Brian Gutekunst puts pressure on Aaron Rodgers at Packers media session
By John Buhler
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst addressed the never-ending Aaron Rodgers situation yet again.
From atop his Indianapolis high horse at the NFL Combine, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst added some gasoline to the raging Aaron Rodgers drama-filled fire.
We lived through this well over a decade ago with Brett Favre year after year after year, and it was terrible the entire time. Why learn from the past when you can repeat it by making the same GOB Bluth huge mistakes seemingly every single day? If the Dallas Cowboys are in Arrested Development, what does that say about Green Bay? Gutekunst had things to say at the combine…
He told a pool of reporters he is hoping for a decision from Rodgers on if he is going to play this season by March 15, which is the start of the annual tradition known as NFL free agency.
GM Brian Gutekunst in a session with Packers reporters at the combine said he hasn’t spoken much with Aaron Rodgers since their end of season meetings but still hopes for a decision before free agency (March 15).
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) February 28, 2023
He then praised Rodgers before saying the Packers need to do what is in their best interest.
Gutekunst on whether he wants Rodgers back:
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) February 28, 2023
“He’s a great player, but until we have those conversations, I think all options are on the table. We need to have those conversations. We want what's best for the Green Bay Packers, what's best for him so we'll get to that coming up.”
Gutekunst then said that Rodgers’ backup Jordan Love is “absolutely” ready to be an NFL starter.
Gutekunst said Jordan Love is “absolutely” ready to be a starter and they’ve been in regular communication with him and his agent about what’s happening.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) February 28, 2023
And to make this even more splendid, Gutekunst expects Rodgers would restructure his deal for the betterment of the team…
Gutekunst said that if Rodgers does return to the team, he would expect the quarterback to restructure his deal to take pressure off the team's cap. He said he thought Rodgers would do what was best for the team.
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) February 28, 2023
One day, this is all going to end. It is going to be amazing, but probably not for the Packers, sadly…
Packers: Brian Gutekunst puts the pressure on Aaron Rodgers
Look. Rodgers just spent the better part of a week semi-hibernating with his thoughts in a dark hole. It was a mental cleanse more than anything, as hopefully no experimental medicines entered his body. If he found nirvana and achieved enlightenment below ground, then good for him. If the Packers are part of the equation, then that is wonderful. If not, no worries. Y’all have Jordan Love…
Rodgers’ days of being a top-five quarterback in the league may be ending, but he did win two NFL MVPs in the last three seasons. Playoff success has largely evaded the franchise, but he can usually get you there. So what’s Love got to do (got to do) with it? A lot! If he is a third as good as Rodgers was in his prime, then Green Bay should have a nice rest of the decade or so with Love.
The only problem is Love has played sparingly over the last three years and we don’t really know if he deserves to get the fifth-year option out of Utah State. He is probably going to get it anyway, whether or not he plays for the Packers or somewhere else. The only problem with one more year of control is the fifth-year option is fully guaranteed like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold’s deals.
Ultimately, it serves both parties to reach a decision at some point in the next two weeks. No matter how it ends, Gutekunst has done more to damage Rodgers’ relationship with the franchise than anything. If he retires and they stink, that is on Gutekunst. Should he want to be traded and flourish somewhere else, that will be on Gutekunst. He will always have Love in his heart, though.
Worst of all is the NFC North is getting better by the year, so you better fricking watch out, man!
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