The recently traded New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers had some concerning things to say about his former team and former GM Brian Gutekunst. Not surprising at this point but certainly not something The Green Bay Packers franchise wants to see.
Long Time Coming
Dating back to the drafting of Jordan Love in 2020 it was clear the relationship between Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ front office was degrading. Still, with recent comments released by The Athletic, it is clear it unfolded much quicker than the point of Aaron Rodgers being traded on April 24th of this year.
As reported, Rodgers’s agent demanded a firing of Brian Gutekunst or a trade of Aaron Rodgers soon after the 31-26 NFC Championship loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Buccaneers in 2021. After that didn’t transpire Rodgers decided to play through two more disappointing seasons before the darkness retreat and Pat McAfee show events leading up to his trade.
Davante Adams Situation
In between the 2021 demand and the 2023 trade of Rodgers, the most talented receiver in the NFL was traded due to a contract dispute. Rodgers told The Athletic about the situation
“They offered him less money than Christian Kirk ($18 million per year) and (Adams) is going, ‘Are you serious right now? I’m the best receiver in the league, and you’re gonna offer me less than Christian Kirk?” Rodgers said. “With all due respect, he’s not on Davante’s level.”
It is important to note that the Packers were under extreme cap strain at the time and ultimately matched the final offer Devante Adams accepted with the Las Vegas Raiders. On the face looks disrespectful to Davante Adams, and it may be, but given the context of competing for championships, it is not a black-and-white situation.
Aaron Rodgers vs Gutekunst- The Neverending Feud
The back and forth between Rodgers and Gutekunst has been entertaining, but at times it feels like particularly Rodgers is simply doing too much. Rodgers said about Gute “you didn’t like the fact that we didn’t communicate all the time. Like, listen, I talk to the people that I like.”
This is a tasteless quote to come from Rodgers. The idea that he complained for so long about having more sway in the team’s direction, yet clearly had no interest in garnering a relationship with the GM rings poorly for me. In a business, like the NFL, you cannot avoid someone you personally don’t like. Although it should have been a given that Rodgers earned major sway in roster decisions given his accomplishments with the team.
Give it up
For so long the Packers were the focal point of off-season discussion due to Brian Gutekunst and the Packers front office butting heads with Aaron Rodgers. Now the trade has been finalized, it is time to end it. It confuses me why any side of the Aaron Rodgers trade is continuing the fanning of the flame, the drama should have dried with the ink.
