Standoff between Aaron Rodgers, Packers is getting messier by the day
Aaron Rodgers reportedly has no interest in taking another snap as quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, but the Packers say they aren't going to trade the NFL MVP.
Stuck between a rock and hard place, something has to give eventually. The question is who will break: Rodgers or the Pack? Rodgers has been radio silent, but each day that passes brings added drama to the situation. Here's how this week has unfolded:
Monday: Rodgers likes Davante Adams' tweet
"Gotta appreciate what u got while ya got it!" Adams tweeted Monday.
Was Adams' tweet about Rodgers? Maybe, maybe not, but the ambiguity and cryptic nature of the tweet, that Rodgers himself liked, nonetheless added fuel to the fire of discontent in Green Bay.
Tuesday: Rodgers reportedly mocks Packers GM
Bob McGinn of The Athletic confirmed a report from Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson that Rodgers wants GM Brian Gutekunst fired, with McGinn adding that Rodgers has ridiculed Gutenkunst in group texts with teammates, referring to him as Jerry Krause.
Krause, the former GM of the Chicago Bulls, was cast as the antagonist in ESPN's 10-part documentary "The Last Dance," identified as the man responsible for breaking up (albeit, also putting together) the famous Michael Jordan-led team.
Robb Demovsky, who covers the Packers for ESPN.com, has speculated that Rodgers may be holding a grudge that Gutekunst never informed Rodgers that he'd be drafting a quarterback – Jordan Love – in the first round of last year's draft.
As ESPN's Courtney Cronin has reported, even the Vikings let Kirk Cousins know ahead of time that they were drafting Kellen Mond in the third round.
What's more is that firing Gutekunst may be the only way to repair Rodgers' relationship with the franchise, according to Demovsky.
"Short of removing Gutekunst as GM, there might not be much Rodgers would find acceptable, given he's already turned down a lucrative contract extension, according to Schefter. Yahoo Sports reported over the weekend "a reconciliation may not be possible if Gutekunst remains."
Wednesday: Ex-teammate confirms unsettled situation
John Kuhn, the former Packers fullback who remains friends with Rodgers, told CBS Sports Radio that he's spoken with Rodgers since news broke on draft night that he wants out of Green Bay.
"He's conflicted because this man loves to play the game of football, this man loves to be a Green Bay Packer and this man truly sees careers," Kuhn said, according to ESPN. "He's watched friends leave, he watched Brett Favre's career toward the end. He's watched all these things play out in front of his eyes; he's taken notes throughout his career. He's seen some situations that didn't feel were done or finished the way that they could or should have.
"He's just trying to take his earned destiny within his own hands. To that effect, I actually admire him because not many players in the NFL have that opportunity. I sure as heck didn't. I played until everybody told me 'you can't play anymore,' and it's a humbling feeling. Aaron Rodgers has an opportunity to take a little bit of that power."
Kuhn said he plays golf regularly with Rodgers, so his words pack a punch.
Thursday: Packers searching the QB market
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Packers are searching the free agent market for quarterbacks, including veteran signal-callers.
What's unclear is if the alleged standoff with Rodgers has anything to do with their search, because it could be as simple as Green Bay needing more than just Rodgers and Jordan Love on the QB depth chart.
Here in Minnesota, we'll sit back and watch this tea kettle boil because who knows what Friday will bring.
