Cory's Corner: Packers Are Most Definitely All-In

Green Bay brass realizes how important Aaron Rodgers is to this team. 

The Packers appear true to their word. 

But this isn’t just about bringing Aaron Rodgers back — which is obviously what bringing Tom Clements out of retirement is all about. 

Nope, the question now is, what’s next? If Rodgers is coming back, then I would imagine Davante Adams is going to follow.

Does this mean podcast extraordinaire Pat McAfee is going to be Green Bay’s punter and Jordy Nelson will climb down off the combine and add to the team’s wide receiving depth?

General manager Brian Gutekunst is laying down the red carpet for Rodgers. I don’t mind this, as long as Rodgers understands that if he stays in Green Bay, it’s about building upon his already lofty legacy. It isn’t about cash, because he has already been paid. Adams, on the other hand, is about getting his top dollar. He’s the top wideout in the league and has been named a first team All-Pro in back-to-back seasons. 

Rodgers is 38, but he is coming off back-to-back MVP seasons. He gives the Packers the best chance to win. In the last two years, he has thrown for 85 touchdowns and nine picks.

I don’t think this is posturing. I don’t think the Packers are trying to save face here. Remember, the Packers lost Nathaniel Hackett to the Denver Broncos and lost Luke Getsy to the Chicago Bears. Clements doesn’t have a connection to this coaching staff, but since he has been with the organization from 2006-2016, it makes perfect sense. This was all about making Rodgers comfortable. The Packers likely went to Rodgers and asked what it would take and the one name he dropped was arguably one of his favorite pro coaches. 

This could also be taken another way. Gutekunst traded up in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft to take a quarterback that many had slotted as a second round pick. Bringing back Clements is Gutekunst’s way of saying, “My bad.” Granted, I still don’t know how good Love is, or how good he can potentially be. I think Love can be decent but obviously, he cannot match Rodgers’ limitless ceiling. 

Which begs the question, does Love stay or is it worth it to try and find a suitor? I highly doubt the Packers can even get a second rounder right now, only because Love still looks timid at the line of scrimmage. 

And that may make Love upset, but Rodgers was a late first round pick as well and he sat for three years behind the waffling Brett Favre. 

So let’s say Rodgers and Adams are back in the fold. The next person that needs to come back is De’Vondre Campbell. I would argue that the reason the defense had a resurgence this past year was because they actually addressed the middle of that defense. For far too long, the inside linebacker position has been forgotten. Campbell resurrected a career under Packers first-year defensive coordinator Joe Barry. 

“That’s a guy who walked in the building, studied his butt off, got the plays and started making the plays right away,” said Rashan Gary this past October. 

It sounds like Rodgers is in the pool and I would argue that Adams will jump in after that. Don’t underestimate the defense in the equation. 

Not to mention, this is going to take a decent amount of financial gymnastics by Packers Director of Football Operations Russ Ball. According to OverTheCap.com, the Packers are currently $50.7 million over the cap. I would expect even more money to be kicked down the road in an effort to win at all costs right now. 

We have always talked about the definition of all-in. If this isn’t all-in, I am not sure what is. 

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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2 points
 

Comments (100)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
ricky's picture

February 19, 2022 at 07:09 am

Here we go again. The Packers win the North; they have a good enough record to get home field advantage during the playoffs. In the playoffs, they are in a tight game, and suddenly there are only two players on the field: Rodgers and Adams. And they lose again, even if there are other options on the field that are open. This has been the scenario the last two years. Why would this one be any different? I am not happy about writing this; no gloating, no "I told you so". Just that doing the same thing again and again, expecting a different outcome, doesn't seem like a way to get another SB win.

21 points
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SwedeBayPacker's picture

February 19, 2022 at 08:33 am

I'm not an expert on football, far from. But even I can see the tendency of Rodgers starring down Adams on every other drive. He just keeps ignoring wide-open receivers for the chance at the big play. Again, and again, and again. In all honesty, it's embarrassing. A QB of that calibre shouldn't get tunnel vision. He threw a hissy fit to get Cobb back, and for what? He kept ignoring him even when he got open (Tom Brady on the other hand looks down the field, he knows where every WR is, and makes the easy pass that results in a first down even if it's just a few yards).

Que MLF voluntarily taking the blame at the press conference as to not piss off Rodgers and his toxic personality. Yeah yeah, Rodgers is one of the most talented players of all time and blah blah blah. I'm just tired of his hero ball antics and his inability to trust the game plan, and I am ready to move on even if it means we'll suck for a decade. You can't put a band-aid on a festering wound.

