Albert Breer revealed the most Aaron Rodgers tidbit in Packers-Jets trade
Aaron Rodgers must've had good cell service when the New York Jets called, just not the Green Bay Packers, apparently.
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst spoke earlier this offseason about his failed attempts to get hold of Rodgers, saying he had tried to get in touch "many times."
Rodgers blamed a lack of cell service during his introductory press conference with the Jets, a hilariously bad dog-ate-my-homework excuse from the four-time MVP.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated shed some light on the details of the Packers-Jets trade negotiations.
He wrote about how the Packers needed to figure out their plan moving forward. Breer noted that with the Packers' confidence in Jordan Love growing, they had to decide whether to stick with Rodgers or move on. Rodgers, meanwhile, was thinking about his future. What they needed was a conversation.
"The problem, from there, was getting time with the quarterback," Breer wrote.
Albert Breer sheds light on Aaron Rodgers conversation in Packers-Jets trade talks
Maybe Rodgers' cell service was particularly bad in late January.
According to Breer, Gutekunst was hoping to have a meeting with Rodgers while he was in Los Angeles earlier this year.
"The two set up a Wednesday meeting in Los Angeles in late January while Gutekunst was in town for the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. That one didn't happen. Gutekunst had to go to Las Vegas the next day for the East-West Shrine Bowl, and the idea that he could return from there to California to meet Rodgers was broached. But that didn't happen, either, making the exit meeting the last time they'd talked."
- Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated
Breer would add that Gutekunst communicated with Rodgers' agent David Dunn, and not Rodgers himself, throughout the process.
It would appear the Jets had no such issue getting hold of Rodgers, as they met with him in California after the Packers granted permission, eventually leading to the trade.
What this shows is how both sides needed the split to happen. If Rodgers wanted to keep playing, it almost had to be somewhere other than Green Bay. The Packers needed to fix their salary cap after a couple of seasons of going all-in. Rodgers was never going to get a team like he did in 2020 or 2021 by staying in Green Bay.
Elsewhere, he gets a far better opportunity. The Jets had the No. 4-ranked defense last season and had the cap space to make offensive additions like Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb this spring.
Only Rodgers knows for sure, but it's hard to imagine a scenario where he would've returned to Green Bay this season, and his '90% retired' comments on the Pat McAfee Show only add to that.
The Packers needed to make the change, too. They take on a $40 million dead cap hit this year but then get Rodgers' massive contract off the books. Jordan Love is ready to play, and he now gets that opportunity without any distractions about Rodgers' future.
It always seemed the Packers and Rodgers were headed for a messy breakup from the moment the team traded up for Love in 2020.
Breer's report on the lack of communication only further highlights the issues. Thankfully, both sides got what they wanted this offseason and can move on.