Aaron Rodgers–Green Bay Packers tensions
| Aaron Rodgers–Green Bay Packers tensions | |||
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 Aaron Rodgers with the Packers in 2019 | |||
| Date | April 23, 2005 – present (19 years and 2 days)[1] | ||
| Location | 44°30′5″N 88°3′44″W / 44.50139°N 88.06222°WCoordinates: 44°30′5″N 88°3′44″W / 44.50139°N 88.06222°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ | ||
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There have been ongoing tensions between the Green Bay Packers organization and quarterback Aaron Rodgers throughout his career with the team.[1] The tensions started when Mike McCarthy was football coach, in which Rodgers reportedly expressed displeasure with the coach. Tensions escalated in 2020 when the Packers drafted Jordan Love, and reached a breaking point when ESPN reporter Adam Schefter reported that Rodgers was “fed up” with the organization. Some commentators have accused the Packers of wasting the prime years of Aaron Rodgers.
Background[edit]
Tensions between Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers dated back to April 23, 2005, the day he was drafted by the Green Bay Packers.[1] Despite winning Super Bowl XLV, commentators and fans said that one ring wasn't enough for Rodgers, insisting that it should have been a dynasty.[4] Commentators and former players such as Brandon Marshall have accused the Packers of wasting the prime years of Aaron Rodgers.[5][6] However, there are some that would argue that the Packers organization is doing everything in their power to protect the team and help it win, as well as surrounding weapons around him such as Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, and Greg Jennings.[7][8]
Timeline[edit]
2013[edit]
During the 2013 season, tensions rose between Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy during a Week 3 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Rodgers was seen having a heated exchange with McCarthy during the first half. Rodgers also struggled in the game as he threw two interceptions as the Packers went on to lose 30-34.[9] ESPN reporter Chris Mortensen reported that Rodgers said that his absence due to a broken collarbone was a “organizational decision.[2][10]
2015[edit]
Following the 2014 NFC Championship game against the Seattle Seahawks, in which the Packers lost despite leading 19-7, Rodgers reportedly was frustrated with head coach Mike McCarthy.[1] During the 2015 season, the Packers offense struggled with playcalling being switched from McCarthy to Tom Clements to McCarthy again. However, despite changes in playcalling from Clements to McCarthy, the offense struggled throughout the season, which was shown during the team's 8-38 loss against the Arizona Cardinals.[11]
2016[edit]
On January 25, 2016, journalist Bob McGinn blamed Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy for the 2015 season being “underachieving”, despite the Packers finishing 10-6. McGinn compared the Packers under Rodgers to the Atlanta Braves under Bobby Cox. Tensions rose between Thompson and McCarthy when McGinn also reported in the article that McCarthy was “fed up” with how Thompson approached free agency.[12][13] However, Thompson denied such reports.[14]
2017[edit]
Following the NFC Championship game against the Atlanta Falcons, in which the Packers lost 44-21, Rodgers urged the front office to “reload” the team.[15] He also urged general manager Ted Thompson to resign tight end Jared Cook, saying it was a “top priority”.[16] However, at the NFL Combine, Thompson said that he didn't get the message from Rodgers that the team needed to reload. Despite pleas from Rodgers to resign Cook, contract talks between the Packers and Cook failed and Cook went on to sign with the Oakland Raiders.[17][18] Martellus Bennett replaced Cook, but was released during the 2017 season.[19]
Throughout the 2017 season, tensions rose between Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy. In a 2017 interview on ESPN, McCarthy said that Rodgers was mad at him when recalling his 2006 hiring by the team.[20] Tensions were shown in Week 3, when Rodgers was caught yelling "stupid f*cking call" at McCarthy.[21] Rodgers also was reportedly shocked when McCarthy fired quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt.[22] Following the end of the 2017 season, Dom Capers was fired as defensive coordinator and Ted Thompson resigned as general manager.[3]
2018[edit]
After the firing of Capers and resignation of Thompson, Mike Pettine and Brian Gutekunst were hired as defensive coordinator and general manager.[23][24] McCarthy entered the 2018 season on the hot seat.[25] In October 2018, analyst Stephen A. Smith accused the Packers of wasting the prime years of Aaron Rodgers a few days after the Packers 31-23 loss to the Detroit Lions.[26] Following the Packers 27-24 loss, tensions between Rodgers and McCarthy escalated and McCarthy entered the hot seat.[27][28] On December 2, McCarthy was fired by the Packers hours after the team's 20-17 loss against the Arizona Cardinals. However, the Packers missed the playoffs for a second consecutive year after losing 24-17 to the Chicago Bears.[29]
2019[edit]
Following McCarthy's firing, Matt LaFleur was hired to replace him.[30] On April 4, 2019, a article published on the Bleacher Report by Tyler Dunne detailed the relationships between Rodgers and McCarthy, which was described as "toxic". The article reported that Rodgers believed that McCarthy had "one of the lowest IQs, if not the lowest IQ, of any coach he's ever had."[31] However, Rodgers described the report as a "smear attack" and expressed praise for McCarthy.[32]
