The Green Bay Packers may be forced to decide between Aaron Rodgers and general manager Brian Gutekunst.
Rodgers is adamant he won't return to the team under the stewardship of Gutekunst, a source close to the quarterback told Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson.
The reigning MVP is reportedly willing to consider no-showing offseason workouts and training camp and even potentially retirement. Rodgers could be fined up to $50,000 for every day he holds out of camp. If he retires, he would have to repay the team $11.5 million this year and $11.5 million in 2022, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.
Team president Mark Murphy is apparently aware of Rodgers' feelings toward Gutekunst, which stem from the Packers drafting quarterback Jordan Love last season. Reconciliation with the future Hall of Famer reportedly may not be possible with Gutekunst at the helm.
"The ball is in Mark's court,” the source told Robinson.
Gutekunst selected Love in the first round in 2020 without informing Rodgers of the decision beforehand.
Gutekunst says they could’ve communicated better (I’m assuming he’s talking about with Rodgers) before picking Jordan Love last year.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) April 30, 2021
Rodgers believed the pick meant Gutekunst planned to move on from the veteran after the 2020 season, added Robinson. The 37-year-old responded by winning the third MVP award of his career last year, likely forcing the Packers to adjust their timeline.
While Rodgers reportedly wanted Green Bay to fully commit to him for at least two more seasons with a new contract, the NFC North club apparently wasn't willing to consider anything beyond a modest restructure that would've only essentially guaranteed his place for the 2021 campaign.
Aaron Rodgers at the Kentucky Derby. He declined to talk to NBC. Mike Tirico says Rodgers told him he was "disappointed that news has come out of this rift with the Packers." Tirico says Rodgers expressed how much he loves Green Bay.#AaronRodgers #Packers pic.twitter.com/BOM3p8LzFQ
— Matt Hietpas (@MattyHip) May 1, 2021
Murphy acknowledged Saturday that Rodgers is unhappy with the team but expressed his belief that the relationship can be repaired.
"This is an issue that we have been working on for several months," Murphy wrote. "(General manager) Brian Gutekunst, (head coach) Matt LaFleur, and I have flown out on a number of occasions to meet with Aaron. We are very much aware of Aaron's concerns and have been working with him (and agent Dave Dunn) to resolve them. We remain committed to Aaron in 2021 and beyond."
It was reported Thursday that Rodgers' preferred trade destinations are the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, and Las Vegas Raiders.
The 49ers apparently inquired about Rodgers prior to the first round of the draft but were rebuffed. The club then selected quarterback Trey Lance at No. 3.
