is because of Rodgers. In Jones’ case, if Rodgers recognizes a hole in the defensive front that he can exploit, he will call Jones’ number. If he spots a favorable matchup that Adams will beat, which he does most of the time anyway, he will look to him. And Bakhtiari loves blocking for Rodgers because No. 12 has been quick to thank the offensive line, even when things don’t go well.
But what about the guys that aren’t even Packers? How does this impact 2022 free agency and beyond? Will players be even more timid about coming to Green Bay? More timid than they already were?
The reason this story is so important is because there are so many ripples that affect so many different things. I wouldn’t expect Adams to come back to Green Bay if Rodgers isn’t here. He can basically name his price or he could also follow Rodgers wherever that may be.
The cliché has always been that the quarterback is the most important position in all of sports. After seeing how impactful Rodgers is with just three Packers offensive players, his worth is almost impossible to quantify. He makes everyone’s job so much easier because he is a wizard. He deceives the defense with perfect play-actions, he has pinpoint accuracy by throwing receivers open and he can use his legs to avoid the rush, which helps out the offensive line immensely.
So if you’re wondering just how good Rodgers is, he’s better than you think.
This is class! Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams are on a mission! pic.twitter.com/GRLhwUgrkr
— IKE Packers Podcast (@IKE_Packers) December 28, 2020
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (191)
Guam
June 19, 2021 at 07:04 am
If we have a young, less accurate quarterback with a team that relies on a stronger running game, is Adams worth $20 million a year to the Packers? If we have a young, fleeted footed quarterback with a strong rushing attack, is the best pass blocking left tackle worth $21 million a year to the Packers? A good team is a group of pieces that fit well together. If we don't have Rodgers are Adams and Bahktiari worth as much to the Packers? Are they pieces that continue to fit well together if the QB is Jordan Love? I think those ripples can flow in both directions.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
June 19, 2021 at 07:36 am
I'm with you Guam!
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 07:51 am
They do, Guam.
This has all turned into such a freaking nightmare.
Imagine how differently this future of the Packers would be if AR wanted to be here. If he wanted to rework his deal for less to help retain the other players, like Davante. Keep the band together, ala Brady.
I really want the Packers to keep Davante Adams. Especially with Love at QB. I’m only now starting to wonder if that is necessary, at $25M per year? More?
Guam
June 19, 2021 at 08:09 am
GG: Part of what disturbs me about Rodgers is his selfishness. Does he even realize that his departure could have significant negative career consequences for his friends on the team? A team is built to fit together and compliment each other's strengths. Remove the cornerstone piece and the other pieces can easily look like misfits. Will Davante get as much of a contract from another team as he would from the Packers with Rodgers at QB? Will the Packers keep Bahk's big contract if they don't need the best pass blocking LT in the game?
Does Rodgers care?
Since'61
June 19, 2021 at 09:44 am
Guam the flip side to your question is do the Packers care?
After his 3rd MVP season and giving everything he has to the team over his 16 year career he asked for a guarantee to remain the Packers starting QB. Now in fairness, we don't know the number of years he asked for.
However, apparently the packers won't give Rodgers a guarantee and as a result he has asked to be traded.
Which, as far as we know, based on what the Packers have said, they're not going to trade Rodgers.
so where does that leave Rodgers? It leaves him with no control over his future either with the Packers or with an opportunity to extend his career with another team. So he's holding out for a trade.
The Packers should have made a multiplayer deal including Rodgers, Adams and Bak, most likely with the Broncos. But they haven't, unless they are working on such a deal which would give them cap space, multiple draft picks and probably a few quality players.
So the current stance by the Packers is risking the upcoming 2021 season and even future seasons because if Rodgers retires after holding out for 2021 the Packers get nothing but some cap space for future seasons and if Love goes bust any near to mid-term SB chances go down the drain as well.
Now it's possible that as gg has proposed that Rodgers wants out because of his fiancee. That is also possible in which case the Packers should accommodate Rodgers ASAP and move. However, I believe this has happened because the Packers refused to give Rodgers any guarantees even for the remaining length of his contract. Their plan is to trade Rodgers after 2021 regardless of the results of the season and to stick with their plan.
So the question we should be asking, since we really are only speculating is not only does Rodgers care but also do the Packers care about Rodgers and the other players affected? They may be impacting the SB aspirations of their players and their fans for a long time to come. We know they don't care about the fans. Be well.
Thanks, Since '61
Ferrari-Driver
June 19, 2021 at 10:09 am
"The Packers should have made a multiplayer deal including Rodgers, Adams and Bak, most likely with the Broncos."
Since 61, making a statement like this is so unlike your many posts which I have read in the past. You are arguably talking about the three best players at their position in football. What would Denver give the Packers in return? Denver Stadium and their state capitol?
Since'61
June 19, 2021 at 10:37 am
Actually I have posted along with others here that the Packers should make a multiplayer deal which includes Adams at least.
The primary reason for suggesting such a trade is to get a maximum return for two or three players before the Packers lose them for no return.
If Rodgers retires after holding out we get no return except for cap space. If Rodgers is traded alone we will lose Adams to FA with no return because he will follow Rodgers.
As for Bak, he was re-signed to protect Rodgers. Do we need him if Rodgers is gone at $20 million of cap space. Plus we don’t know how long we’ll have Bak available in 2021 and he can be reinjured if he does return. So I say package them all in return for draft picks, Jeudy, Surtain and Chubb if Denver is the trading partner. Plus we gain a ton of cap space.
Bottom line is that I don’t expect anything to happen before TC. By then Rodgers may return, but is that the approach we really want to take, forcing a player to return? IMO, we need a resolution, whether it’s a deal with Rodgers or a trade.
Thanks, Since ‘61
SanLobo
June 19, 2021 at 12:29 pm
You have repeatedly put forth the argument for a package deal of Rodgers and Adams, and it makes a lot of sense. Trading him now makes the most sense:
1. In the handful of videos we’ve seen of Rodgers he has appeared very comfortable and at ease. As you pointed out, if Rodgers decides he will not miss football or he just loathes the FO that much and walks away, GB gets $23M spread over two years, cap space and nothing else.
2. A package deal with Adams now reaps most value. You can’t trade what you don’t have and this is Adams last year. Both he and Rodgers are getting older and are sort’a a package deal anyway.
3. A package deal including Bakh could reap the best rewards. A Rodgers sandwich slathered in Adams dressing wrapped in a Bakh bun may be too big for another team to swallow. But if they could, GB would have draft picks and money to burn as well as some new young talented players on the roster.
You make a lot of good points.
dekan51
June 19, 2021 at 10:26 am
what kind of 'guarantee' does AR want? as long as he is the best qb for GB, he'll be the starter. isn't that true with every player, on every team, in every sport? i dont believe he wants a guarentee. i think this all boils down to him not liking/feeling disrespected by Murphy. period. none of us know what really happened, or whats going on. i just feel like if AR wants to win another SB, GB is the best place to do it, esp this season. lots of players play for teams, owners, coaches, etc that they dont like. we've all had kids who dont like their coaches, and we tell them to buckle up and do your job. i view this as AR whining. im not alone. others view it as Murphy and packer management giving the finger to the best player on the team. i dont see it that way. i think management is always focused on the future stability of the team. i think thats their job. could their actions impact the SB aspirations for the team this year? yes. but they are always looking at the big picture. i think AR is looking only at his picture.....
Since'61
June 19, 2021 at 10:51 am
AR has stated that he wants to finish his career in Green Bay. He has since learned after his 3rd MVP season that isn’t going to happen so he has asked to be traded to a team that will allow him to play into his 40s which he has also said he wants to do.
The Packers want to move on to Love. They need to since they spent a 1st and a 4th on him. That’s why Rodgers won’t be the QB as long as he’s the best QB in Green Bay. Regardless of how well Rodgers plays in 2021 the FO wants/needs to move on. That’s been their plan since they drafted Love. To me that’s where the impasse is.
The other possibility, as greengold has advanced is that his fiancée doesn’t want to be in Green Bay. If that’s the case the Packers should make a trade and get some return for the team. That would be thinking about the future. Rather than stating they are not going to trade Rodgers (until they want to of course, after 2021). What’s the point of keeping a player here if he doesn’t want to here (for whatever reason) and the FO wants to move to their new toy who they need to justify spending significant draft capital for?
The problem is that it is at least a season too early for the FO because they no idea what they have with Love yet.
The point is both sides share blame in this situation. What’s needed is a resolution either via trade or new contract.
Thanks, Since ‘61
Coldworld
June 19, 2021 at 12:06 pm
AR has stated a lot of things. It doesn’t mean those past statements remain true or that they are complete. If AR wants a guarantee that he will be paid a Kings ransom regardless of whether he can still play at an elite level in 2 or 3 or even 5 years or that the team can supply him with talent, then that’s a very different proposition.
If he doesn’t want that kind of guarantee then there is nothing to fight about or he no longer wants to retire as a Packer. Either he has changed his mind or is demanding that the team prejudice their and his chances. The simple fact is that he has the best roster in years. He is not here for reasons unknown. Please stop trying to pretend they are magnanimous. This is about him and his self-perceived interests, not the good of the franchise or fans.
Dekan is right on the money.
Fabio
June 19, 2021 at 02:59 pm
Mahomes stated that "You definitely want me to stay here as long as possible and as long as possible. I'm here" speaking of Tyrann Mathieu. So he's interfering with the FO and rightfully KC will cut PM because the Q has to think only about playing ..... LOL
PhantomII
June 19, 2021 at 03:21 pm
A first and a 4th only means something to Gutes ego. I have seen a couple handfuls of 1's fail miserably here. Is Rodgers eventual decline better than Loves peak????? We don't know. I think Rodgers improvises a lot in the ML offense, would it work even better if someone , just played within the offense? AR is a little prickly to deal with his own ego and dirty looks to WR's, etc. None of this would even be talked about if the FO had not hired ML and spent a boat load of money in FA. Spent multiple 1's on the defense to get the quality of the product up to snuff. No MVP or even a winning season without all that. Rodgers should feel fortunate Gute has done what he has for this team. He has not done everything right, but he has tried to build this team up with talent for ML scheme. Let's not forget no crowd noise in covered stadiums this last season for AR to maximize his verbal calls at the line also helped. This team is better than last years and we are ready to roll but for one huge problem.....QB #1 feels empowered with an MVP season because Gute did a lot of things right, ML called a lot of good plays and players on offense and defense did their job also. MVP is a great TEAM EFFORT !!!!!
Stroh
June 19, 2021 at 03:44 pm
Actually Rodgers learned BEFORE his 3rd MVP that he may not finish his career in GB! YOUR initial fact being blatantly WRONG invalidates any other argument you make after!
As usual your clueless!!
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 05:20 pm
dekan51 - Agree x a bazillion...
jannesbjornson
June 19, 2021 at 01:42 pm
Yes, Move Murphy Out.
SanLobo
June 19, 2021 at 04:41 pm
In the past your comment that Rodgers would be starter as long as he played well would be true. But the new Collective Bargaining Agreement changes things.
The new CBA requires teams to make a decision to extend a player’s contract for a 5th year during their 3d year. Essentially, GB needs Love under center in his 3d year to make a decision on his 5th. And for Love, that 5th year contract will be around $18M. GB needs to know taking that 5th year option is worth $18M. Rodgers knows the clock started when Love was picked. Rodgers assumed GB planned to jettison him after 2020 or no later than 2021. Which, as ‘Since 61’ has pointed out, is highly likely what the FO has planned all along.
jannesbjornson
June 19, 2021 at 01:37 pm
Never let the accountants, or in this case low ball, run your operation. They lack vision. They value a Ford pickup like a Lamborghini. Been there seen that with these used car dealers. Even Vince wanted out and got back East.