2020[edit]
In the 2020 NFL Draft, the Packers drafted Utah State quarterback Jordan Love. This led to speculation that he would be the successor to Rodgers. Rodgers said that he wasn't thrilled by the pick, and former quarterback Brett Favre believed that Rodgers would finish his career on another team.[33] The Packers went on to go 13-3 for the 2020 season, and Rodgers won his third MVP award.[34]
2021[edit]
On January 24, 2021, following the 2020 NFC Championship game, in which the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Packers 31-26, Rodgers said that his future with the Packers was “uncertain” and that there are “unknowns going into the offseason” following the game.[35] He also said that a controversial decision by coach Matt LaFleur to not go for it on 4th down wasn't his decision.[36] Two days later, CEO Mark Murphy said that the team is expected to have quarterback Rodgers return for the next season, and Rodgers downplayed speculation that he would leave the team by clarifying comments he made in a press conference that his future with the team is "uncertain".[37][38] LaFleur announced that the team would part ways with defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, and would replace him with Joe Barry.[39] On April 5, in interview with Pat McAfee, Rodgers said that nothing has changed about his future with the team.[40]
On April 29, 2021, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter reported that Rodgers was fed up with the organization, and that he reportedly wanted to leave.[41] However, general manager Brian Gutekunst said that the team would not trade Rodgers despite rumors that the Packers would trade him.[42] However, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, Rodgers reportedly said that he wouldn't return unless the team fires Gutekunst.[43] On April 30, amid ongoing tensions, the Packers traded up for Clemson wide receiver Amari Rodgers.[44] On May 1, Packers CEO Mark Murphy said that the team was committed to Rodgers.[45] On the same day, Rodgers attended the 2021 Kentucky Derby, and NBC reporter Mike Tirico said that Rodgers was "disappointed that news has come out of this rift with the Packers." Tirico said that Rodgers expressed his love for the Packers and their fans.[46]
On May 3, tensions between Rodgers and the Packers continued to escalate when sportswriter Ian Rapoport said that cutting wide receiver Jake Kumerow was the “death kneel” in the relations.[47] That same day, former inside linebacker A.J. Hawk, who was one of Rodgers’ teammates, said that there is a 0% chance that Rodgers retires from the NFL and dismissed reports that Rodgers wants Gutekunst fired as “garbage”.[48] On May 5, tensions started to ease when former fullback John Kuhn told the CBS Sports Radio that Rodgers said that he “loves to be a Green Bay Packer”, as well as believing that Rodgers would return for the 2021 season.[49] However, a report released by The Athletic reveals that Rodgers compared Gutekunst to Jerry Krause, the former Chicago Bulls general manager during the 1990s dynasty led by Michael Jordan.[50]
On May 6, Schefter described details on the story released during the NFL Draft. He said that he made the call to break the news after a “accumulation of information.”[51] Reports also emerged that the Packers are looking for other quarterbacks to compete with Rodgers and Love.[52] Former wide receiver James Jones expressed optimism that the tensions between Rodgers and Packers could be “fixable”.[53] On May 10, tensions eased when Rapaport reported that the Packers have made a "long-term offer" to extend the contract of Rodgers.[54] On the same day, the Packers brought quarterbacks Kurt Benkert and Chad Kelly for a workout.[55] Former safety LeRoy Butler said that Rodgers will return for the 2021 season[56], while wide receiver Davante Adams said that he would support Rodgers regardless if he is traded or not.[57]
On May 12, the Packers reportedly signed former Denver Broncos quarterback Blake Bortles.[58] The signing was confirmed the next day.[59] On May 14, during training camp, LaFleur said that the Packers want Rodgers “in the worst way possible”.[60] On May 24, Rodgers, for the first time in his career, didn’t attend OTA’s as he was vacationing in Hawaii.[61][62] That same day, during a interview on SportsCenter, Rodgers broke his silence regarding the tensions by praising Jordan Love and the team itself while also criticizing the team’s philosophy.[63][64] On June 5, Murphy acknowledged that the tensions have divided the Packers fan base.[65]
Trading destinations[edit]
After the story broke out that Rodgers wasn't interested in returning to the Packers, several teams were interested in trading for him including the Denver Broncos[66], San Francisco 49ers[67], Las Vegas Raiders[68], and Cleveland Browns. Although teams were interested in trading for Rodgers, Gutekunst said that the Packers won't trade him.[42] On May 9, 2021, the Browns said that they will commit to Baker Mayfield and won't trade for Rodgers.[69] The Miami Dolphins have been labeled as a team prepared to trade for Rodgers.[70]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "A timeline of Aaron Rodgers expressing discontent with the Packers". April 29, 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "A timeline of the major moments in tensions between Aaron Rodgers and the Packers". Acme Packing Company. May 13, 2021.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Wilde, Jason. "Packers: Dom Capers fired, Ted Thompson out as GM as Green Bay makes major moves". madison.com.