7 points
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Michael Nault's picture

February 19, 2022 at 09:33 am

I am with you on that statemet

3 points
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NickPerry's picture

February 19, 2022 at 07:27 am

While I totally agree the Tom Clements hire was one mostly made in of making sure Rodgers is back in 2022, but IMO Clements is also one hell of a QB Coach. We all know what he did for Rodgers career, but he helped Favre be better and Matt Flynn earned a $15 million contract with the help of Clements tutelage, and a couple of unbelievable games by Flynn. He also help coach a few Pittsburgh Steeler QB's to the Pro Bowl, Cordell Stewart and Tommy Maddox, as well as Elvis Grbac when he was with the Chiefs. Not too shabby...

I also like the idea of him coaching Love. So many folks here and everywhere else are CERTAIN Love is a bust. Personally I find that amusing. I mean, I think of myself as a pretty knowledgeable fan, but I don't for a second really think I know who's a bust and who's not this early in a players career. If I REALLY did, I'd be working in the NFL making a lot more money than I am now... But seriously, I just don't think we've seen enough of Love to really know. IMO last season was really his first due to COVID. Hey, he could very well be a bust, but I'd like to see him get another year, WITH Clements. No offense to Getsy, but Clements has been coaching for 28 years, soon to be 29, and had a pretty impressive career as a player. Getsy is 38 years old...Granted, he didn't play in the NFL, but if you look at his career in the CFL, Clements was a BALLER, and brings TONS of experience, which IMO might be a good thing on this staff.

No matter what it sure seems like Rodgers is coming back. IF he signs a contract playing him Mahomes like money or MORE, I'm going to be really pissed. Yes, I know the Packers can push everything down the road. But the aftermath of that after Rodgers is long gone will take years to come back from. Look at the Saints, still 80 million over the cap in year two after Brees retired. The Packers are headed the same direction. I hope it's worth it.

22 points
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gkarl's picture

February 19, 2022 at 07:47 am

NP,

100% agree with your last paragraph. I just hope Clement is as good this time around as he was previously.

6 points
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egbertsouse's picture

February 19, 2022 at 07:52 am

Maybe Love is a late bloomer but at this point he hasn’t shown anything. The fact that it is year 3 (Yes, the Covid season counts.) and the FO is selling out to make certain he doesn’t ever see the field for another couple years is a good indication that they don’t see him as the next Mahomes. Clements better coach his butt off because Love doesn’t look any better than he he did at Utah State.n

-4 points
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Coldworld's picture

February 19, 2022 at 08:47 am

The FO could do that a lot cheaper without doing this.

In any case, I disagree with your statement that it is effectively year 3 in anything but name. No preseason and not running the scout team in ‘21 was a wasted year for the most part. He threw more in one pre season weekend than all of 2021. Maybe we learn more this preseason. Until then he’s a mystery as far as I’m concerned and is a non factor in the bring back Rodgers or not debate too.

7 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

February 19, 2022 at 10:46 am

These dudes can get prepped and trained in the off-season by QB gurus working on their mechanics and strength. Love as most WCO quarterbacks needs to work on his footwork and timing with release. They have simulators just like the one next to the 19th hole at the golf course. He has the play sets on the computer. He can Zoom with coaches just as easily as falling asleep listening to McCarthy's monologues.

-2 points
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Coldworld's picture

February 20, 2022 at 10:16 am

I don’t think you understand what the old QB school was. It was intensive on and off the field for months of the off season, as Flynn and Rodgers have testified. The best insight I’ve seen comes from Hassleback though:

“With Favre in Mississippi, McCarthy and Hasselbeck spent nearly every day together in the off-season of 1999. Two single guys living the high life in Green Bay. They hit the classroom and the field daily. All practice reps and drills were compared to McCarthy's quarterbacks in Kansas City at that exact point of their development.

In the evening, McCarthy invited Hasselbeck over to grill steak and talk about Joe Montana, the West Coast offense, the future. And if they were feeling adventurous? The two headed to Wal-Mart together.

"There weren't a ton of people around," Hasselbeck said. "There wasn't a ton going on. We just studied a lot of football."

Hasselbeck grew up fast, receding hairline and all. After one player-run, seven-on-seven session, Hasselbeck remembers Donald Driver and all the young receivers viewing him as a veteran. He was 24.

"I'm losing my hair and know the offense so well," Hasselbeck said. "They think I'm a seven-year vet just because (McCarthy) had taught me the offense so well." Tyler Dunne https://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/mccarthy-can-teach-qbs-with-...

