General manager Brian Gutekunst spoke to reporters at the NFL Combine in Indy on Tuesday, and while he answered numerous questions about Aaron Rodgers, he shed very little light on what’s going to happen with the four-time MVP quarterback.
The following are my three biggest takeaways from this morning’s Q&A as I do my very best to translate Gutespeak into English:
1) It was kind of interesting that Gutekunst wouldn’t say he wanted Rodgers back – something he did the past couple of offseasons – but I wouldn’t read too much into his reluctance to commit to the 39-year-old future Hall of Famer. That’s because, unlike 2021 and 2022, there’s a real chance Love will be under center in September. Gutekunst wouldn’t want anybody to think the only reason is that his preferred choice (Rodgers) either retired or asked for a trade. By answering the way he did, Gutekunst shrewdly allows either player to be seen as the one he really wanted starting at quarterback in 2023.
2) Gutekunst said he’s been in constant communication with Love since the end of the season. He also said he believes the former Utah State star is ready to be a starter. Both statements make me think Love won’t be holding a clipboard in Green Bay in 2023. He’ll either be the team’s starter or be traded before next month’s draft. What could the Packers get for someone who’s thrown only 83 passes in his three-year career? I could see a franchise needing a QB – and there are quite a few of them – offering the Packers a fourth-round pick in 2023 and a conditional pick in 2024 based on playing time.
3) I don’t doubt for a second that Gutekunst wants Love to be the Packers quarterback next season and deeply regrets giving Rodgers an extension last March that pretty much takes the decision out of his hands. Gutekunst was around in 2008 and seems to be stealing a page out of Ted Thompson’s playbook by basically ignoring Rodgers. His predecessor did that with Brett Favre, which was a big reason the Hall of Famer (very briefly) retired. I seriously doubt Rodgers will decide to hang up his cleats, but by not begging him to return, perhaps he’ll get the hint and either request or accept a trade.
After listening to Gutekunst, I feel the same way today as when the regular season ended 50 days ago – this could go either way. The Packers seem to want to move on from Rodgers, but they can’t force him to accept a trade, so if he’s determined to be the QB in 2023, he’ll be the QB in 2023. All Gutekunst can do now is stay patient and hope the player he gave $110 million in guaranteed money to a year ago will decide he’s OK cashing that enormous paycheck in a new location.
I still wonder why Rodgers got that massive deal last year. There didn’t appear to be any reason to do it at the time from management perspective. It’ll never happen, but the behind the scenes stuff at Packer HQ would make for a tremendous tv series.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Love will be the starting QB next season, but I’m not getting my hopes up. Who knows what Rodgers wants? As Mark Murphy tactfully said a few years ago, he’s a complicated fellow.
Outside of the year in which Gutekunst dropped back in round 1 and acquired an additional 1st rounder along with the big 4 free agent signings to shore up a the team for a Super Bowl run I’ve been unimpressed with him. I’ll be watching closely to see what type of GM he is once the albatross( Rodgers) which he helped create has moved on.
There is no way in my mind Rodgers retires after all he fought to gain the last few seasons both money and voice wise. Rodgers isn’t dumb and probably is playing the retirement tactic to damage potential trade possibilities in the event they try to push him out the door. Who wants to trade for a 1 year rental? After all that was given and said about Rodgers the last few years you can bet the GM doesn’t want to look bad throughout the league and with fans if he decided to go in another direction. Rodgers is once again calling the shots at least until they sit down and talk. Rodgers I think wants to be back and the Packers probably want to move on for many reasons. We shall see if the Gm has the guts follow through.
I’m a huge fan of Rodgers but have grown tired of him running the time clock down to the last second, wasting timeouts, passing up the easy 3rd down conversion pass, holding onto the ball for bigger plays, zeroing in on one receiver, lack of leadership on the field by his showing disgust of players or play calling, poor mechanics, not buying into an the offensive scheme of the coach and on and on. I still think he can play but a change to a team with a coach he respects would do him well. I would be happy for him if he won a Super Bowl but the Packers need to move on even if Love proves not to be the answer.
Although I still believe the primary purpose of Rodgers’ contract is to force negotiation every year, it gives Rodgers a lot of clout. If GB doesn’t negotiate, Rodgers receives a huge amount of money. If GB wants to trade Rodgers without his agreement, Rodgers receives a huge amount of money. If GB cuts Rodgers, he receives a huge amount of money.
If Rodgers wants to come back, GB is stuck with Rodgers. But Rodgers may re-negotiate the contract.
It seems GB needs to convince Rodgers that he would do better elsewhere.
Mark Murphy might be good at business dealings but in regards to football he’s out of his depth. Gutey isn’t a good GM, Lafleur isn’t an NFL head coach and they’ve allowed Rodgers to take them right back to where Favre had them 15 years ago. It’s an abomination and should get all of them fired. But unfortunately that’s not going to happen. No stones, and without a set hard choices are difficult to make… if not impossible. They gave Rodgers two contract extensions when neither was due or necessary. They’ve allowed Rodgers to become bigger than the team. To watch a podcast and listen to our supposed leader talk about wiping his arse once, twice or not at all was too much. Then his stats, the dude is selfish and has no idea how much of an ass he’s become. I just don’t get it because none of this is necessary. As for this will he or won’t he nonsense goes I expect him to play. Because he’s not walking away from 59 million dollars. I honestly believe he’ll try and come back to the Packers. However, just like with Brett it’s time to tell one Aaron Charles Rodgers that the train has left the station. Life’s tough in the city Bra, so grow a set and go play with the Jets or whomever and let’s us give Jordan a chance. At some point the bandaid has to come off, it just seems like the right time.