- ↑ "The Aaron Rodgers dynasty: the NFL era that never came to pass". The Guardian. August 16, 2016.
- ↑ Canova, Daniel (June 28, 2020). "Packers 'wasted' Aaron Rodgers' career, ex-rival says". Fox News.
- ↑ "The Packers wasting Aaron Rodgers' prime is a crime against sport". The Independent. November 16, 2018.
- ↑ Wood, Ryan. "Packers GM reiterates support for Aaron Rodgers as QB 'for the foreseeable future'". Packers News.
- ↑ "Packers: Who is the best wide receiver in the Aaron Rodgers era?". April 6, 2021.
- ↑ "Frustration rules in Packers' loss to Bengals". www.packers.com.
- ↑ "Take toughness issue out of Rodgers' return". ESPN.com. December 22, 2013.
- ↑ "Still-great Aaron Rodgers let down by Packers coaching, play calling". www.sportingnews.com.
- ↑ "Blame for underachieving season falls on McCarthy, Thompson". www.jsonline.com.
- ↑ "Report: Mike McCarthy is 'fed up' with Packers GM". FOX Sports.
- ↑ Video, B/R. "Insider Buzz: Packers GM Denies Clash with McCarthy over Free-Agent Spending". Bleacher Report.
- ↑ Sports, Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY. "Aaron Rodgers: Packers need to 'reload,' not rebuild". USA TODAY.
- ↑ Wood, Ryan. "Tight end Jared Cook among Packers' top priorities". Packers News.
- ↑ "Source: Packers, TE Cook break off talks". ESPN.com. March 10, 2017.
- ↑ Conway, Tyler. "Jared Cook to Reportedly Sign with Oakland Raiders After 1 Year with Packers". Bleacher Report.
- ↑ "Martellus Bennett's tenure with Packers essentially ended at the bye". ESPN.com. November 9, 2017.
- ↑ "Green-room nightmare: Inside Aaron Rodgers' draft-day fall". ESPN.com. April 25, 2017.
- ↑ Jr, Harry Lyles (September 24, 2017). "Aaron Rodgers wants the Packers to know this was a 'stupid f***ing call'". SBNation.com.
- ↑ "Rodgers miffed Packers didn't retain QB coach". ESPN.com. February 1, 2018.
- ↑ "Packers hire Joe Philbin, Mike Pettine as coordinators". National Football League.
- ↑ Rapp, Timothy. "Brian Gutekunst Reportedly to Be Hired as Packers GM to Replace Ted Thompson". Bleacher Report.
- ↑ Reischel, Rob. "Packers Coach Mike McCarthy Enters 2018 Squarely On The Hot Seat". Forbes.
- ↑ Massey, Evan (October 11, 2018). "Stephen A. Smith Goes Absolutely Off On The Packers For What They're Doing To Aaron Rodgers". ClutchPoints.
- ↑ "Mike McCarthy-Aaron Rodgers tension puts pressure on Packers coach, report says | NFL | Sporting News". January 31, 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-01-31.
- ↑ Press, Associated. "Mike McCarthy on the hot seat as the Packers scuffle". chicagotribune.com.
- ↑ "Packers miss playoffs for second straight year". Wisconsin Radio Network. December 17, 2018.
- ↑ Wilson, Jordan J. (February 7, 2021). "Packers Hire Ex-Rams Assistant as New Defensive Coordinator".
- ↑ Dunne, Tyler. "What Happened in Green Bay". Bleacher Report.
- ↑ Carroll, Charlotte. "Aaron Rodgers disputes story of feud with McCarthy". Sports Illustrated.
- ↑ "Aaron Rodgers Breaks Silence On Love Pick, 'Not Going To Say I Was Thrilled'". TMZ.
- ↑ Maske, Mark (February 6, 2021). "Aaron Rodgers is the NFL's MVP for a third time". The Washington Post.
- ↑ "Aaron Rodgers says his future is uncertain, 'a lot of unknowns' following Packers' NFC Championship loss". CBSSports.com.
- ↑ Wadleigh, Matt (January 25, 2021). "Aaron Rodgers Reveals True Thoughts On Matt LaFleur Kicking FG Instead Of Going For TD On 4th Down". ClutchPoints.
- ↑ "'We're not idiots': Packers CEO dismisses talk of Aaron Rodgers' exit". The Guardian. January 26, 2021.
