Skip to main content

Back with the Pack! Aaron Rodgers is 'telling friends he plans to return to Green Bay' after skipping the team's minicamp amid dispute over the club's 'character and culture'

After months of publicly quarreling with Green Bay's front office, reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers is reportedly returning to the Packers for the 2021 season.

NFL network reported Monday that the decorated quarterback has told confidants that he plans to play for the Packers this season, although that's not yet a certainty. General manager Brian Gutekunst recently told team shareholders act he was 'hopeful' for a positive outcome with Rodgers, who has criticized the 'character and culture' of the organization.

Rodgers, 37, has stayed away from the team, including skipping mandatory minicamp, generating months-long speculation about where he would play the 2021 season, if at all.

He has not yet left his native California for this week's training camp in Wisconsin, according to ESPN, but he and the team reportedly hope to finalize some changes to his contract that would make him more agreeable to staying in Green Bay. 

As reported by ESPN, the Packers plan to adjust Rodgers contract to give the team more cap room without docking him any of his $21 million salary for the 2021 season.

The agreement would void the final year (2023) of Rodgers's deal and would have terms in place that would allow him to leave after the 2021 season if he remains disenchanted with the Packers, ESPN said, adding that Rodgers remained in California on Monday. 

After months of publicly quarreling with Green Bay's front office, reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers is reportedly returning to the Packers for the 2021 season

After months of publicly quarreling with Green Bay's front office, reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers is reportedly returning to the Packers for the 2021 season

NFL network reported Monday that the decorated quarterback has told confidants that he plans to play for the Packers this season, although that's not yet a certainty. General manager Brian Gutekunst recently told team shareholders act he was 'hopeful' for a positive outcome with Rodgers, who has criticized the 'character and culture' of the organization

NFL network reported Monday that the decorated quarterback has told confidants that he plans to play for the Packers this season, although that's not yet a certainty. General manager Brian Gutekunst recently told team shareholders act he was 'hopeful' for a positive outcome with Rodgers, who has criticized the 'character and culture' of the organization

Tom Brady (left) and Phil Mickelson (right) congratulate Aaron Rodgers after Rodgers and Bryson DeChambeau won Capital One's The Match at The Reserve at Moonlight Basin on July 06, 2021 in Big Sky, Montana

Tom Brady and Phil Mickelson congratulate Aaron Rodgers after Rodgers and Bryson DeChambeau won Capital One's The Match at The Reserve at Moonlight Basin on July 06, 2021 in Big Sky, Montana

Rodgers' last public comments came early this month when he said he had been devoting time this offseason to his mental health and spiritual self.

'We want him back, we're committed to him for 2021 and beyond,' president Mark Murphy told shareholders, adding that the standoff has been a 'challenging situation, but let's not forget all the great things he's done.'

Packers veterans report Tuesday with the first practice scheduled for Wednesday.

Previously, Rodgers reportedly declined a two-year contract extension in the offseason that would have made him the NFL's highest-paid player. 

As ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday, the proposed deal would have kept Rodgers in Green Bay for five more years and made him the 'highest-paid player and quarterback' in the NFL. 

The refusal is 'proof' that Rodgers's issues with the club are 'not about the money,' Schefter wrote in a tweet. 

There had been a growing belief that Rodgers would retire rather than return to the Packers. 

With that thought ostensibly in mind, Westgate SuperBook recently removed projected wins, playoff odds, division odds and weekly lines for all four NFC North teams, according to Sports Illustrated. The publication cited its information as coming from an oddsmaker at the sportsbook.  

According to SI.com, multiple sportsbooks were in agreement that Rodgers would retire prior to Green Bay's first practice on Wednesday. SI said one sportsbook lessened the odds of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to win MVP honors.

Also, Pro Football Talk reports that DraftKings and PointsBet have removed the Packers from over-under victories wagers.

Aaron Rodgers pictured during his brief guest-hosting tenure on Jeopardy!

Aaron Rodgers pictured during his brief guest-hosting tenure on Jeopardy! 

Rodgers took issue with multiple instances of what he considers failed communication from the team, including trading up in the 2020 draft to select quarterback Jordan Love in the first round.

But Rodgers said in May that 'it's never been about the draft pick.'

'I love Jordan; he's a great kid,' he told ESPN. '(It is) a lot of fun to work together. Love the coaching staff, love my teammates, love the fan base in Green Bay. An incredible 16 years. It's just kind of about a philosophy and maybe forgetting that it is about the people that make the thing go. 

'It's about character, it's about culture, it's about doing things the right way.' 

The overarching issue between Gutekunst and Rodgers came to the surface prior to the 2021 NFL Draft, but underlying friction has existed since the Packers selected Love in the first round of the 2020 draft.

At rookie minicamp following the draft, LaFleur said again the Packers wanted Rodgers to return 'in the worst way.'  

'As we've stated since the season ended, we are committed to Aaron in 2021 and beyond,' Gutekunst told ESPN. 'Aaron has been a vital part of our success and we look forward to competing for another championship with him leading our team.'   

Rodgers made cryptic comments before the 2020 NFC title game, saying his future is a 'beautiful mystery.'

Rodgers and the Packers have been locked in a simmering standoff. Rodgers reportedly told the Packers he wouldn't play for the team next season. But team president Mark Murphy and general manager Brian Gutekunst (pictured) vowed not to part with the reigning MVP

Rodgers and the Packers have been locked in a simmering standoff. Rodgers reportedly told the Packers he wouldn't play for the team next season. But team president Mark Murphy and general manager Brian Gutekunst vowed not to part with the reigning MVP

Jordan Love was a surprise first-round pick by the Packers in 2020. His arrival seemed to suggest that Rodgers's days in Green Bay were numbered until the longtime starter went on to earn his third MVP award in 2020

Jordan Love was a surprise first-round pick by the Packers in 2020. His arrival seemed to suggest that Rodgers's days in Green Bay were numbered until the longtime starter went on to earn his third MVP award in 2020 

The Packers have shown no interest in trading him, and according to ESPN, turned down offers from the Los Angeles Rams, who ultimately dealt for the Detroit Lions' quarterback Matthew Stafford. 

Rodgers pictured with his likely successor, Jordan Love, during a practice in 2020

Rodgers pictured with his likely successor, Jordan Love, during a practice in 2020

Rodgers won his third MVP award in 2020 after leading the NFL and setting franchise records for both completion percentage (70.7) and touchdown passes (48). 

But to Rodgers, the MVP award may have been a turning point in his relationship with the team. 

'A lot of this was put in motion last year, and the wrench was just kind of thrown into it when I won MVP and played the way I played last year,' Rodgers said on ESPN. 'This is just kind of, I think, a spill-out of all that. But it is about the people, and that's the most important thing.  

Rodgers has played his entire 16-year NFL career with the Packers, winning three MVP awards and Super Bowl XLV over that time.

He is signed through the 2023 season, but has an out clause in his contract that could allow him to become a free agent in the summer of 2022. Rodgers has earned more than $240 million in salary over his 16-year career.

Rodgers has been busy this off-season.

In addition to a stretch hosting Jeopardy, he revealed his engagement to actress Shailene Woodley when he accepted his third MVP award back in February.

In addition to a stretch hosting Jeopardy in April, Rodgers revealed his engagement to actress Shailene Woodley when he accepted his third MVP award back in February

In addition to a stretch hosting Jeopardy in April, Rodgers revealed his engagement to actress Shailene Woodley when he accepted his third MVP award back in February

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o