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ESPN’s Adam Schefter just dropped the biggest story of the day, and the NFL Draft hasn’t even started yet. Per Schefter, 2020 MVP Aaron Rodgers has told the Green Bay Packers he does not want to return to the team next year.
“Aaron Rodgers is so disgruntled with the Green Bay Packers that he has told some within the organization that he does not want to return to the team, league and team sources told ESPN on Thursday,” Schefter wrote.
The situation has gotten so bad for the Packers that the team has flown their president, general manager and head coach to Rodgers on three separate trips to smooth things over, but according to Schefter the veteran quarterback has not nudged from his stance.
As of now, the Packers appear to have no interest in moving Rodgers. In this offseason alone, they’ve been approached by both the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers about a potential trade, but both teams have been shut down. Green Bay has even reportedly offered a contract extension to Rodgers.
Here’s why Rodgers is upset, per Schefter:
Rodgers is unhappy for a variety of reasons, with some of it dating back to last year’s draft when the Packers didn’t inform him before trading up to draft a quarterback with their first-round pick. Some took this as a sign that his days in Green Bay could he numbered.
He also is at a different point in his personal life, having recently gotten engaged to actress Shailene Woodley. Rodgers also has hosted “Jeopardy!” and said it would be a dream to become the full-time host. He could play football and host Jeopardy! together.
It’s been a crazy offseason for disgruntled quarterback, and this would be the biggest of them all.
UPDATE: Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network gave their perspective on the situation, suggesting contract talks have been an issue, and there is little chance of him getting traded:
The #Packers remain committed to Aaron Rodgers. @TomPelissero said there is “zero” chance of trading him. It’s all about getting an extension done… and if that happens, this should take care of the matter (until next time). https://t.co/Lv56tHCC6M
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 29, 2021
UPDATE 2: Jay Glazer and Schefter report this is about more than a contract dispute:
This, as @JayGlazer knows, is about way more than a new contract. https://t.co/Zz6hAlQnk1
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 29, 2021
UPDATE 3: Per Trey Wingo, the Packers—at one point—promised they’d trade him this offseason... then backed off.
Sources: The Packers reportedly told Aaron Rodgers they were going to trade him in the off season, then backed off. It’s been a bleep show between them ever since. And within the last week Rodgers told the team.. trade or no trade I’m not coming back. Buckle up folks
— trey wingo (@wingoz) April 29, 2021
UPDATE 4: Rodgers’ wish list is apparently the 49ers, Broncos and Raiders, per ProFootballTalk.