Fabio
June 19, 2021 at 02:59 pm
Mahomes stated that "You definitely want me to stay here as long as possible and as long as possible. I'm here" speaking of Tyrann Mathieu. So he's interfering with the FO and rightfully KC will cut PM because the Q has to think only about playing ..... LOL
Stroh
June 19, 2021 at 04:34 pm
Players play in the here and NOW! They are the ones who lack the vision of the franchise's future! Players dont' care about the future they care only about the present! The FO thinking future and having a vision for the future is EXACTLY why this situation exists! The FO and GM think bout 2, 3, 5 yrs and beyond the current QB. Which is precisely why they drafted Love in the 1st place!
You have got to THINK before you type!!!
jannesbjornson
June 19, 2021 at 07:01 pm
Riddle me this home boy. If Jefferson fell or Lynch didn't move up ahead of Gutedkunst's pick and deal with the queens for Aiyuk, do you think Love would be on this squad? He was fair value at #29, but Indy was sniffing a new QB also, so they made a move for Love and dumped a four pick to get in position. No foresight or grand scheme. Boyle could have backed up AR if necessary. I remember in Moose Hanson's High school calculus class back in '71, he had THINK written out in big letters on the corkboard. Je pense donc, je suis. Look in the mirror.
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 08:05 pm
This is tight AF jannes. Well done.
dekan51
June 21, 2021 at 06:42 pm
"No foresight or grand scheme."
I think just the opposite. Gute wanted one of those 2 WR, as you stated. That was his 1st choice. When that didnt happen, his next best scenario was the possibility of getting, what he considered, a franchise QB. Clearly he felt that way about Love, and knowing GB rarely gets a top 5 pick, felt he could plan for the future getting a QB he liked a lot if he fell to the 20's, which is what happened. That is a man with a plan! He had eyes on both the present, a WR who could step in right away, or the future, if his 2 WR's were gone. He thought ahead and planned for any scenario which could help the GBP. He was prepared for anything that went down that day.....
greengold
June 22, 2021 at 05:56 pm
Agree, and missed that part you pointed out. The Packers FO knew what they wanted and prepared for the possibilities. Love was definitely in their plans, having been scouted heavily and interviewed by Gutekunst, LaFleur & the coaching staff a number of times.
Fabio
June 20, 2021 at 08:06 am
So Stroh do you think KC will cut one between Mahomes or Mathieu?
Guam
June 19, 2021 at 03:49 pm
Since'61: I agree that the problem between Rodgers and the Packers is guarantees (as opposed to fiancee issues), but we part ways after that point. My problem with your premise that the Packers don't care is that Rodgers signed a big contract not very long ago and he and his agent had to be well aware of the Packers planning process. After all, Rodgers had a front row seat to the replacement of Favre. If Rodgers wanted guarantees, it should have happened in the current contract. I find it disingenuous to try to add guarantees to a contract that is already signed.
The Packer FO drafted Love to replace an aging Rodgers just like they drafted Rodgers to replace an aging Favre. Rodgers and his agent have no business being surprised by the Packers planning process. It is not that the Packers don't care, it is that they have a process they clearly followed successfully before and it is no surprise they are following it again in an attempt to sustain a winning franchise. Rodgers' reaction to that known process has been remarkably poor. I believe Rodgers should fulfill the contract he signed and make every effort to be a better QB than Jordan Love for every year of that contract. If he is beaten out by Love, he will not end his career in Green Bay. And that is the process he and his agent should have expected when they signed the last contract.
SanLobo
June 19, 2021 at 05:01 pm
My impression is Rodgers believes he was told by the FO he would be in GB until he was 40. I remember the pressers after the contract was signed and Murphy talking that Rodgers would be there long enough to retire as a Packer and Rodgers saying how good it felt knowing he was a Packer until he turned 40, and hopefully beyond. I remember articles stating Murphy personally working with Rodgers, et al, to put the contract together.
Flash forward to the Mayne interview and Rodgers mentioned the importance of character. When people talk character they usually mean integrity. Real or just perceived by Rodgers, my take is Rodgers believes someone has dealt with him in a duplicitous manner. (Last time I wrote this it generated a bunch of down votes and personal invectives aimed at Rodgers… and again I’m talking about how I think he sees the world.)
Anyway, this is why I see this relationship now as irreparable and why I agreed with Since 61 that a trade now is in the best interests of everyone…especially a trade bundle.
Guam
June 19, 2021 at 09:38 pm
You may well be right SanLobo, but Rodgers and his agent should have known better and gotten it in writing. Feel good verbal exchanges are no substitute for written contracts. Good players unexpectedly become available through the draft or free agency, cap circumstances change, FO personnel change, etc. etc. - put it in writing.
Rodgers has only his agent and himself to blame if he didn't get what he really wanted in the last contract. Nonetheless I believe you are correct in that he is blaming the front office for something. Misplaced in my view, but I certainly don't know all the facts. I just have been through too many contract negotiations to accept his agent didn't screw up - badly if Rodgers' chief concern was security.
I also agree with you that this may be irreparable and a trade may be in the best interests of all concerned.
Coldworld
June 19, 2021 at 06:50 pm
Agree, that’s what a contract negotiation is for. This contract was structured to give Rodgers a lot of money early, allow the team to improve the roster around him and move on IF he declined or was unable to get on the field. That was understood at the time.
For any player to ask for guarantees that protect him against the inability to play up to his salary is to ask a team to shoot itself in the foot. Where I disagree with some is the importance of Love. If Rodgers stayed at a pro bowl or close level under his current contract, Live would have been moved and another brought in or extended. Rodgers apparently can’t live with that, which just suggests he want guarantees beyond where he thinks he can justify them.
Thegreatreynoldo
June 20, 2021 at 02:36 am
AR knew. I put up a quote from August of 2018 in which AR said his new deal meant he would be the QB for at least the next three years. A couple of restructures added a fourth year (2021).
jannesbjornson
June 19, 2021 at 07:11 pm
That was the deal. They both covered some risk in the original contract and now that Rodgers exceeded expectations, his refi is due. The braintrust overpaid on the 2019 deals and recovered some of the excess , but
SARS-2-Cov-19 (an externality in the world of risk assessment) crimped the spreadsheet. Did cash rich NFL prorate the risk and maintain a value-based CAP in the interim? No they did not. Did Packertown, LLC play real estate agent and underestimate the demand for a ringside condo in the practical minded Midwest? Yes they did. Murphy wanted AR to take a hit along with the rest of the gang and forego a MVP bonus and other tidbits I'm sure.
Amy Berk
June 19, 2021 at 05:42 pm
Why is he so selfish? Why is it so hard for BG to give him a heads up on drafting a quarterback instead of a top wide receiver? Why should Rodgers have to constantly throw amazing throws and then give it back to the defense who consistently cannot stop the run? Why should he have to give up his pay when we draft players like RG who now in his third year going to play like a first round draft choice.
I'm tired of hearing about Rodgers so called selfishness or his ego. He is The best quarterback and Mark Murphy and BG can not get their ego out of their a....s and commit to winning the SB every year.
Actions speak louder than words and now finally BG starts to fill the wholes..After he got slammed by every media reporter for drafting so poorly last year
Rodgers had behaved professionally and he is tired of how the Packer organization has treated him
Any other team would love to have him as their quarterback. but I guess some Packer fans think he's just soooo selfish...deer me.
packer132
June 19, 2021 at 09:43 pm
You are way off the mark. See the post by Guam above and you might learn something. I am not going to repeat the logic, as it would go over your head. Packers drafted for the future with an older QB who had two sub years, just like what happened to Favre. You draft a future QB when you are not desperate. GM and front office have produced two 13-3 seasons with a rookie coach, and this year the roster is the best in many years. Rodgers can either get onboard or sit home and pay back over $30 million. To say he has been professional in the last few years is a laugh. Deer me.
Rebecca
June 20, 2021 at 10:33 am
f___ y____¡
jannesbjornson
June 20, 2021 at 01:16 pm
Will the Fans be part of any trade proposal?
BJP
June 19, 2021 at 11:34 am
Bear in mind that you like all of us really have no clue what Aaron Rodgers’ intentions are. When I analyze everything Rodgers has said over the last several years I see him actually wanting to be a Packer for life. I don’t believe The front office actually offered to restructure his contract so he would stay for two years or more guaranteed. If Aaron wanted to leave he would have no reason to stay mum right now. The fact he’s not talking indicates he himself is keeping the door open to come back.
Stroh
June 19, 2021 at 04:46 pm
BJP great comment! And your correct everything Rodgers said in the recent past suggests its his great desire to end his career in GB. And since they drafted Love he hasn't spoken at all about wanting out of GB. He's using what leverage he gained by winning the MVP to try to get his remaining years in GB guaranteed. The media has been creating their own narrative ever since. None of which is based on facts!
Coldworld
June 19, 2021 at 08:40 am
Rodgers is free to make his own choices. He’s financially set for life and he’s earned that. Not much we can do about it. Machinations aside by either side, I’m at the point where the focus is now in a team led by Love or even Bortles in the short term. What does that mean?
Looking at film, Love is capable of accuracy and distance, but obviously not in Rodgers level of consistency, but our offense has changed too. We’ve not seen any other QB since this offense was really installed, even in camp. It will be interesting to see what differences as much as how Love or Bortles perform.
This wasn’t what anyone wanted this year, except perhaps Rodgers, but it doesn’t make it any less intriguing. I’m starting to view it as the roller coaster ride that is the blooding of a high ceiling but unknown floor QB and the potential to be good down the road when otherwise we would have been in decline. Now we get to see what this system really counts for and we start to have the freedom to bring in talent again as Rodgers cap hit fades out. Sounds interesting.
Pain now instead of in a year or two, but it was coming anyway. May as well buckle up and find out if our coach, system and new QB are the real deal.
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 02:44 pm
Great message for today, Coldworld. Very well said.
Fabio
June 21, 2021 at 03:13 am
Hello Coldworld
I've been thinking about something for some time. Many argue that this team wins for the MLF game system and that the Q is not that important because the game system will always allow players to open up and for the Q it will be easy to find his WR, TE, RB .. ..
So I wonder why we don't do as the Patriots did with Garoppolo. They also selected him for the future not being convinced that THE GOAT could still play for a long time, but when Belichick realized that Brady was still good years old he traded Garoppolo (what happened next I don't even mention). So why don't we trade Love too (reassure AR for another 2/3 years) and draw up a new Q for the future?
dobber
June 19, 2021 at 09:39 am
No, you never need other high end players if your MVP QB goes away.
The Bakhtiari argument is a moot point. The contract is signed. And Bakhtiari is also an above-average run blocker to go with being a top-flite pass blocker. Just about every team in the league salivates over top-end left tackles...especially with right handed QBs.
Why are so few people saying that maybe we need to invest MORE strongly in the high-end peripheral players with a developing and/or lesser player at QB?
I'd like to see how much of this salary bloat coming with the discussion of Adams and others isn't now the direct result of teams pushing off salary due to the reduced cap and inflating cap hits and salaries in 2022 and beyond? Perhaps an unexpected consequence of covid capanomics.
flackcatcher
June 19, 2021 at 07:47 pm
I'm wondering about the Packers sudden use of void years. Is Ball of out of Cap options. And Covid capeconomics, we haven't even see the bow wave on that yet.