- ↑ Curtis, Jake. "Aaron Rodgers Clarifies: He Expects to Stay in Green Bay". Sports Illustrated Cal Bears News, Analysis and More.
- ↑ Silverstein, Tom. "Packers pick Joe Barry to succeed Mike Pettine as defensive coordinator". Packers News.
- ↑ "Aaron Rodgers on future with Packers: 'Things really haven't changed'". 247Sports.
- ↑ CNN, Jill Martin. "Report: NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers does not want to return to the Packers". CNN.
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 Huber, Bill. "Gutekunst: Packers Won't Trade Rodgers". Sports Illustrated Green Bay Packers News, Analysis and More.
- ↑ Papke, Grey (May 1, 2021). "Report: Aaron Rodgers wants Packers GM Brian Gutekunst fired". Larry Brown Sports.
- ↑ News, A. B. C. "Green Bay Packers take Amari Rodgers in NFL draft amid ongoing questions about Aaron Rodgers' future". ABC News.
- ↑ "Packers president/CEO Mark Murphy: 'We remain committed to Aaron (Rodgers) in 2021 and beyond'". NFL.com.
- ↑ Chiari, Mike. "Aaron Rodgers 'Disappointed That News Has Come Out' About Rift with Packers". Bleacher Report.
- ↑ Wilson, Jordan J. (May 3, 2021). "Packers Cutting WR Was 'Death Knell' for Aaron Rodgers Relationship: Report".
- ↑ Berge, Clint (May 3, 2021). "Aaron Rodgers' former teammate says 0% chance the QB retires".
- ↑ Huber, Bill. "Kuhn Believes Rodgers Will Be Packers' Quarterback in 2021". Sports Illustrated Green Bay Packers News, Analysis and More.
- ↑ staff, Sun-Times (May 5, 2021). "Aaron Rodgers reportedly compares Packers GM to Jerry Krause". Chicago Sun-Times.
- ↑ "Adam Schefter Reveals Details Of His Aaron Rodgers Story". May 6, 2021.
- ↑ "Packers have begun looking at other quarterbacks with Aaron Rodgers situation in flux, per report". CBSSports.com.
- ↑ Howe, Matt (May 6, 2021). "James Jones calls Aaron Rodgers/Green Bay Packers situation 'fixable'". 247sports.com.
- ↑ Bretl, Paul (May 10, 2021). "Packers Have Made "Significant Long-term" Offer to Aaron Rodgers". dairylandexpress.com.
- ↑ Patra, Kevin (May 10, 2021). "Packers to try out QBs Chad Kelly, Kurt Benkert at rookie minicamp". nfl.com.
- ↑ "LeRoy Butler: Why I think Aaron Rodgers will return to Packers in 2021". nfl.com. May 10, 2021.
- ↑ Rapp, Timothy (May 10, 2021). "Davante Adams Says He's Behind Aaron Rodgers 100% amid Packers Trade Rumors". Bleacher Report.
- ↑ Camenker, Jacob (May 12, 2021). "Blake Bortles reportedly signs with Packers amid team's rift with Aaron Rodgers". Sporting News.
- ↑ Shipley, John. "Packers Officially Sign Ex-Jaguars QB Blake Bortles". Sports Illustrated.
- ↑ "LaFleur wants Rodgers back 'in the worst way'". ESPN.com. May 14, 2021.
- ↑ Beer, Tommy. "Aaron Rodgers Does Not Report To Green Bay For Start Of Packers Organized Team Activities". Forbes.
- ↑ "Watch: Aaron Rodgers spotted singing in Hawaii after skipping Packers OTAs". 247Sports.
- ↑ "Rodgers: Issue with Packers' philosophy, not Love". ESPN.com. May 25, 2021.
- ↑ EDT, Scott McDonald On 5/25/21 at 12:19 AM (May 25, 2021). "QB Aaron Rodgers breaks silence on his recent rift with Green Bay Packers". Newsweek.
- ↑ Wilde, Jason. "Packers president Mark Murphy: Aaron Rodgers situation 'has divided our fan base'". madison.com.
- ↑ Gay, Jason (May 3, 2021). "Aaron Rodgers, Broncos Quarterback? Stay in Green Bay? 'Jeopardy!' Host? Questions Looking for Answers". Wall Street Journal – via www.wsj.com.
- ↑ "49ers reached out to Packers this week regarding trade for Aaron Rodgers". NFL.com.
- ↑ "Aaron Rodgers is reportedly intrigued by the Raiders as a potential landing spot". CBSSports.com.
- ↑ "Report: Cleveland Browns committed to Baker Mayfield, won't try to trade for Aaron Rodgers". 247Sports.
- ↑ Davenport, Gary. "Miami Dolphins Are NFL Team Best Prepared to Make a Play for Aaron Rodgers Now". Bleacher Report.
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