Packers: GM Brian Gutekunst puts a cap on all Aaron Rodgers trade speculation
By Scott Rogust
The Green Bay Packers general manager let everyone know that Aaron Rodgers is not on the trading block.
For the second consecutive year, the Green Bay Packers were eliminated in the NFC Championship Game and enter an offseason trying to figure out what went wrong. Perhaps the biggest headline that came out of the loss was quarterback Aaron Rodgers talking about the uncertainty of his status with the team, which he has since clarified by saying there’s no way he sees himself playing for another organization in 2021.
In case you needed more certainty that Rodgers isn’t being moved, here’s general manager Brian Gutekunst to provide that for you.
When speaking with the media on Monday, Gutekunst was asked if there was any way he’d be willing to trade the two-time NFL MVP. His answer was simple — “absolutely not.”
Asked Brian Gutekunst if he foresees any scenario in which he would be willing to trade Aaron Rodgers this offseason: "Absolutely not." So, there's your answer.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) February 1, 2021
Rodgers is going nowhere
On Sunday, a report indicated that the Los Angeles Rams “made a run” for Rodgers but were told by the Packers they were “adamant” about not trading him. Gutekunst shut down that report, saying the Rams never inquired with the Packers about Rodgers. Either way, it did not matter, as the Rams pivoted to the Detroit Lions to successfully acquire Matthew Stafford to be their next starting quarterback.
Rodgers is coming off a career year in his 16th season in the NFL. In 16 regular-season games, Rodgers completed 70.7-percent of his passes for 4,299 yards, 48 touchdowns and five interceptions. Those numbers are why the veteran quarterback is the favorite to win this year’s NFL MVP award.
What’s even more impressive is that put up these numbers with the same supporting cast as he had the year prior, where he recorded 4,002 yards and 26 touchdowns on a 62.0 completion percentage. Gutekunst did not go after a wide receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft, as his lone move was signing former Carolina Panthers wideout Devin Funchess, who opted out of the 2020 campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Packers now have to bolster their roster on both sides of the ball to make another deep playoff run in 2021. Gutekunst is going to have a busy offseason, so that’s why he essentially told the rest of the league that Rodgers is not on the trading block. So don’t bother calling.
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