Migas
June 19, 2021 at 10:07 am
I understand your point but if Love is the starter you can bet every DC will take away the run first and force Love to beat them passing. And as far as pass blocking, expect every exotic blitz package that DCs can create to be used with the understanding that Love's ability to read defenses will be impaired due to his limited snaps.
The offense will still need to be balanced in order to succeed. So his accuracy or lack thereof will be put to the test every week. More potential turnovers will put more pressure on the defense.
If Rodgers does not return I don't expect Adams to return. And perhaps the Packers would not want to pay him what he'll want anyway. I think the ripple effects outlined by both sides will be interesting to watch.
jurp
June 19, 2021 at 01:28 pm
If Rodgers returns, we can't afford Adams' next contract. Ironically, if Rodgers is traded, then there is a slim chance Adams will be back because AR's cap hit is much reduced. Whether Adams WANTS to re-sign in that event is up in the air. My gut feeling is that this is Adams' last season in GB regardless of what happens with AR.
jannesbjornson
June 19, 2021 at 07:16 pm
What if the CAP moves up 25-30 M ?
flackcatcher
June 19, 2021 at 08:02 pm
As dobber said, we don't know a damn about the effect Covid had on the Cap long or short term. With the TV contracts not kicking in till 2023, things could get 'interesting' and in not a good way for NFL in general.
jannesbjornson
June 20, 2021 at 01:19 pm
They are making money 24/7, 352 days a year.
Roadrunner23
June 19, 2021 at 12:55 pm
Guam
Well I agree with most of what you say, Jordan love is not a fleet footed quarterback. If you watch his college film he’s a kind of clumsy runner at best And not elusive at all. His arm is his best attribute but he has miles to go when it comes to reading a defense. There will be major growing pains.
dobber
June 19, 2021 at 02:06 pm
Yup...there's a difference between being a "mobile QB" and a "running QB". He was mobile.
Guam
June 19, 2021 at 09:22 pm
No argument Nostradanus, I think my hyperbole got the better of me. Dobber has it right with "mobile". Love is not Lamar Jackson to be sure.
And yes, I expect a rough couple of years with Love. Rodgers had a tough first year despite three years of preparation. Love will do no better and likely worse. Hopefully MLF's system is more new quarterback friendly than MM's.
Stroh
June 19, 2021 at 03:35 pm
Absolutely Adams and Bahktiari are still extremely valuable to the Packers. A great LT is worth his weight in gold no matter who the QB is. Especially in today's NFL where passing at minimum 55% or more is the norm. And who helps a young QB more than a legit #1 WR he can look for to get open on every down?!
Favre had Sharpe who he looked to. You can gradually diversify the offense as the young QB grows.
It's extremely short sighted to not recognize the importance of an elite LT. There is a reason every team will draft one in the top 10 if given the opportunity! WR isn't as important as LT, but Adams would be a great security blanket for Love!
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 04:04 pm
I totally agree with you, Stroh.
First, I think Bakhtiari is too big a nut for them to take in trade with AR, and therefore seems unlikely. As for Adams, I could see him & Love being very successful, easily through 4 more years.
I just think AR wants Davante, and the Packers are not budging there, offering any of the other WRs as alternatives. It’s possible DEN isn’t offering enough.
Possible the Packers want to extend Adams now and not trade AR till next year too... make him sit. Many possibilities in play.
Stroh
June 19, 2021 at 05:57 pm
Denver would like to make any trade for Rodgers now. It would make them a legit contender this season. However the Packers do not want to trade Rodgers and especially not before this season. If Denver has Rodgers this year, and the Packers get Denvers 1st rd pick in the next couple drafts, those picks immediately lose value. The Packers waiting till next year means that the Denver pick is suddenly likely top 10 again instead of 20-30 w/ Rodgers! Thats a huge difference in value.
I don't see Adams tied directly to Rodgers except that it will be easier to resign him if Rodgers is not on the cap as much. Otherwise Adams and Rodgers are not tied together in any way. He'll be happy to resign in GB if given the contract he wants... Money talks!
Crankbait
June 20, 2021 at 06:48 am
If we don't have Rogers, our trenches on both sides of the ball will be exposed for how mediocre they really are.
stockholder
June 20, 2021 at 07:11 am
Truthfully, you are exactly right! The problem with the trenches is this. Gute awarded the jobs to Lowrey and Keke. Just like he's rewarding the job to the center. The competition behind them; is either ready to move on, or a step away from being cut. Regardless; it's always 2nd best. Next man up. And that is how this team is being run. Any winner will tell you; 2nd best is for losers.
Crankbait
June 20, 2021 at 06:48 am
If we don't have Rogers, our trenches on both sides of the ball will be exposed for how mediocre they really are.
Lare
June 19, 2021 at 07:21 am
If the Rodgers situation gets resolved, what will Cory write about?
Guam
June 19, 2021 at 07:24 am
Thumbs up Lare!
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 07:40 am
You got a thumbs up on that one from me.
dobber
June 19, 2021 at 09:26 am
I'll check the Packers news from six weeks ago and let you know.
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 09:29 am
Rock. Solid.
Alberta_Packer
June 19, 2021 at 12:55 pm
CBJ reminds me of the agent that only has one good client. Should he lose him - then I would expect subsequent articles on - "What Was Aaron Rodgers Best Facial Look?" or "Jake Kumerow - Mortal or Legend?" or "Who's Hotter - Olivia Nunn, Danica Patick or Shailene Woodley?"
Stroh
June 19, 2021 at 05:58 pm
Preferably he would stop writing! Rarely makes sense anyway.
Leatherhead
June 19, 2021 at 06:59 pm
No. Exercise your freedom to choose not to read it. I read tons of stuff that I think is nonsense, and that doesn’t include the posters I don’t read because they’ve shown they don’t know squat.
jannesbjornson
June 19, 2021 at 07:20 pm
The Master, speaks.
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 07:39 am
Great point, Guam.
This morning I was just reading TGR’s piece “Extending Davante Adams,” from April 19th of this year, Amazing how the Packers’ world has changed since. I’d love to know if or how his thoughts have changed on this since.
You mention $20M per year. TGR mentioned a guess around $22m per year. Now, I’m hearing numbers like $25-30M. Wow.
I love Davante Adams, but $25-30M per??? Might be possible, but more likely cost prohibitive.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
June 19, 2021 at 07:43 am
Love Adam's but no it wouldnt be worth it.
If Rodger's is gone so is Adam's. If Love has a great year and Adam's has great stats in 2021 Adam's might consider staying with the Packers, but to me the cost is going to be way too prohibitive. We saw the impact in FA with Amos, Turner, Preston, and Z. Need to get rid of some of these prohibitive salaries for just a few players and continue to improve overall talent on team.
Coldworld
June 19, 2021 at 08:50 am
It all depends on how Love turns out. If he does well and has chemistry with Adams then perhaps. If we aren’t contenders realistically next year then shedding big contracts on 30 something players starts to make sense. The aim being to find players who can be to Love what Jordy was to Rodgers and to hone the next Bakh while the QB progresses. If he doesn’t, then we are in the rebuild mode I think was inevitable post Rodgers anyway. Love could be looked at as a roll of the dice to avoid the post Rodgers dive. It’s not come due to injury, but it seems to have happened.
jannesbjornson
June 19, 2021 at 01:48 pm
All in on 4-13 for 2022.
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 03:04 pm
This is such tired, weak BS. Do you think for one second Matt LaFleur feels the same as you are stating here? Or the 89 other players currently on this team? Fuck no.
Stroh
June 19, 2021 at 06:42 pm
The players certainly wouldn't think that way. They are elite athletes that will think they can win under any circumstances. The HC has to do his best to make the playoffs so whether he thinks it or now, its his job to make the playoffs.
But also lets face facts... Rodgers after learning for 3 yrs before he took over only managed a 6-10 record. With Love starting I don't see it being much better. And quite possibly as bad as 4 wins. An elite QB does make a difference between say 6-10 and 12-4. I think thats been proven thru the years and its only become more of a QB centric game. My guess is 6-11 w/ Love as a 1st year starter, after only one (truncated) season before taking the reigns.
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 08:41 pm
Non-believers.
Imagine a very real 25 offensive plays per game being turned into runs. A dedicated rushing attack is just that, dedicated. It’s not lip service.
Matt LaFleur is a run heavy HC, and for two years, we failed to see that.
4 wins? Ever hear of Mel Knoke?
Feel the Power!
https://youtu.be/-O_3C7CWw4c
Thegreatreynoldo
June 20, 2021 at 03:55 am
It is always terrifying to go back and read older articles. There is a person on another site who used to screenshot comments and zap people with what they wrote 6 months earlier. CW knows to whom I refer.
I wrote that Adams' AAV might be more than $22M but it easily could be less. Well, I no longer think it will be less, but I think $25M is the ceiling. Hopkins is an outlier at $27.25M for new money: his cap hits will be $7M, $12M, $22M, $25M, and $27M after all, and Arizona's 3 year out is still $60.1M, or $20M per year.
I am not uncomfortable with what I wrote. Might add about 10% of the numbers I listing in his potential contract. If Adams plays out his current contract to become an unrestricted free agent, his price might go above $25M. In the deal I proposed, he got $40M fully guaranteed right now. At present, he has no guaranteed money but is sure to make $13.25M if he's on the roster for game one. That's a big difference.
greengold
June 20, 2021 at 06:03 am
Yeah, no zaps here. Thanks for your thoughts. Had heard rumblings about Adams getting a new deal, and saw your piece written prior to the draft. I thought it held up fine, but was amazed at how the landscape had changed since.
The info you share is always super helpful.
stockholder
June 19, 2021 at 07:45 am
It's gone to far to resolve it. Nobody will come to Green Bay. Adams will leave and make just as much money somewhere else. And Bahk will become Bulaga with back problems. Sorry but thats what happens to veterans. But why? Because this FO didn't care about Rodgers. They OFFENDED him.
NickPerry
June 19, 2021 at 08:12 am
"It's gone to far to resolve it."
SH... I have to disagree with that. Until Rodgers actually says something, EVERYTHING else is speculation. I'm not paying much attention to ANYONE who speculates.
The definition of speculate is: form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence
WITHOUT firm evidence. That's what most of these yahoo's are doing, they purpose a theory or opinion without a shread of evidence. As a matter of fact, those CLOSE to Rodgers, who KNOW Rodgers, who actually have TALKED to Rodgers, like John Kuhn, James Jones, and AJ Hawk to name a few have all said they expect him back.
murf7777
June 19, 2021 at 09:37 am
NP…..your right on the money. It’s all conjecture and opinions that are meaningless. Yet, so many try to figure this out. Rodgers loves the limelight and he is getting what he wants without saying much, just enough to keep him in the news. Why hasn’t Rodgers stated he wants to be traded? Cuz, he will be at TC and starting game one.
Stroh
June 19, 2021 at 06:57 pm
If this were about getting the limelight Rodgers would be out talking about it over and over. Instead he's stayed quiet (except the favor to Kenny Mayne on SC). its clearly not about the limelight! What hes done is taken a business posture to use what leverage he has (by virtue of his MVP and exceptional bounce back season) to get what he wants. More guaranteed years and maybe a say in personnel. I think he'll show sometime in training camp and will start game 1 in GB for sure. When he reports is hard to say. I would guess before the last preseason game.
He doesn't want a trade, he wants to finish his career in GB. Drafting Love made that less likely.
