More and more, the rift between Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers looks centered directly on a conflict between Rodgers and general manager Brian Gutekunst.
Reporting from Bob McGinn of The Athletic confirmed a previous report from Yahoo Sports that Rodgers wants Gutrekunst out as the Packers general manager, and he also reported that the MVP quarterback has openly mocked Gutekunst in group text messages with teammates.
Per McGinn, Rodgers has mockingly referred to Gutekunst as Jerry Krause, the long-time Chicago Bulls general manager. Krause’s conflict with Michael Jordan – now well-documented on the recent ESPN documentary “The Last Dance” – ended up killing off the Bulls dynasty in the 1990s.
After the draft, Gutekunst said Rodgers has not directly told him that he wants him out as general manager.
Still, issues with Gutekunst appear to be the biggest reason Rodgers does not want to return to Green Bay. McGinn also reported the Packers have offered to make Rodgers the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL, suggesting the contract is no longer a holdup in Rodgers returning.
Gutekunst was hired to take over for Ted Thompson following the 2017 season. As the Packers general manager, Gutekunst has reshaped the team and moved on from several long-time teammates of Rodgers, including Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Clay Matthews, potentially creating a bread crumb trail of decisions leading up to this point.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported earlier this week that the Packers’ decision to release Jake Kumerow in early September of last year was somewhat of a last straw for Rodgers.
Of course, Gutekunst also traded up in the 2020 draft to take Jordan Love in the first round, blindsiding Rodgers and potentially escalating the conflict.
Gutekunst and the Packers have insisted they will not trade Rodgers, who is under contract for the next three seasons.
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