Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst left no doubt about who will be the quarterback of their football team in 2021, and neither sounded like next season will be the final season with Aaron Rodgers under center in Green Bay.
Both LaFleur and Gutekunst held their season-ending press conferences on Monday, and both organizational leaders committed fully to Rodgers as the quarterback next season.
“Absolutely. There’s no doubt about it,” LaFleur said. “You’re talking about the guy who is going to MVP of the league. We’re not in this position without him. I couldn’t be happier, not only with his performance, but how he led our football team. All the little things he does within that locker room to ensure everyone is locked in, focused, ready to go. Absolutely, he will be here, for a long time. I know I’ve said that before, but a long time.”
On numerous occasions, Gutekunst committed to Rodgers for next season and expressed strong belief that the presumptive MVP in 2020 would be in Green Bay for multiple seasons into the future.
“We’re really excited, not only for next year, but for the years to come. He’s playing at such a high level, that he always has,” Gutekunst said. “He’s our quarterback and he’s our leader.”
Rodgers threw a career-high and NFL-high 48 touchdown passes in 2020 and led the Packers to a 13-3 record and NFC North title for the second straight season. First-round pick Jordan Love is developing behind him, but Rodgers is under contract for the next three seasons.
Gutekunst refuted a report stating the Los Angeles Rams attempted to trade for Rodgers, and he didn’t comment on re-working Rodgers’ deal, but he was clear that the Packers would not be trading Rodgers under any circumstances this offseason.
“Absolutely not,” Gutekunst said.
Gutekunst said Rodgers is the “best player” he’s ever been around and he’s looking forward to “all the runs we’re going to try and make here over the next few years.”
“What we’re trying to do as an organization and what we’re trying to accomplish here we can’t do without Aaron Rodgers right now. He’s such a part of what we’ve done, and he’s such a part of what we’re doing right now, and certainly in the future.”
[lawrence-related id=55772,55752,55504,55469,55457,55453,55451,55405]
[listicle id=55743]