13TimeChamps
June 19, 2021 at 08:33 am
Bahk will have back problems moving forward because the FO offended Rodgers? Lol
dobber
June 19, 2021 at 09:52 am
If he has back problems, it will be because the Packers pay that big contract in pennies.
Coldworld
June 19, 2021 at 09:01 am
I also can not honestly see why Bakh’s back health is dependent on Rodgers presence or not. Adams will, as he said, go for the money on his last big deal. It is more feasible to keep him without Rodgers’ cap hit, ironically. Whether we still wish to will depend on what happens this season if Rodgers is indeed at home.
porupack
June 20, 2021 at 10:36 pm
STockholder,..this is ridiculous. This came from his girlfriend? Come to your senses dude.
Big difference between a guy getting offended and what you claim that the FO offended the guy. Can't help some delicate egos from getting offended. A contract is a contract. Rodgers has no reason to be offended. Suit up and be honorable, or go sit on a rocking chair....while the fan voters deny him HOF votes.
epzenk
June 22, 2021 at 03:43 pm
Stockholder – some perspective is needed based on your comments. I and many others have been Packers fans since the 60s. After Starr was injured and played his last season, the Packers had (3) winning seasons 1971, 1982 and 1989 and that’s it before Wolf/Holmgren/Favre arrived.
The naysayers said the same thing after Starr left. 'Nobody will come to Green Bay' or better yet teams said to players not performing, ‘if you don't start producing, we'll send you to Green Bay’, that was NOT meant as a compliment! This is how the Packers ended up with guys like Tootie Robbins, who was not a pro-bowl tackle, but a consummate pro’s pro who helped Favre in his first couple of seasons and he gave his all at the end of his career while in Green Bay. He too heard all the garbage being said about 'Green Bay'. And he discovered as many players do that hey Green Bay isn’t such a bad place to live and play football.
Some of the most highly regarded coaches and GMs asked Ron Wolf why he was going to Green Bay in 1991, because the Packers (in their esteemed opinions) would never win again. Wolf said the Packers are an iconic and storied organization, and Wolf said accepting the GM job was the toughest gig he faced yet in his soon to be HOF career. He also said he if wasn’t successful in Green Bay, he’d retire so what did he care. But he said if he could rebuild them, he’d be partially responsible for rebuilding one of best franchises in pro-football history….we’ll guess what? He was right! So implying no one will come to Green Bay is cannon fodder. This isn’t the 1970s/1980s and money talks!
I would like Rodgers to return, but if he’s ‘so offended’ by the FO then I’d say hit the door and don’t let it hit you on the way out. I hate prima donnas, I don’t care if it’s sports, business or the work place. Rodgers is quickly becoming a prima donna with his sarcastic comments, passive-aggressive behavior by letting others talk for him regarding his pissing contest with the FO or using meme’s to state 'I was offended' so he can claim plausible deniability and state: ‘I never said that’ crap.
The Packers have been around for 100+ years and will be here long after we’re dead and buried. This coaching staff, if forced to do so can make do with the talent they have. Does that equate to a playoff berth let alone a Super Bowl berth? It depends on Love and whether he can play, but that has been the question since they drafted him. The scheme MLF runs worked quite well for the Garoppolos’ and Goffs’ of the NFL world so it can be done. This team has an excellent offensive line, good running game, good group of receivers, TEs, plus an ascending defense so at least Love won’t have to carry the team like Favre had to from 1992-1994, 2000, 2005 and Rodgers has done in 2008, 2012-2013, 2017-2018.
Who knows if Love can play, but that is the mystery that will unfold if Rodgers is too ‘offended’ to return. Maybe some Packers fans have to suffer for 1-2 years so what? Their lives go on and if football is their life then I say I’m sorry for them b/c it’s just a game with highly paid, and sometimes pompous pro athletes who think they are God’s gifts to the world.
Most of us ‘older’ fans know a lot about our favorite team losing year after year. It’s pretty sad when you know your team’s season is over by game number 8 and you’re rooting for your team to knock off the Bears, Vikings, Cowboys or some other team competing for a playoff spot. Maybe it’s time for those who experienced only three losing seasons, 2005, 2008 and 2018 during the Favre/ Rodgers era to gain some perspective. It won’t be enjoyable, but life most of the time is never easy for the average person.
greengold
June 22, 2021 at 04:01 pm
I'd give you 1,000,000 thumbs up for that one if I could, epzenk! Well said.
I see a lot of really good stuff in place, despite our reigning MVP QB refusing to return to Green Bay.
The defense is ascending. We just added Stokes opposite Alexander, which I believe will take our Pass D into the top 3 realm. TJ Slaton has the size and motor to make an instant impact on our DL. Campbell at ILB was a plus addition. The Safety position is transforming with an infusion of good value additions (Uphoff was a highly coveted UDFA signing).
The offense still has new weapons. Amari Rodgers is about as perfect a fit for Matt LaFleur as it gets, and we should see the return of a healthy Josiah Deguara this season, who is another tailor made puzzle piece. The OL depth looks vastly improved. The RB depth is off the charts good. The WRs are already 9 or more deep in quality talents fighting for roster spots, and a talented QB in Jordan Love has Matt LaFleur to guide him through the maze successfully.
There is a lot to like. I would have killed to be able to watch this much talent in the Green & Gold in 1975, or 1985 for that matter...
Leatherhead
June 19, 2021 at 07:52 am
Oh, good, another article about somebody who isn’t on the team.
Go back and watch some of last year’s games, and ask yourself how many plays involve the QB doing something that that Love cannot do. It’s not as big of a number as you might think.
As far as Adams, he’s gone after this season. 30+ year old WRs are simply not that productive.
murf7777
June 19, 2021 at 09:39 am
LH..your right there isn’t many plays that Love can’t do, but games are won or lost most of the times on just a few plays.
dobber
June 19, 2021 at 09:58 am
I think the corollary is that we need to go back and find film on Love in pads and a Packers jersey that proves that he CAN do all the things that ARod was asked to do in LaF's offense.
A lot of us seemed to think that until 2017 Brett Hundley could--based on a couple flashy preseason games--do whatever he was asked to do over 4-6 games to keep the Packers afloat if ARod got hurt. It's all conjecture until he's actually asked to do it.
GregC
June 19, 2021 at 10:18 am
Brett Hundley showed some flashes in preseason as a rookie, missed his second preseason with an injury, and looked terrible in his third preseason. I don't remember many people thinking he would be a decent QB at that point. His failure as the starting QB was predictable.
Of course it's all conjecture with Love, but that's the way the league works, due to the amount of roster turnover. It was all conjecture about Robert Tonyan until last season, and about any player until they actually play in regular season games: Aaron Jones, Jaire Alexander, you name it.
I don't think Love is likely to be anywhere near as good as Rodgers, but he might be pretty good, even as a first-time starter in his second season. Patrick Mahomes was. It would be very interesting to find out
Coldworld
June 19, 2021 at 12:12 pm
I never saw that much of true QB potential in Hundley and don’t remember that buzz
Leatherhead
June 19, 2021 at 02:51 pm
Murf, most games do swing on just a few plays. Most football games are not won, they are lost, and they are lost by mistakes. Turnovers, penalties, sacks, missed assignments, etc.
Rodgers is the best ever at protecting the rock, and that's no small achievement, especially considering the guy he replaced.. We're going to miss that. It's not the reads, or the throws even.....it's his ability to avoid the negative play. Have you ever seen him just throw it away instead of taking the sack and risking the fumble, or turning it over with a pick? That adds up over the course of a game, or a season.
It's unrealistic to expect that Love or anybody else is going to give us that, at least not right away.
Given that, if I were the coach, I'd try to take the ball out of Love's hands as much as I could. We've got a loaded backfield and an offensive line that could be difficult to to stop. I could see 2/3 of our offensive plays going to the backs (that'd be about 44 runs and passes out of 66 plays.). Add in another 10 short targets to TEs or on WR screens and we;ve greatly diminished Love's opportunities to hurt the team with a mistake.
I'd say ultimately games are won with blocking and tackling. The team that blocks the best on offense usually wins, and many big plays are a result of ineffective tackling. In theory, if you had 10 guys who all get their man blocked, and one runner who can beat the last tackler, every play is a TD.
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 04:27 pm
EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!
I’ve never been able to articulate that like you did here, but our Packers are going to be in the 50 carries club. I’ll venture a guess we have at the very least 50 carries in 3 or more games this season.
Opposing defenses are going to get worn out, and the Packers passing game will open up completely.
It’s literally the formula AR should have embraced more.
Well said, Leatherhead!
Dr.Rodgers
June 20, 2021 at 03:22 pm
and then Love will meet Rodgers in the Super Bowl and lose 42-3.
jannesbjornson
June 19, 2021 at 07:26 pm
If you want him to be the man, you have to let him rip it. He's in year two and a one pick, not some tail-ender trying to impress the college cheerleaders in the summer session games.
BJP
June 19, 2021 at 11:42 am
Exactly, which explains why LaFleur desperately wants Aaron back. SMH
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 12:11 pm
I question the intent of his statement there as truth, or gamesmanship as an established stance in any possible trade dealings that may present?
Fubared
June 19, 2021 at 07:53 am
It's hard to say the pack org did wrong when the org has a mantra it follows: cheap ball. A lot of fans mistake draft and develop with, this guy was a late round pick or undrafted so his pay will reflect that.
This is a small market team, no deep pocket owners and the highest paid player in the game.
Love is the salary saver. That's what he was picked for. Cut an run with Rodgers at some point and Rodgers gets it.
nstewart1
June 19, 2021 at 08:09 am
The Packers are basically at the salary cap line every year. They have been giving very fair, market value contracts for years - very much including Rogers. This year they've managed to keep a great roster together, they are primed for a Super Bowl - but Rogers has some other agenda.
Coldworld
June 19, 2021 at 09:11 am
If Rodgers wants a guarantee it’s to ensure he remains on the team regardless of his standard of play. That’s not really a viable concept in the cap era. It means, essentially, that if you want me to play you must guarantee to pay me even if I can’t live up to it on the field.
If one thinks about it, that’s not a sane way to run a franchise. To request that requires putting player over team in a way that ought to give any FO pause for thought.
blondy45
June 19, 2021 at 08:30 am
Owners with deep pockets??? You do know there is this thing called the salary cap right? The front office has done pretty well drafting in the later stages of most drafts. Rodgers is the salary cap killer obviously. Rodgers gets it alright, is he in or is he out? It is still his choice. Rodgers and all his legacy has not helped the FA march to Green Bay. The Packers are a draft & develop team, with the exception of 2018 when they had cap money to spend. The front office would spend to upgrade the team if they could through Free Agency. You stated the Pack plays "cheap ball". Rodgers, Bakhtiari, Za'Darius Smith, Aaron Jones, Davante Adams, Adrian Amos, and Kenny Clark are all cheap guys right? Salary saver? That is the true meaning of draft & developing players on rookie contracts.
dobber
June 19, 2021 at 09:25 am
The NFL is a league of replacement. You sign and keep the guys who make your team go, and the guys who it makes sense to keep, and you let everyone else go and fill in with younger players. Under TT in particular there were a small number of vets the Packers let walk who did better somewhere else (Hyde, Hayward)...but most who were cut or allowed to walk washed out of the league within a year or two.
The "cheap ball" argument is a butt-hurt response to when the Packers let aging fan favorites walk, and it reflects virtually no understanding of modern salary cap football.. Some teams live at the salary floor year after year. That hasn't been the Packers.
epzenk
June 22, 2021 at 03:49 pm
Maybe cheap ball was played under Thompson, but to tag Gute with that label isn't fair at this point in his GM tenure b/c the facts are Gute and Ball have over spent the CAP and this was before COVID-19 started.
