Packers: Jake Kumerow release ‘death knell’ in Aaron Rodgers relationship

Aaron Rodgers has dominated the headlines in recent days as his future with the Green Bay Packers seems very much up in the air.

It’s completely understandable if Rodgers is frustrated with the Packers’ lack of commitment to him moving forward, or their decision to trade up for his replacement last April.

However, one thing that will surprise many is how Jake Kumerow’s release last summer could’ve played a role in this. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Packers cutting Kumerow after he had praised him was “a little bit of a death knell” in the relationship.

“Rodgers I’m told also wanted to be more involved in some of the personnel decisions,” Rapoport said on NFL Network.

“This is crazy but it does seem like the one thing that drove Rodgers nuts was when the organization released Jake Kumerow just a day after he praised him publicly.”

Last September, Rodgers had said Kumerow was a “lock” to make the roster.

Rewind to November around the time of the trade deadline and we can get a sense of some of that frustration from Rodgers.

“I truly understand my role,” Rodgers said, according to Rob Reischel of Forbes. “I’m not going to stomp for anybody, last time I stomped for a player he ended up going to Buffalo.”

While it’s understandable why Rodgers would be frustrated — Kumerow was a receiver he liked who had earned his trust — the Packers made a call based on who they felt best fit the 53-man roster.

And to their defense, Kumerow hardly dominated with the Buffalo Bills. He caught a total of one pass in the 2020 season. It’s also not like he’d had a ton of success prior to that in Green Bay.

Without Kumerow, the Packers still went onto lead the league in scoring, the offense dominated, and Rodgers won a third MVP.

I get it. It’s more than just his production but rather the fact Rodgers went to bat for a receiver he had faith in, only for the team to release him soon after.

But Rodgers isn’t the GM. Brian Gutekunst’s job is to do what he feels is best for the football team. And this wasn’t Jordy Nelson in his prime being released.

What are your thoughts?