That is sadly impossible now under current CBA terms. Rodgers had 3 years of that before he started.

1 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 19, 2022 at 04:52 pm

I have to quibble with the notion that Love is a non-factor.

2 points
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Coldworld's picture

February 19, 2022 at 05:01 pm

Quibble away. As far as I’m concerned the decision is keep or don’t keep Rodgers. Only after that is made does one get to what is done with Love. As such, not a factor.

1 points
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Coldworld's picture

February 19, 2022 at 08:48 am

If this comes to pass, it’s a searing indictment of our leadership. The epitome of hope in the face of overwhelming evidence and at enormous cost to the future. No expectations for the resulting team this year. More saliently, probably not until the 2030s.

Yes, it’s that bad an idea to mortgage the future for aging player and surrounding cast that will be weaker, have thrice failed with a good roster and many more times with the lesser ones preceding those.

Murphy says he’s not stupid. If this is true, then it says that he is. It would also indicate the disadvantages of an effectively unchecked corporate leadership inherent in our corporate structure.

2 points
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Coldworld's picture

February 19, 2022 at 09:21 am

One of the best posts in a long time NP. Sadly, in response to click bait stirring the pot that is doing CHTV a disservice.

It’s odd, but I’ve yet to see a real attempt at a compelling argument stating how retaining Rodgers on a major new contract makes sense. I’ve seen a TGR try and try to convince himself that even with future massive cap burdens we could construct a plausible roster, only to concede that we can’t.

I’ve seen Murph argue, reasonably, that Rodgers gets the best results for us next year of any option, something I concede willingly. To me that’s not a reason sufficient to justify selling the next half decade and more. I don’t care about a division title next year. I care about a plan to win out as early as possible: retaining Rodgers now isn’t it. That died in Lambeau in January this year. He and I just disagree.

Putting aside the “cap is an illusion” vacuous comments, no commentator on CHTV or elsewhere has given us a reasoned proposal for how this team can rationally be expected to be as strong as the last two years or be seen as a true contender. That is pretty telling in my view.

Without such a rationale supporting a realistic competitive status, the necessary cap shifting and resulting future handicapping is actually gross negligence, compounded by surrendering any remaining trade value in Rodgers. That’s not a sane course for the team under any circumstances.

It’s ironic that it could be that Rodgers is the best hope of saving the franchise Cory portrays from itself. If Cory’s conception is right, the real problem is LaFleur and Murphy and all who tow their line. Any who walk this path have no business being Packer employees.

3 points
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murf7777's picture

February 19, 2022 at 02:50 pm

CW…”. To me that’s not a reason sufficient to justify selling the next half decade and more. ”

this is where I don’t agree with you. Your suggesting that by keeping Rodgers you are throwing away 5 years. I would think it to be 3-4 years. Also, you have to subtract the damage already done. If Rodgers leave we will have 2-3 years of rebuilding already. So, I feel it is more like 1-2 years more rebuilding if we keep Rodgers. By keeping Rodgers it provides us 2-3 year window at the SB.

1 points
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dobber's picture

February 19, 2022 at 03:12 pm

"By keeping Rodgers it provides us 2-3 year window at the SB."

You're an optimistic man, my friend.

3 points
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murf7777's picture

February 19, 2022 at 03:56 pm

I am an optimist with a realistic viewpoint. He’s back to back MVP, hardly a reach. I would say just the opposite. It is a pessimistic view thinking a team with Arod wouldn’t be a contender for the SB. They can keep a lot of this team together by negotiating and extending contracts. I’d take a bet that if they keep Arod they will be in the top 10 odds to win the SB.

1 points
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Coldworld's picture

February 19, 2022 at 03:58 pm

Murf, we just differ. My window ended when the roster peaked this year. The chances, in my mind, after that are negligible. Not absolutely nil but not a lot greater. That is not all Rodgers’ mindset or age, but those are part of it. It’s also the off field acumen I believe was an equally significant part and that this is obscured by Rodgers and the inevitable decline of the roster and roster depth. The cost in future is just the toxic icing on the cake.

I hope that you are right, but I think the chances are so small of success in contrast to those of declining steadily while the aftermath gets even uglier. Bleak, yes, but honest.

2 points
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dobber's picture

February 19, 2022 at 04:36 pm

This team just spent the better part of a decade during which many years were the hope-and-a-prayer, "so long as we have ARod, we have a chance" mentality. That's where we're headed if he's retained, again.

