Aaron Rodgers Opens Up About Issues With Packers in Shockingly Honest Press Conference
By Liam McKeone
After a very drawn-out and dramatic saga, the Green Bay Packers have made amends with Aaron Rodgers. The organization agreed to void the final year of Rodgers' contract in 2023 and, from the sounds of it, essentially promised to trade him next offseason if he's still displeased with how things are going. Rodgers showed up to the start of training camp yesterday looking very much like a man who didn't have a care in the world.
The thing is, we the people still don't have a complete understanding of what the problem actually was. It wasn't money-related. It clearly wasn't a "trade me or I'll retire" ultimatum. There were rumblings that Rodgers was unhappy with the way the franchise was run by Brian Gutekunst, but there wasn't anything particularly substantive. What, exactly, caused all this?
Rodgers was asked just that during his first press conference of the season. He did not hold back and gave a very explanatory and thorough breakdown of why he was unhappy with the Packers and what the future holds. He spoke at length on wanting some kind of input on important personnel decisions (like the hiring of Matt LaFleur and the unceremonious release of certain veterans) and his impression that he was a "lame-duck" in the eyes of an organization that wasn't committed to him past next year.
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) July 28, 2021
Aaron Rodgers: "This wasn't a Draft day thing. It started with a conversation in February. I just expressed my desire to be involved in conversations directly affecting my job."
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 28, 2021
Aaron Rodgers opening up about what transpired this offseason.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) July 28, 2021
Basically:
He’s been disappointed by letting veterans leave or releasing them.
Not having his voice heard when it came to player acquisitions/helping recruit free agents.
Not wanting to be a lame-duck QB in ‘21 pic.twitter.com/GRkeOhb84t
"I think we can all understand, Green Bay isn't a huge vacation destination, people are coming here to play with me, to play with our team and knowing they can win a championship here"pic.twitter.com/MUiGm06ecS
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 28, 2021
Aaron Rodgers cites the decision to cut Jake Kumerow last year as an example of where he'd like to have been consulted: "Maybe run it by me and I can change your mind."
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 28, 2021
Rodgers says Kumerow was the second best receiver in training camp last year.
Rodgers stressed: “I’m not a victim, I want to reiterate that. I’ve been paid a ton of money. It’s a business .. It’s a tough business.’ https://t.co/Il4PLtIAIm
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) July 28, 2021
Rodgers on his silence this offseason: "I love this city. I love this organization. I believe the right way to do it was to have conversations with (the org) ... behind closed doors. I didn't want to get into a public argument with an organization I care a lot about." #Packers
— Wes Hodkiewicz (@WesHod) July 28, 2021
Asked Rodgers how he'd describe his relationship with Brian Gutekunst today: "I would say that today it's professional at this point." He says at no point this offseason did he request Gutekunst be removed from his job.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) July 28, 2021
Aaron Rodgers asked if he wants to be here: "I do. I love my teammates, I love the city, I love my coaches. It's fun to be back here."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) July 28, 2021
Aaron Rodgers on Packers front office:
— Dan Molloy (@DanMolloyTV) July 28, 2021
"The organization looks at me and my job is just to play... The way I lead, the way I conduct myself in the community, it *should* tie myself to a little bit more input... I'm not asking for anything other great QBs have not gotten." pic.twitter.com/YmhJ3Kjs2d
Aaron Rodgers says he was angry some “high character”outgoing veterans were disrespected by low ball offers or no offers at all pic.twitter.com/Cf8t0rF7g9
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) July 28, 2021
Aaron Rodgers says he tried to give his input involving free agents but was ignored by the front office pic.twitter.com/KCD1UQMuDl
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) July 28, 2021
Aaron Rodgers?
— Michael McQuaid (@Michael_NFL) July 28, 2021
Box Office. pic.twitter.com/iZUzA4mtwE
#Packers Rodgers says in his convos with team, there was no commitment or mention of anything past 2021 “which made me feel like I wasn’t in their future plans.” Recognizes business aspect but “at the same time, I’m still competitive.”
— Rachel Hopmayer (@rachelhopmayer) July 28, 2021
Rodgers asked if he can see himself finishing career with #Packers if changes he's requested are made: "I'm definitely not closing the door to anything. I'm always optimistic, and the ability to change, I would never want anybody to give up on me."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) July 28, 2021
Aaron Rodgers references being able to play his 17th season with the #Packers.
— Lily Zhao (@LilySZhao) July 28, 2021
On being the quarterback in Green Bay: "Still an honor. Still something I'm very proud of."
So ... yeah. Wow. Rodgers just made up for the months of silence by spilling all the beans in one entirely unfiltered and candid press conference. He came locked and loaded with names and details. I don't think anyone expected him to be quite this open.
I will say it doesn't really sound like these issues were resolved. They were certainly heard, and the Packers undoubtedly promised to be better, but he wouldn't have unloaded like this if everything was fine and dandy. Then again, it's impossible to find a quick and easy solution to discontent that has been building for years.
Rodgers will suit up in that familiar uniform next season. But there's still a lot to be worked out between him and Green Bay.