NickPerry
June 19, 2021 at 07:58 am
Leatherhead and I share the same thoughts on Adams. I'm sorry and I love Adams and what he does for the Packers, BUT if the Packers are going to pay a WR $25 million I'd like that WR to be able to run AWAY from defenders after the catch.
Adams has great hands and probably the best feet in the NFL. His ability to get off the line is amazing. But I've watched Adams get caught from behind to many times to give him a THIRD contract at that kind of money.
Coldworld
June 19, 2021 at 01:33 pm
Adams is sudden, but he has never been fast. The thing is opponents have to get hands on him. In a straight foot race he’s not your man.
JohnnyLogan
June 19, 2021 at 09:19 am
Yeah, they usually catch him about when he gets into the end zone.
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 03:50 pm
Right. I want to see what Davante & Love could do playing in this offense. Figure they would do very well together throughout the terms of a 2nd contract. Age 30 doesn’t carry the same meaning to me regarding Adams.
However, if DEN gives the Packers enough in return, I’d consider including him a no brainer. Jerry Jeudy, a #15 pick from 2020 could be a great developmental talent in this system.
I doubt Gutekunst wants to include him, or that DEN has offered enough for Davante to be included, and that might be the hold up.
There is a different kind of value that is rare in this case: Arguably the top QB in the NFL paired with arguably the top WR in the NFL? Not only that, but, paired WITH HIS TOP WR? They know each other’s thoughts with a look. There is value to that. Value DEN MUST PAY FOR, if they want them both.
I do think the Broncos are planning for this very trade now. Without it, they are likely last in their Division. Again. With this trade, instant contenders.
Surtain ll, Chubb, Jeudy & two R1s? Three R1s?
Since'61
June 19, 2021 at 07:17 pm
I’m with you gg, make the trade and get back all we can before it’s too late. Thanks, Since ‘61
Swisch
June 19, 2021 at 08:33 pm
I also think that Davante is probably going to be too expensive. We'd love to keep him for a few more seasons, but his price is likely going up dramatically just as his skills are likely to diminish.
At his age and position, Davante is about where Rodgers is at his age and position. They're just getting too pricey for being so risky.
Another factor is that although we have a lot of question marks at wide receiver, we seem to have a lot of good possibilities, as well.
If MVS and/or Lazard take another step upward next season, I'd rather go with a wide receiver on a second contract than on a third one.
Then there are all of the young guys who are mostly mysteries, especially our exciting rookie Amari Rodgers. I'm curious about these guys, including Begelton, and am hopeful at least one will pop onto the scene as starting caliber, perhaps even a star.
On a related note, I agree with those who generally prefer a star at left tackle to a star wide receiver. Whatever the offense, that left tackle is the rock. Even many blockers who excel at other positions on the line aren't able to handle the huge responsibility of left tackle.
As Coldworld seems to point out, Rodgers and Davante are probably going to decline in the not-too-distant future, anyway. Perhaps under exceptional circumstances, such as them giving the Packers hometown discounts, you may risk getting four more years out of both; but if they want to be at the top of the pay scale, it's time for them to move on.
It's not just the Packers making that decision; a big part of whether to keep an older star is based on his priorities.
As much as I like our Packers staying on until retirement, I understand why that may not happen in many cases, and I'm okay with it. My focus is on appreciating them for however long they are here.
I'd go out of my way to some extent with salary to show loyalty to a longtime Packer as far trying to keep him longer; but at some point it's just too hurtful to the team and the fans, and thus unfair.
Irish_Cheesehead
June 19, 2021 at 08:34 am
I know all the speculation makes great drama for off-season articles, but it might be interesting to look back at 2008. Did players refuse to re-sign with the Packers because they chose to go with an unproven Rodgers over Favre? Did free agents stay away from Green Bay like the plague? I don’t know the answers to these questions because I’m not a Packers beat writer plus I’m too lazy to do the research, but it might be a more interesting take rather than just continuing to stir the pro/anti Rodgers pot.
GregC
June 19, 2021 at 02:19 pm
Yeah, I don't remember the QB drama being a factor in resigning players when the Favre era ended. The Packers have been pretty well-regarded overall by players since the 90s. I don't think this changes the equation.
epzenk
June 22, 2021 at 03:50 pm
Exactly.
Since'61
June 19, 2021 at 08:52 am
Rodgers presence or absence affects every aspect of the team. He affects the offense and the defense. Obviously he makes the offense go but that also has an impact on the defense, especially when the Packers play with a lead and with Rodgers keeping drives alive the defense spends less time on the field.
Without Rodgers the reverse is likely to happen with Love or even Bortles as the QB. Teams will stack the box against the run and force Love to beat them with the pass. The result will be frequent 3 and outs and more picks. This will add stress to a defensive unit that is trying to learn a new defense under Barry.
Beyond that is the impact on FAs either remaining and/or choosing to play in Green Bay. That is a longer term issue which will depend upon the play of any future QB including Love.
The Packers may have more cap space without Rodgers but that doesn’t mean they will be able to utilize it effectively, especially if Green Bay becomes the NFLs Siberia once again.
At some point the Packers will need to deal with the post-Rodgers era, regrettably that time may be arriving sooner than anyone expected. Thanks, Since ‘61
Coldworld
June 19, 2021 at 06:56 pm
This Siberia drivel is just that. In the cap era players go where the money is, however poor the team, because it’s typically those teams that can pay. They may only have one or two chances at a big contract. At some point the pretense of balance crumbles when this kind of rubbish is trotted out.
Guam
June 19, 2021 at 09:34 pm
Agreed CW, this Green Bay is Siberia crap gets old. While Green Bay may not be the first choice of young guys who want the fast life, how many free agents might be family men who want a good place to live and raise their children, or outdoorsmen who like hunting, fishing, boating, snowmobiling, golfing, etc. etc. And how many professional athletes might enjoy the peace and quiet of a friendly and polite media versus being hunted by the photographers and bloggers associated with big city life. Green Bay may not be for everyone, but it may be preferred by a surprising number.
Johnblood27
June 19, 2021 at 02:21 pm
Yeah, Rodgers drives everything, like he did in '17 and '18... right into the crapper.
He is a great talent in a TEAM sport.
I never saw him catch his own pass... like BF did!
MLF is the architect of the '21 NFL MVP. AR was just the tool MLF used.
Please get over your hero worship, the GBP will compete when AR is gone, either this season or in the future. There is a lot of good young talent on the roster.
...and by the way, with all the "AR is all that" comments, the GBP haven't won a SB in 10 years. TEN FREAKIN YEARS of AR being the anointed one with all the opportunity in the world.
IT IS TIME! ...to move on.
Since'61
June 20, 2021 at 07:36 pm
I’ve been posting all all along that the Packers should make the trade for Rodgers ASAP.
It’s interesting that you mentioned 2017 and 2018 as the seasons Rodgers drove the offense into the ground. In 2017 Rodgers was injured in the 1st quarter of the 5th game of the season and the team was 4-0 when he went down, so how exactly did he drive the offense into the crapper if he wasn’t playing?
In 2018 he played the entire season on a broken leg and the team had an HC who had checked out and was fired during the season.
Yes, I’ve been a Rodgers fan since Day One. Why shouldn’t I be? And I’ll be a fan of whoever the next Packers QB is whether it’s Love or Bortles or whoever. Thanks, Since '61
Johnblood27
June 20, 2021 at 07:42 am
Thanks for your insults, I have always thought you were above that level of posting, I guess I am mistaken once again.
If YOU actually watched the games in 2017 and 2018 when Rodgers was in the game he was throwing passes to the first row in the stands or into the dirt at a receivers feet as often as he would throw to an actual receiver. He also absolutely refused to throw anywhere near a receiver that had a defender within 2 yards of him. All of these performance issues were craftfully wrapped around his "satts-mongering" so as not to damage his reputation all while undermining his coach and his stale system.
I was all for the McCarthy termination, but I certainly do not absolve Rodgers of his role in it. His performance in getting rid of McCarthy shows his true colors and is but one of the main reasons why I am fed up with him and just want my favorite team (for over 50 years) to move in another direction.
I haved lived through losing seasons before, I still hope before every game and I still enjoy the development of players as they learn their craft and how to win in the NFL. The 90's through today have been a great reward for the suffering through the 70's and 80's, I am most appreciative and also appreciate what Rodgers has contributed along the way. I just have a hard time rooting for his personality.
Since'61
June 20, 2021 at 09:37 am
Johnblood27, Thanks for taking the time to reply and clarifying your previous points. E-communications are efficient but often misinterpreted. When I read your comment about hero worship I took it as a knock which I felt was undeserved. When that happens I respond in kind.
I enjoy your posts and I was surprised by your comment. In any case I apologize for my comments and I regret having made them. Have a Happy Fathers Day and be well. Thanks, Since '61
porupack
June 20, 2021 at 10:45 pm
That's cool, 61.
FLPackfan
June 20, 2021 at 09:42 am
These are the same arguments that fans had when Favre left. There will probably be a short down turn in wins once Love is put in at the #1, same happened with Rodgers. Here is the difference with the Packer's situation and other teams like the Skins, Bears, and Jags, the Packers have talent on the team and a damn good staff to lead them, those others are a hot mess of confusion. Yes Bortles played for the Jags, they have never understood the importance of a solid Oline and when they hired coaches in the past it was like who can we get that had a real crappy record. I really believe that after the Hundley fail the front office decided they never wanted that kind of stink on the field again and drafted a guy they believe can step in when needed. That is why he was inactive last year when he had no off season training, he wasn't ready to be that guy. This year thanks to Mr. I don't need offseason time, Jordan is getting a bunch of the reps he missed last year and is setting up that timing the the WRs and RBs. The team survived the Favre departure because they had a plan, whether they forced it or no they had a plan, just like they do now.
greengold
June 20, 2021 at 09:59 am
Agree, FLPackFan! Well said. This was all planned. A part of procedure the Packers are establishing. While it may be a year earlier than planned, Jordan Love was the firmly decided on choice to lead us forward.
egbertsouse
June 19, 2021 at 09:03 am
I just love reading how there won’t be a big drop off from Rodgers to Love. I think Leatherhead is carrying that flag today. From the MVP to a rookie who has yet to throw a pass in the NFL? Nah, you’ll hardly be able to tell the difference.
Although I would like to see Rodgers traded, I’m not delusional enough to think there won’t be a huge drop off.
PhantomII
June 19, 2021 at 10:03 am
There was a big drop off from Brett to Aaron for the first couple years with a ridiculous WR assortment of players on the team. Love could have the same drop off with a huge WR deficit he is inheriting. ML schemes WR's/ TE's open and we have a good OL and running game. The defense is better. I think if the kid get's some confidence going we will be okay, but a drop off the same. From Love's highlights, he has talent. He has a good coach. Unfortunately we have a team full of good players ready to win the Championship and it is unlikely a Rook will take us to the show year 1. Of course, AR has not either so I'm okay with the change if it is the future. I'm confident this young man will get better as we move forward.
Coldworld
June 19, 2021 at 10:13 am
Of course there will be a drop off. It’s equally certain that Rodgers will decline at some point. The question is whether to dwell on what we thought was going to be reality or to start looking for the future Rodgers seems to be imposing.
