One NFL executive fully understands why the Green Bay Packers are more open to trading Aaron Rodgers than ever before because the league legend held the team “hostage” for a massive contract extension in 2022, and didn’t deliver on the historic deal this season.
Following a surprise Week 18 loss to the Detroit Lions, and seeing their playoff hopes squashed in the final week of the season, the story in Green Bay — and even around the league — is about Aaron Rodgers’ future. In just a few weeks, the narrative went from retirement being possible to the four-time MVP likely calling another city home next season.
Earlier this week, The Athletic NFL writer Mike Sando spoke to several NFL executives to get their opinion on the Rodgers and Packers situation, and one anonymous exec explained why they believe the team missed a big opportunity last year, and why now Green Bay is definitely “done with” Rodgers.
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“The time to jump off was last year. They missed the ability to maximize their compensation. And they missed the playoffs. When they moved Davante [Adams], they should have moved Aaron and said, ‘We are starting over and we have all these picks.'”
– Anonymous NFL exec
NFL exec on Aaron Rodgers: He showed ‘his true colors last offseason’
However, another league decision-maker took it even further by ripping the star quarterback and explaining why Aaron Rodgers has completely earned being shipped off by his longtime team after showcasing a me-first mentality in landing a massive three-year, $150 million extension.
“I think he showed his true colors last offseason when he held them hostage and took $50 million a year. He knew he could get his best deal from the Packers, and now that he has it, now that he has secured the bag, he is open to leaving.”
– Anonymous NFL exec
All indications are the Green Bay Packers will finally trade Aaron Rodgers this offseason. The belief among the executives that Sando talked to, is that the Tennessee Titans are a perfect fit for the veteran QB, followed by the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite being seen as a favorite to secure a trade, the New York Jets are seen as an unlikely destination for the future Hall-of-Famer.