The ‘Death Knell’ of the Aaron Rodgers, Packers Relationship Was Reportedly Over a Released Player
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers appear to be in a toxic relationship. Rodgers said he no longer wants to play for the team, and there have been several reasons reported for his request. The latest report, given by Ian Rapoport, said the “death knell” of the relationship happened when one former player was released right after Rodgers praised him.
Aaron Rodgers wants out of Green Bay
Maybe things will simmer down. When the dust settles, maybe Rodgers and the Packers can finish what they’ve started. Rodgers has been with the team since 2005 and has helped get the Pack to the last two NFC title games. For now, it appears Rodgers wants nothing to do with the team and would like to move on.
The Packers have said they’re not trading their three-time MVP. It’s hard to believe Rodgers, who at 37 years old won the MVP last year, would retire with so much left in the tank. Rodgers has an ego and a lot of pride to hang ’em up, especially after winning the award and just missing a return trip to the Super Bowl.
Rodgers hasn’t said much about his problem with the team. The team made one of the most foolish draft moves in history when it traded up in the first round in 2020 to select his eventual backup, Jordan Love. Rodgers then went out and led the league in touchdown passes with 48 and completion percentage (70.7%) en route to the MVP award. It was clearly a wasted pick since Rodgers still has three years left on his deal and the Packers didn’t use it on someone who could provide immediate help.
Ian Rapoport said releasing Jake Kumerow was the ‘death knell’
There have been numerous reports out there involving Rodgers and the Packers, and the latest one is an eye-opener. In September of 2020, the team released wide receiver Jake Kumerow in a surprising move. The move came after Rodgers had just praised him publicly. The release may have been the final straw for Rodgers.
“Jake Kumerow has been such a solid performer for us for the last couple years,” Rodgers told Sirius XM NFL Radio before Kumerow’s release. “I love his reliability. I think he’s a fantastic, steady player who’s very heady on the field, he makes plays. He plays with a lot of confidence, and he’s a guy you love having on the squad.”
That move came months after the Packers shocked Rodgers (and the rest of the NFL world) by making Love their top pick. Rodgers wasn’t notified they were going to pick Love. He apparently wasn’t notified of the Kumerow move either. On the NFL Network on Monday, Rapoport reported that Kumerow release was the “death knell” of the Packers/Rodgers relationship.
Rodgers wanted more say in personnel decisions
According to Zach Kruse, managing editor for The Packers Wire, Rapoport said Rodgers wanted to be more involved in team decisions. “One thing that drove Rodgers nuts was when the organization released Jake Kumerow just a day after he praised him publicly. Described as a little bit of a death knell in the relationship,” Rapoport said.
Rodgers was definitely wronged by the team when they made Love their first pick last year. The team, however, isn’t required to allow their quarterback to make team decisions. Rodgers has the right to be mad, but the team also has the right to do business as they see fit.
It’s the latest in another round of Green Bay drama. Stay tuned. They’ll certainly be more to come.
All stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference.