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 02:37 pm
Hey egbertsouse, you don’t know either way. Neither do I. But, the choice in backing the team should they decide to go with Jordan Love isn’t without merit. I doubt anyone has said there will be no drop off, not even Leatherhead.
I think the bigger point is there may not be as great a drop off in team success as opposed to what others scream out loud all over the place, especially the media. Adam Schefter can go fuck himself.
1. LaFleur will be guiding him. He’s guided two QBs to MVPs. He knows what he’s doing.
2. He specifically chose Jordan Love as the Packers QB of the future to take over for AR, and to run his system. He and his coaches met with JL numerous times prior to the draft. He & Gutekunst knew exactly what they were doing when they selected Jordan Love.
3. LaFleur’s system is known to be run heavy, yet, we didn’t see that these last two years... why? The run heavy attack with JL at QB1 might actually produce better results.
4. Jordan Love had the strongest arm of his draft class. He is extremely accurate with good players around him in a system he knows, as evidenced by his 2018 season. This Packers team is STACKED with talent, everywhere.
egbertsouse, there might not be such a huge drop off in play. I expect there to be some, of course. We’ll all just have to see.
We don’t need Jordan Love to set passing records. All we need him to do is to help the Packers win.
blondy45
June 19, 2021 at 01:08 pm
Spot on greengold. I agree with your opinions which are backed up by facts and good common sense. Keep up the great work and continue to wave that Green Bay flag.
Difer
June 19, 2021 at 09:10 am
Agree with the article. Rodgers was able to lift the Packers offense to incredible heights. Regarding Adams's contract, he should demand full market value. As for the reasons leading to the Packers' dilemma, a belated note to Mark Murphy: "don't be the problem."
Leland
June 19, 2021 at 09:18 am
The FO has to balance salaries, injuries, talent and egos. I believe that if AR honored his contract that GB would pay him. I also believe he is well paid. Until he says what the problems are and what he wants, this is all on him.
JohnnyLogan
June 19, 2021 at 09:41 am
It's not about money. Rodgers either feels like he was slighted, in which case his ego is way too fragile, or it's about control, in which case he's playing power politics and thinks an NFL QB should have the same sway over his team as an NBA player does over his. It'll never happen. Too many other moving parts.
Rodgers has every right to be forthright with the team. He should be vocal if wants this or that, he's earned the right to say it, and forcibly. But...
What Brady did in asking Tampa to sign Gronk or any other player he wanted was subtle compared to this angry kicking childishness Rodgers is pulling. The FO may not have acquiesced to all your demands, may not even have told you their plans, but holding the entire fan base as well as the teammates you claim to love hostage to your demands, while you play ukelele in Hawaii, and do interviews wearing a man bun with that irritating passive aggressive smile is just too hard for the average Wisconsin Joe to swallow.
Those that want him back are frightened by the thought the Packers will descend into meaninglessness. The Packers will always have meaning to those who want to see their team fight, with or without the league's best QB. Rodgers isn't and never will be the symbol of the Packers. Lombardi claimed that title long ago. You remember how he left?... humbly, with sadness... and yet the Packers survived.
Trade him. Get a King's ransom. Let's play football, not footsies.
Fabio
June 19, 2021 at 03:00 pm
Mahomes stated that "You definitely want me to stay here as long as possible and as long as possible. I'm here" speaking of Tyrann Mathieu. So he's interfering with the FO and rightfully KC will cut PM because the Q has to think only about playing ..... LOL
Coldworld
June 19, 2021 at 06:52 pm
Repetition doesn’t validate your point. If KC happen to disagree at some point then we can determine if there is any relevance.
Fabio
June 21, 2021 at 02:58 am
Maybe it's the other way around .....
I just wanted to highlight that there are many Qs who, as many claim, want to influence the choices of the FO. Now the question is:
Will KC please Mahomes, or will he do the opposite of what he asks?
This is crucial to understanding whether AR is a monster doing things other Qs don't or is normal. But above all it is to be understood if the KC Managemente behaves like the FO Packers with its Q star
I apologize for the repetition, but it seems that nobody wants to touch the subject of how two different FOs will operate on the same issue
I promise not to be repetitive anymore.
Greetings Coldworld
EricinGB
June 19, 2021 at 09:32 am
Cory makes good points. Football is a game of matchups and leverage. Knowing where to attack the defense makes everyone better. Being able to drop the ball in where only the receiver can catch it maintains possession and moves the chains....comunication between elite QB and receiver after coming to the line of scrimage = elite teamwork...it's indefensable The Rodgers-Adams play illustrates how elite their conection is and how penny-wise and pound-foolish the Packers were to let Jordy Nelson's connection with Rodgers go...let's see, who was the #5 or #6 receicer who took Jody Nelson's place. How did that work out? BTW: the comentators who want to let Rodgers go or who think Adams is not special must be the same voices in Guty's ear to let Jordy go, and to prematurely move up in the first Roud to draft a 2nd round QB during a pandemic when it was known there would be an abbreviated pre-season....how did that work out last year? Name one source with NFL playing experience who thought that was a good decision vs every X NFL player who thought it was a mistake? BTW: Jordon Love is highly likable...no doubt a very fine person and team mate and a natural leader...this is not about Love, this is about where the team was with Rodgers and short changing a team poised to dominate last year, this year, next year and the year after next....and for what?
blondy45
June 19, 2021 at 12:50 pm
Jordy Nelson flamed out soon after he left Green Bay. Favre was never close to being a MVP after he finally was traded. Sitton and other O-line never were better than when they were Packers. Mike Daniels barely played after his departure. This is hind site for sure, because some Packers (Hyde-Hayward) played very well after leaving Green Bay.
The Packers did not short change their roster last year. Again, the # 1 scoring offense in the league with an improved Defense. If you do not draft in the top 10-12 in most drafts, those players taken later will usually need time to contribute. We shall soon see how the 2020 draft shakes out this year for the Pack.
Rodgers has created a division on the roster of the Packers not to mention their fan base. Players will not come out and speak their true feelings with the Rodgers situation. They must make their value as a Packer known by being the best they can be now & in the future. They do not need to make waves one way or another. The draft is generally for the future, not the immediate early timeline.
I continue to applaud the Front office for doing what is best for the Green Bay Packers, both now and especially the future. As another famous Rodgers (Kenny) sang so well: Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em. The Front office holds the cards, and will deal them when the time is right. The JOKER will be dealt for players with "Hearts", "Diamonds" in the rough, "Spades" who want to be dug in, and athletes who carry big "Clubs". I like what the Packer's hand looks like with the 89 cards they presently have been dealt IN CAMP!
epzenk
June 22, 2021 at 04:32 pm
EricInGB: Maybe Jordy stays at a reduced price tag, but come on. After Rodgers got hurt where was he? He went to the Raiders, did nothing, was offered a contract with the Seahawks the next year, declined and retired. Receivers No. 5 and 6 played on special teams and there was no way Jordy was doing that b/c it was beneath him, and if asked to a play on ST that would be considered by most Pack fans as spitting in his face which Packers fans would have scolded the FO for doing so. Those are hard calls the FO needs to make and you apparently disagree with, but facts are facts. It's better to cut a guy a year early versus a year late.
Jordan Love was ranked as one of the top three QBs in 2018 then had a bad year in 2019 when most of his offensive help was drafted or graduated. He's got a high ceiling, but also could be a bust: https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/jordan-love/PbA4nRzHfK.
When you draft at the end of the first round you won't find many starting QBs. Brady is the exception NOT the norm in pro-football drafting. Spoiler alert: Favre had the same write-up as Love when he was drafted in 1991, and Wolf gave up a first round pick for him. Packers Nation wanted Wolf fired immediately after that decision. Another dumb decision by the new Packers GM who apparently didn't learn anything from his predecessor, 'Tom Braatz' mistakes e.g. the drafting of Tony Mandarich.
Moving up to get Love was a waste when they could have drafted a defensive player or offensive player that would have helped them dominate is at best an over reaction and at worst, foolish b/c no one knows how either of those drafts picks would have performed or their impact (if any) they would have made. The general rule of thumb is you don't wait until you need a QB to draft one, if you think the kid has a chance you go get him. How many years did the Packers 'look for' their starting QB prior to Favre and Rodgers? Oh let me see: Scott Hunter, Jerry Taggy, John Hadl, Lynn Dickey, David Whitehurst, Randy Wright and Don Majkowski. I think I got them in the correct order of when they played for the Packers. Most Packers fans know only of Dickey and Majkowski and that's it. Why b/c the others were pretty bad, some of us lived through all those bad years. :(
Love hasn't played a down yet. I challenge you to do this. Give the kid a chance. And then if fails you can get on your soap box and scream to the mountain tops 'see I was right', the FO doesn't know what the heck they were doing when they drafted Love and wasted two valuable picks.
Here's a thought: Maybe Love won't have to play in the regular season and Rodgers does come back for one more season and hopefully he can lead the Packers to another Super Bowl victory. I think most of Packers Nation would agree with that sentiment.
In 2022 winning the Super Bowl would create a huge crap storm that would dwarf what is currently going on between Rodgers and the FO. But it'd be a good problem to have b/c they'd know what they have in Love at that point (from his pre-season performances) and maybe the salary cap situation they find themselves in NOW wouldn't be as bad. One can only hope b/c the rest is just SPECULATION until September 14, 2021. :)
PatrickGB
June 19, 2021 at 09:37 am
Adams remained the top WR when #12 went down to injury in the past. With 12 gone there is more money for the cap. But it might be best spent elsewhere.
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 09:48 am
Just trade Aaron Rodgers & Davante Adams to DEN for CB Patrick Surtain ll, DE Shelby Harris, WR Jerry Jeudy, plus two R1s, and be done with it...
CheesyTex
June 19, 2021 at 10:44 am
OK by me.
It does appear that one, if not both, have already departed GB. Certainly would make Pack younger.
porupack
June 21, 2021 at 06:27 am
Rught, follow the yellow brick road........to the emerald city.
greengold
June 21, 2021 at 07:57 am
Go on. Keep living in your dream world., that one where Aaron Rodgers comes back to play for the Packers after his scorched Earth routine. To do what? Win a Super Bowl? How? He can’t even get out of his own stat padding way to get into it...
The Packers are 0-8 in the last 10 years with opportunities to advance.
TarynsEyes
June 19, 2021 at 10:22 am
Have the masses forgot the words they spoke, often and loud, when Rodgers was to get a contract, it went like this, " PAY THE MAN" and the same is usually spoke, albeit softer, with others but spoke still.
The simple question for all this is, do you believe, with conviction, that the FO has done what was needed to get this team to the SB, less it being placed on Rodgers back yearly?
They have failed in FA, there is a continued reason why top FA's dismiss GB from the start as a place they'd love to play, they have failed for years to address the DL, they refused to get another WR after Adams break out, and opted for multiple at best 4's if on other teams roster, signed two TE's where one was old and the other a POS in every manner,
Hasn't the question of wasting the best years of Rodgers been at the forefront yearly? Now when it comes to a head and the FO called out publicly by Rodgers, all the previous is mysteriously but dramatically forgotten and the FO that had been seen as inadequate in fixing the issues is now heralded as the savior and can do no wrong and willing to caste Rodgers to the shit pile all in the name of LOVE.
Many say Rodgers has no leverage, but I think too many refuse to open their eyes again with this mindset, as they have for many seasons thinking this team was doing enough to win the final game, less be in it.
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 11:29 am
Fuck that.
All he had to do was run it in. Maybe hand off more. Exhibit a little more humility. Be more team oriented.
16 carries for GB RBs 2019 NFCC.
