Packers: Aaron Rodgers’ absence proves he’s still dug in
By Parker Moes
As first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was not at the team’s mandatory minicamp, which started Tuesday morning.
For Rodgers, who already took a punch to his earnings by skipping out on voluntary OTAs ($500,000 workout bonus), a soon-to-be $93,085 fine for not attending mandatory minicamp could follow.
One tidbit of info from Schefter though that was interesting was the fact that Green Bay could waive the fine(s), which if the reports of a possible extension in the works are true, would make sense.
The organization has said on multiple occasions that they have no plans on trading the three-time MVP and Super Bowl-winning veteran quarterback. With GM Brian Gutekunst coming out after the 2021 draft addressing Jordan Love’s development by saying he has “a long way to go”, it doesn’t bode well for them if they plan on using Love in the immediate future at quarterback.
With the season Rodgers had in 2020, why would they want to trade him and put all their eggs in one basket by starting a second-year player at quarterback? It would be very difficult to understand the logic behind doing so.
Simply put, Aaron Rodgers has the best chance at succeeding with the Packers, no other quarterback-needy team comes close to the all-around talent level Green Bay has. Once the regular season begins, let’s hope things are resolved and 12 is under center, if not — things could become very ugly for the franchise as a whole.
Green Bay knows it can’t afford to lose Rodgers but with the way they handled the drafting of Love, it’s easy to understand the frustration on Rodgers’ part. He’s carried the franchise for the past decade plus, so why go and draft his successor this early?
After the season he had in response to the drafting of Love, it’s clear that Rodgers is showing little to no decline in his level of play. It’s time for the Packers to come to their senses and come to a middle ground in relation to what his wants/needs are as the cornerstone of the organization currently. Otherwise, things could become ugly — both on the field and off.