The Unsung Nugget About the Aaron Rodgers Controversy

Dec 23, 2019; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks on during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Draft day was the venue and apropos time for news to finally leak that Aaron Rodgers is discontented with the Green Bay Packers — or so decided a gaggle of folks. Since April 29th, Rodgers’ disdain for Green Bay has dominated the airwaves, soundwaves, and digital waves.

Rodgers is alleged to be so disgruntled with the Packers — for a variety of outrageous reasons — that the narrative has switched to the mode of his exodus. Four scenarios lurk on the nature of resolution to this conundrum.

First, Rodgers could do the kumbaya thing and make amends with the Packers brass [or vice versa]. Green Bay has oodles of cash invested in the 37-year-old, generating a nauseating outlook if the franchise is “forced” to trade him to another NFL team. But a come-to-Jesus seems the most sensible option unless the parties wish to totally mar the 16-year relationship.

Or — the Packers leadership can cling to stubbornness and let Rodgers perform nowhere. They hold the leverage in this regard if they choose to play hardball. Trade him nowhere and watch his twilight years wither into nothingness.

For the juicy stuff, general manager Brian Gutekunst can swallow his pride, reverse course, and trade the man. That’s the speculative aspect — where would we go? Probably the Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, or New York Giants.

Otherwise, Rodgers can retire. He can get married to Tris, host Jeopardy, and become immortalized by time like his predecessor, Brett Favre.

On the notion that the Rodgers turmoil is overblown by the media, Rodgers holds the cards to change the conversation. If the “Rodgers Is Mad” theory is so false, so salacious — Rodgers alone could silence it all. He has multiple venues to do so — easily.

Twitter, Press Conference, Players Tribune, Etc.

Rodgers has a Twitter account with 4.4 million admirers; it can be found here. One tweet (or a series of tweets) could end this green and gold nightmare. It could say something like, “I will be a Packer forever.”

He has not done that. Because it would instantly mend the mystery of his 2021 uniform — and Rodgers has not derided the chaos — there is something accurate about the reporting to date.

He could hold a press conference, insuring fans and Wisconsinites that he will not abandon them. The gridiron matrimony has existed too long for Rodgers (or his camp) to be radio silent for over a week. Human bodies would flock to the presser in mass fashion to listen to Rodgers’ words. In reality, though, a press conference hasn’t happened either.

Rodgers seems to be private by nature, so he could pick up the telephone and call an Ian Rapoport type to set the record straight. That would be a channel for communication while avoiding the awkward lights of confrontation.

But he’s chosen to effectuate zero of these tactics. Ergo, the smoke is semi-aromatic.

Some Semblance of Truth Is Evident

The longer this story twists in the wind without denouncement from Rodgers or his people — the nastier it devolves. If the Packers are quietly talking to trade partners, indeed, after June 1st is probably the wisest time financially to unload the quarterback. However, if the standstill is derived from anger by both sides, then the saga continues.

Each morning is beset by a new nugget of information, rumor, or theory. This is The Digital Age, and the pandemonium will not stop until Rodgers is traded, Rodgers retires, or he agrees to return to Green Bay for 2021. Perhaps some “fatigue” will set in after several weeks — especially for folks with Wisconsin mailboxes — but the narrative will maintain a heartbeat until a settlement is reached.

Perhaps a Split Will Benefit Both Parties

Rodgers is mythic in reputation, undoubtedly. He will don a gold jacket vis-à-vis Canton, Ohio, during the next decade.

Hall of Fame assurances notwithstanding, the Packers have lost four consecutive NFC Championship games — 2014 to the Seattle Seahawks, 2016 to the Atlanta Falcons, 2019 to the San Francisco 49ers, and 2020 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Russell Wilson, Matt Ryan, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Tom Brady have all upended Rodgers and the Packers during the last half-decade.

Green Bay is certainly a better football team with Rodgers in charge, but it is not winning the organization any championships as of late.

A divorce will be messy and resentments will linger just as they did with Brett Favre for a few years, but maybe all of this tomfoolery is a bizarre nudge to move both parties forward — rather than the Super Bowl-less standstill evident since 2010.

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