16 carries for GB RBs 2020 NFCC.
Nearly 50 passing attempts in each game. Can you say “Superman cape?” Football is a team sport. I saw this being problematic years before this recent fiasco, and I’m certain many others did too. Running the football successfully takes a real dedication, a willingness to put up with a yard, or a loss and a pile of dirt on a play, and a real stick to it attitude to help open it up, while opening up other aspects of your passing attack. It forces opposing defenses to play more honest, instead of lining up with their ears pinned back in pass rush 90% of the time.
Aaron Rodgers is not without fault in this.
No.
TarynsEyes
June 19, 2021 at 11:27 am
I agree but isn't this what was accepted when the yells of 'PAY THE MAN" loomed larger and louder. I do not deny the fails of Rodgers, but many deny the fails of the FO more which surely aided in the Rodgers we have now.
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 11:59 am
Yes. There were failings, and I’m not excusing them. Just pointing to the bigger picture in that the failings were shared. Many blind eyes were turned. No question.
For instance, how did Brian Gutekunst fail to sign the #1 FA DL in run stop, Mike Pennell in 2019? We all knew that was exactly what we needed. KC signed him instead and won the Super Bowl.
Just like how AR chose “pass” in the majority of his RPOs, or his bias in who he would throw to? Give his WR a chance to win a contested catch instead of throwing it away? Stat padding? We. Saw. All. Of. It.
Yes. He can throw a football. Doesn’t mean that is what LaFleur’s play or planned sequence might have called for. He was afforded many chances and opportunities to win out, and the team bent over backwards to give him more this season for another go.
Really, just felt a need to vent, and I appreciate your giving me a chance here to do so.
All this subversive BS has been a drain, and hasn’t helped the team one bit, like sound, straight, honest communication might have instead.
TarynsEyes
June 19, 2021 at 12:23 pm
"and the team bent over backward to give him more this season for another go."
Yes, the FO has done better, but it comes while they're kicking him out the door with the hope he'll give it to them before the drought of competition arrives, and which will be debated yearly.
"Really, just felt a need to vent, and I appreciate your giving me a chance here to do so."
No problem, It appears to be a calling of mine, and one I have and continue to enjoy employing. Though for some, it creates a great upheaval in their belief system of tranquillity.
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 01:21 pm
Ha! Yeah. I see both sides of the issue. What I cannot fathom are AR’s methods since his Draft Day 1 shit show started. I find them harmful to the team, which was his intent, I believe. It was all him. We know it. We’ve seen how he works.
But, he fucked with us, the fan base. We helped put him there with our endless support, and this has been painful for all of us who bleed green & gold when cut.
I’m not offended, I’m insulted, and extremely disappointed in his lack of professionalism and common courtesy for all of us who own season tickets, or who travel at great expense to go to that one game at Lambeau, or travel to/attend the away games, or buy the merchandise, or support NFL advertisers, and the game, making him what he is today.
Ironically, he disrespected “... the People!!!”
TarynsEyes
June 19, 2021 at 01:45 pm
"But, he fucked with us, the fan base. We helped put him there with our endless support, and this has been painful for all of us who bleed green & gold when cut."
Here is where I separate myself. I bleed red blood and not green and gold, even though metaphorically, and why I look at sports for what it is, a business in the business of entertainment and not an emotional investment. Too many take it as if Rodgers is screwing them, he isn't, and those who feel such, obviously ignore the ROI when players or FO do things that aren't entertaining or what you believed when purchasing your season tickets etc. Fans get screwed all the time when star players don't play and aren't injured and you aren't told until after the purchase of tickets. Pay to watch the team and who is or isn't playing will matter not and the only disappointment is if the team loses. Emotion for a player will make you lose control. Cheer for them and the team, but they are not family, they are business people doing what it takes, good or bad to make money. You are not in their thinking when negotiating a contract, because you don't get any of the money.
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 02:34 pm
That’s where we might separate ideologically on this. I simply attached the monetization aspect with the thought of the $ AR has attained, and this “aire” with which he has chosen to conduct himself.
The green & gold of it is my very favorite early memory of my father, as a 4 year old, him jumping up and down in front of our Admiral black & white TV watching the Packers win Super Bowl I.
I’ve knowingly bled green & gold since.
As for emotion? I kid you not, I felt as if a family member had passed with AR’s methods Draft Day 1. That’s some major fuckery, and I know I wasn’t the only one.
Just come forward and ask for a trade like a man. FFS.
Coldworld
June 19, 2021 at 01:49 pm
The “Football is a business” statement that Rodgers has referred to regularly is, in part, a euphemism for the belief that fans neither matter nor deserve to.
TarynsEyes
June 19, 2021 at 02:23 pm
When the fans allow/excuse things to happen in the name of winning, the league recognized and moved their business to where the fans don't matter while making fans believe they do. The success of the NFL isn't based on the fans, especially those in the seats, as baseball has proven with low attendance for many teams over 82 games at home, and the fact that football sells out for the 8 games played at home doesn't say fans matter, but that they only get 8 games in their city, and allows the prevarication to continue. Keep the naive hungry and they will see what you tell them, believe what you tell them, do what you tell them.
The NFL didn't decide to play games outside the USA for the fans here, they did so to make more money in other countries. How is losing a home game good for fans here, unless 7 is more than 8 and soon 6 more than 7? In the name of Globalism, you will lose all that was once yours. The NFL is going Global and with it goes your relevance as a fan here.
jurp
June 19, 2021 at 01:40 pm
Taryn, the FO DID PAY THE MAN. That man is now refusing to honor his contract, even though this is the best team we've had in years. This situation is all on Rodgers.
TarynsEyes
June 19, 2021 at 01:58 pm
Was there an agreement between Rodgers and the FO when he signed his last contract to the effect that Rodgers will be the unquestioned starter for its duration? I believe something to that effect was in place and the FO drafting Love in the manner that came to be infringed on that agreement. Maybe there wasn't, but something had to be in place for this to come about. I'm not saying yes or no but I'm not discarding anything from either side or accepting either side is totally right or wrong. No agreement is so pure that neither side can feel wronged at some point during its contractual time. Perhaps Rodgers is just a dick, and perhaps the FO is also.
Whatever the outcome, I will hope for an SB, but will not be blind for the sake of others who choose to be.
PatrickGB
June 19, 2021 at 02:18 pm
I don’t think this is all about money. It’s seems like it’s more of a control issue. Of course money is nice. Look at all the posters who have made tens of thousands of dollars working from home~
stockholder
June 19, 2021 at 06:45 pm
Tarynseyes nice comments. So many think Rodgers Fucked them. That isn't the case. It's Rodgers who got Fucked by the front office. People just can't see that. The Word "All-In" has everything to do with his contract. It's called commitment. Commitment to winning! Drafting a Qb #1. Showed it was about replacement. When the holes were the DL and ILB. And Gute avoided the DL in FA. (Much to everyone's surprise!) I'm sure Gute made the "writing on the wall comment" when he approach Rodger's to get under the cap. It's really easy to predict Rodger's response. If Go to hell didn't work. Trade me does.
porupack
June 21, 2021 at 08:13 am
I'll taking that kind of fucking any day. Oh, and is it stated in Rodgers contract that the FO has to fill DL and ILB positions with first round picks? What exactly does it mean to be commitment, and how would that look like in a Rodgers' contract. This is not even in the realm of definable, let alone logical, nor objectivity in the business world. Speculation and venting, perhaps. There there, you can find enough fans to agree and make you feel better, but probably irks you not to have CHTV agree consensus how the Gute defaulted Erin Rodgers.
Coldworld
June 19, 2021 at 07:03 pm
The contract is structured in a way that diametrically opposed the idea of a guarantee through its duration. I very much doubt that, we’re that the intent, that structure would have emerged, and if it was thought so by Rodgers, Rodgers should get a new agent because his negotiated the opposite.
porupack
June 21, 2021 at 08:06 am
Blind? Speaking opinions about whether a contractor abide by his contract can be done by both the blind and unblind.
Crankbait
June 20, 2021 at 07:15 am
And I partially blame the coaching staff for his faults you mention.
Just like with Favre..... they enabled their ego's to swell , to become selfish and carry the team on their shoulders instead of coaching them or surrounding them with players in the trenches.
dobber
June 19, 2021 at 10:31 am
The bottom line is that management signs players and plans other moves based on the availability of those players and their contracts. Some players are signed with the expectation that those deals will play out, while others are offered and signed, and management has no intention of paying out the duration of the deal.
Whatever the case, there's only so much planning you can do. Management always needs to be flexible: many here are management and know they can lose key employees at any time for a variety of reasons. Successful managers make shrewd adjustments. An injury or legal indiscretion could end a player's career immediately and leave your plans hanging. If anything, the Packers had plans for 2021...clearly they involved #12. I think you could argue that Bakhtiari's and Jones' plans included #12 at QB...but they also had to recognize that there was nothing in their deals that bound ARod to be there.
Adams will do what Adams wants to do. It's out of the Packers control, and out of our control. The Packers may have no plans to bring him back...I think that if they saw him as a key cog in their next 2-4 years, he'd have been extended by now. He's free to follow the money. If GB offers what he wants, he'll be back--ARod or no. If not, then on to plan B.
CheesyTex
June 19, 2021 at 11:08 am
The bottom line is indeed the bottom line, now more than ever due to Covid cap. No way any front office could plan for that, and #12 just realized he had them by the proverbial ying-yang.
As to resolution of #12 vs. Love: If #12 has not already burned his bridges, IMO that they should renegotiate Love now to sync with whatever timeline #12 would agree with.
madtowndan
June 19, 2021 at 11:04 am
It's often said that Rodgers is playing chess while others are playing checkers. Well, he and his agent were playing chess when his last contract was signed, and they failed to have a bishop protecting their queen when the other side made a move on their king. He signed the contract without guarantees for the later years. He and his agent knew the Packers MO fully well - always planning for the future. The Packers made a prudent move, planning for the time when Rodgers became unable to perform at a high level, and still had their bases covered if he did continue to play at or near MVP levels - by still having him under contract.
I have no doubt in my mind that the Packers drafted Love with the intent to use the same blueprint they used when they drafted Rodgers. Take a guy with excellent upside, and let him ride the bench for a few seasons learning from a master the whole time. With the added benefit that the master might be able to pull another SB out of his hat before he departed. Gutekunst has given him the surrounding cast to do just that, and a coach that can use that toolbox effectively.
Rodgers knows he's still capable and doesn't need to worry about Love beating him out of the starting role any time soon. His only real leverage is the fact that the Packers have a very good chance at snagging another Lombardi trophy in the next couple of seasons with him at the helm. But if he wanted those guaranteed years, he should have demanded them at contract time. He and his agent failed to negotiate those terms, and Rodgers settled for becoming, once-again, the highest-paid player in the league.
Apparently Rodgers doesn't believe the old adage that you can't have your cake and eat it too.
You can't blame either side in this game. The Packers have to protect themselves from guaranteeing a very large salary for an aging player who could be one injury away from the end of his career (or one season away from a serious loss of capability due to age). And Rodgers wants to protect himself from the very same things.
There has to be some middle ground, if each side would give a little. And both sides need to quit the sniping - Rodgers with his passive-aggressive remarks and actions (an "I'm Offended" t-shirt - really?), and Murphy's loose lips. Grow up already!
CheesyTex
June 19, 2021 at 11:14 am
Well said, Madtown Dan.
If they can get it settled, I'm hoping that they also extend Love's contract so they don't lose his potential.
JohnnyLogan
June 19, 2021 at 11:57 am
Management played the Sicilian Defense and Rodgers team thought they could attack the Queen's side but waited too long to castle. Since then Rodgers has been using his pawns (Kuhn, Jones) to protect his ass, but the wall is crumbling. He should ask for a draw to play again. If not, his King (and his reputation) will inevitably fall.
Packers0808
June 19, 2021 at 11:19 am
If Rodgers don't come back and Pack goes 50% or so in W_L there will be an exodus of free agents like you never saw before on a Packer team! Be ready for less than a mediocre team like we suffered through in the 70-80 and part of 90's! 76 year guy here who has been a Packer fan since 1958 so yup know what that streak is all about. Having less left on this end of life than the other end hope I won't see much of that! Doubt Rodgers will ever play another down of ball if Packers elect not to trade him!
jurp
June 19, 2021 at 01:45 pm
Yep, like the exodus of free agents in 2008 and 2009.
Oh wait, that didn't happen.
Coldworld
June 19, 2021 at 01:54 pm
The only reason for an exodus would be if the team decided to rebuild around the new reality. Football players don’t often give up money for emotion. If they did JJ Watt might be here.
Packers0808
June 19, 2021 at 06:11 pm
If Rodgers doesn't come back, what is giving up 30 million+ if not emotion!?
Coldworld
June 19, 2021 at 07:06 pm
Ask him. He is something of a special case it seems.
jannesbjornson
June 19, 2021 at 02:12 pm
They knew Rodgers was better or as good as Favre when he directed the team in the Dallas game in '07.
If Rodgers started the 2007 NFC CH game they would have won, using his ability to move out of the pocket and create the first downs with his feet. We don't know how Love will perform in big games. TBD.
Coldworld
June 19, 2021 at 07:10 pm
We didn’t know, we saw signs of hope. I remember that very well. He wasn’t that good the first year he started either, but he showed signs and had spells when he looked the real deal. After that I’d still say he continued to exceed expectations. It’s not true it was a certainty and people were confident Rodgers would be close to as good as Favre.
Packers0808
June 19, 2021 at 06:13 pm
This not a decade ago, take the present and why for instance is Rodgers pulling this crazy stunt,, it is called EMOTION and many will follow knowing Super Bowl door closed IF he leaves!
Coldworld
June 19, 2021 at 07:10 pm
No they won’t.
Packers0808
June 19, 2021 at 09:17 pm
Adams for instance already said he is gone if Rodgers gone!
epzenk
June 22, 2021 at 04:46 pm
This isn't the 1970s. Another Rodgers, Favre, White etc.., will come along, they always do, it just might take a while to find them. Money talks so players will come to Green Bay. You can take that to the bank.
Alberta_Packer
June 19, 2021 at 02:46 pm
One aspect that is relatively easy to quantify Rodgers value to the team is his salary - which has the biggest cap hit among NFL players under contract for the 2021 season. The affect on the team is two-fold:
1. it's created a keystone cops type of frenetic re-structuring of players contracts this year (save Rodgers) in order to accommodate Rodgers contract -which will be a millstone to any future team(s).
2. it's prevented the Packers from signing any significant free agents this year - to help better the team.
In short, the Packers have had to rob the future - to pay the present. And the day of reckoning will soon be upon the Packers - in the form of a (quantifiable) financial tsunami - all triggered by the Rodgers salary.
As an additional thought - it is really the CBA that should be taken to task - as it has typically underpaid younger players and overpaid older ones - thereby creating a 2 class structure - with the absence of a 'middle' class (just like in real life).
fastmoving
June 20, 2021 at 07:37 am
The football part is right,
But in real life, we have a big middle class. In the smart and strong states like CA or NY for sure. In the unamerican GOP shit holes like TX or FL you may be right, there are just a couple of rich ones who live on the working rest. But thats only a small part of america and most people think it even does not belong to AMERICA.
Difer
June 19, 2021 at 12:13 pm
A lot of comments argue that the Pack should trade Rodgers. That would be the logical solution. But Murphy says "no trade". Rodgers no doubt has weighed his available options and will move on, whatever happens. All Murphy is doing is forfeiting possible valuable additions to the Packers' lineup just to spite Rodgers by forcing him to retire. Or maybe he feels that whatever money he recoups by the way of fines or salary/bonus forfeitures is more important than improving what remains of the team's lineup. Either way, Packer fans, the ones who care about winning, get screwed.
fastmoving
June 20, 2021 at 07:30 am
BS.......the fans who care dont get screwed at all. If he come back its good but we also would like to start over with Love.
We just cant loose either way........beautifull mistery
Archie
June 20, 2021 at 12:03 pm
"....All Murphy is doing is forfeiting possible valuable additions to the Packers' lineup just to spite Rodgers by forcing him to retire....."
Yep, pretty stupid, eh?
Rodgers knows he has Murphy where he wants him. If Murphy clings to the above strategy, he will be fired not long thereafter. Rodgers wants to bring down the current organization i.e., no QB ready to lead them, a superstar WR that won't resign because of this, and a well paid All-pro OT that will be doing mostly run blocking while MLF uses Love as a game manager. And people will say, how did they lose AR and Tae and manage to get nothing in return. Murphy will have to pay for that sin.
The new Packers President will immediately order Gutey to get what he can for Rodgers in a trade, which, of course, will be much less than they could have gotten for him now.
epzenk
June 22, 2021 at 04:48 pm
Murphy won't trade him now b/c it's too late. If he waits until after the 2021 season, he gets more value trading Rodgers and at that time Love should have played a lot so Muprgy will know how good or bad Love is.
Packerpasty
June 19, 2021 at 12:28 pm
hey Cory you seem to have taken the liberty to slightly change what Adams said, perhaps it doesn't mean much but perhaps it changes his statement slightly...heres what Adams said..."I got your back" not "I want you back".....
""So if there's ever a wonder if he has lost a teammate or something because all this come out, he knows where I stand. I'll stand on a (expletive) — excuse me — I'll stand on a mountain and scream on the mountaintop that I got his back."
little big different meaning huh??
Roadrunner23
June 19, 2021 at 12:58 pm
Rogers isn’t going anywhere, The packers aren’t going to set that precedent. They will let him sit if they have to. He may miss most of training camp, but guaranteed he will play for the Packers this season.
blondy45
June 19, 2021 at 01:17 pm
If Rodgers had no ego problem I would agree with you nostradanus. Unfortunately, there is a problem. If he can swallow his pride, and that is a big IF, he will play this year for the Pack. IMO he sits, stews, and gets traded come Spring 2022. It is still and has been only Rodger's choice, In or OUT. Commit or sit!
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 01:34 pm
Hey nostradanus, you might be onto something there, but the Packers might take it to another level. They might make him sit, no matter what.
Maybe JL does well enough early that they stick with him, while guarding from potential injury with AR with an eye towards trading him in 2022.
Just a possibility I thought I’d throw out there.
jurp
June 19, 2021 at 01:50 pm
I find it difficult to imagine AR actually sitting on the bench while watching Love start at QB. Sitting him would put AR in a quandary though - retire in high dudgeon and lose all that money, or sit with passive-aggressive behavior and lose face (in his mind).
Personally, I think a non-starting AR would quickly become a huge distraction and a cancer in the locker room.
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 04:47 pm
Jurp, you know I don’t want that either.
Just saying, it is a possibility, especially if MLF is getting what he wants on the field, and he’s successful with JL at QB. Why would any HC stop that? If the kid is doing exactly what LaFleur wants, and he stacks wins?
This is the gamble AR chose. It’s a possibility Gutekunst decides to sit him for 1 year, to protect him from possible injury prior to a 2022 trade.
epzenk
June 22, 2021 at 04:52 pm
Agreed. He'll sit out all of pre-season so Love can play in the pre-season games and then show up the week prior to the New Orleans game b/c Rodgers doesn't need to practice much.
greengold
June 19, 2021 at 01:36 pm
Cory, did you clear this article with JerseyAl?
Swisch
June 19, 2021 at 03:43 pm
Aaron Rodgers is truly one of the great quarterbacks of all time, and I'd really like him back. I think even now we can win a Super Bowl this season if he returns soon with a good mindset, and rallies around him teammates and fans.
However, there are concerns about Rodgers even on the field.
Against the Bucs in the regular season last year, when the opponent gained a momentum fast and furious in the first half, and the Packers were reeling, it seems Rodgers may have panicked. We weren't that far behind on the scoreboard. However, instead of calmly and calculatedly trying to outmaneuver the Bucs ferocious defense, it seems Rodgers kept forcing the ball downfield, with poor results. The Packers never made up ground, and were actually blown out.
Then in the huge playoff rematch against the Bucs, Rodgers led an impressive comeback in the second half; but late in the game the offense faltered, and fell short of ever tying the score.
In the last two or three possessions when the Packers offense came up mostly empty, was Rodgers expertly reading the formidable Bucs defense to detect weak spots? Was he patiently mixing up the kind of plays he called to keep them off balance? Did he call enough draws, quick passes, quarterback rollouts to the right, and other savvy strategies to outmaneuver the fierce onrush.
Finally, was Rodgers working with his head coach in calling plays, or subtly undermining him?
I truly don't know, but I would like more knowledgeable fans who can break down games to weigh in on these two -- whether Rodgers really showed veteran leadership as far as poise and patience and processing.
With Rodgers having lost his last four NFC Championship Games, it's an even bigger concern.
Perhaps Rodgers has performed wonderfully in big games under the circumstances, pretty much getting as much out of the offense as possible; then again, maybe he has faltered more or less under the withering pressure of physically punishing defenses (the 2011 Giants, for example, and at least a couple of games over the years against the 49ers).
Whatever the outcome of such an evaluation, it would be a great opportunity this season for Rodgers to get another Super Bowl ring. He has an abundance of talent around him on offense, and what seems to be an ascending defense. He could use all the lessons he's learned over the years to get the Packers over the top in those most demanding of moments against the elite teams of the NFL.
What a great way that would be for Rodgers to finish his career as a Packer! Even if the team fell short, an all out effort in which he worked fully with coaches and teammates, and practiced his craft as a quarterback to the best of his ability physically and mentally -- would be truly satisfying for him, as well as teammates, coaches, and fans.
If Rodgers held a presser this week to say he was overly sensitive and got carried away with himself: that he was truly sorry to the coaches, teammates, fans, even the front office; that he still has some concerns about how the front office has handled things over time, but that he overreacted -- well, I think he would be forgiven and welcomed back with open arms all around.
Tell us please, Aaron, that you're ready to focus on your role as quarterback without getting overly involved with personnel and coaching decisions. Tell us you're all in for one last glorious endeavor to win a Super Bowl with the Packers. No guarantees about the results are necessary, just a stated and sincere resolve of total commitment.
Then you can ride off into the sunset a happy man, with the audience in hearty applause. It's a scene we all could cherish for a lifetime.
fastmoving
June 20, 2021 at 07:23 am
It's hard to quantify how valuable Rodgers is to the Packers. Like with every single thing or person in life. With just about everything.
But if these stuff keeps working, why not...........
greengold
June 20, 2021 at 08:18 am
Big shoutout to all of my friends here who are Dads! Happy Father’s Day, fellas!!!
MTmind
June 20, 2021 at 09:46 am
To whom it matters, the author of this article uses “whom” incorrectly in the first sentence.
Tell me why I’m wrong (I’m not, so give it your best shot).
99% of you don’t care and will be agitated by my comment, so this is directed at the 1% who might find it to be an interesting observation.