I wonder how many people here who were openly critical of that before are calling for the Packers to bring 12 back now?

4 points
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BirdDogUni's picture

February 19, 2022 at 04:58 pm

I think many 'fans' are ready to move on, but if the FO brings him back, 'fans' either have to whine and bitch or accept it. We only control how we react to things. AR did not play like an MVP in the Divisional Round, but that doesn't mean he can't this year if we do a few things differently, get a few breaks, and the STs don't lose it for us.

On the record: I am not for bringing AR/DA back at the expense of our future Cap Situation, especially when we could potentially trade him for picks and players that will get us right back into the conversation in a much better Cap environment. My problem is, nobody gives a shit what I think or want.

If the FO tries to "Run it Back" with AR/DA etc... I have to accept it, or bitch all year, which I don't like or want to do. I will admit, if AR is on the team and healthy, we always have a chance. That is reality.

2 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

February 20, 2022 at 12:08 pm

Like we all said for the last six years, bring in a WR with the # one pick and bag a real TE. No need for projects.
I do not see any logic in extending Adams.

0 points
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BirdDogUni's picture

February 19, 2022 at 05:48 pm

I still feel the best case scenario for the Packers as an organization is if AR comes back, only to ask for a trade. (Maybe he already has? IDK)

The only way Mark Murphy doesn't run this organization into the ground is if AR takes the ball out of his hands.

Just saying.

4 points
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jurp's picture

February 19, 2022 at 07:55 am

Cory, pretty much every draft analyst in 2020 had Jordan Love as a first round pick, not a second rounder as you state. Please - cite your sources for your claim. Secondly, saying that Clements' return is to get Rodgers "his favorite coach" without Rodgers actually saying that is hyperbole. The evidence (for example, Rodgers going off-script during games, his lack of listening to anyone who tells him "don't go to Davantae all the time") is that, at this point in his career, Mr. Rodgers knows best and is basically uncoachable. Clements' hiring is, in my opinion, a hire for Love and Benkert and is irrelevant to whether AR stays or goes.

I mean, what's the team going to do if AR doesn't listen to Clements? Sit him? Ha.

I also recommend that you stop putting thoughts into people's heads - insinuating that Love having to sit another year is frustrating to him is an insult to Love, since he has been a perfect professional, essentially keeping his head down with all the shit flying around and idiots calling him a bust. Give the kid a break. And why should we trade Love when we need a decent backup, and he looked good enough in the little action he's seen? What's the effing point in that?

We just saw the results of the team going "all in" to win, and they weren't pretty. Given our cap constraints, we'll HAVE to be less all-in this year than last, simply based on the players we'll have to lose or miss out on re-signing (Douglas, probably Campbell). Signing AR will be a huge mistake, unless you liked the Lynn Dickey years.

12 points
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LambeauPlain's picture

February 19, 2022 at 11:52 am

I view the hiring of Clements as Matt getting as good a replacement as possible for Getsy, who received a huge promotion to run the "bare" offense.

Creating the soap opera that Rodgers demanded Clements as a condition for his return is based on nothing but conjecture and a huge dose of hyperbole.

Clements was out of football for a year and like most NFL coaches...many do return after the hiatus.

Matt: "Hey Aaron, what do you think about Tom Clements? I have followed his career, really respect him and think he's one of the best coaches available out there."

Aaron: "Tom is a great coach. Hope you could convince him to return to coaching. You would like him, Matt!"

Matt: "I am going to call him."

Aaron: "You have my thumbs up!"

9 points
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BirdDogUni's picture

February 19, 2022 at 05:54 pm

Excellent work LP... ; )

My hope is the conversation went like this:

Matt: "Hey A-a-Ron - Have you made up your mind whether you're coming back or not and what are your thoughts on a QB Coach for next year?"

A-a-Ron: "Yeah Eyebrows, I have. Decided I'll ask for a trade to Denver to play for Hackett, but you better call Clements for Jordan Love, because he's going to need him!"

:)

5 points
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mbpacker's picture

February 19, 2022 at 07:58 am

What would we all do if there wasn't drama in GB during the off season? It would be good to know what that feels like, but here we are! GPG!

3 points
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2
croatpackfan's picture

February 20, 2022 at 02:52 am

To answer your question! We would enjoy constructive discussions about possible new drafties, talking about new additions to coaching staff, discussing on who FO should spare additional draft picks and respect in discussions all participants.

2 points
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HarryHodag's picture

February 19, 2022 at 07:59 am

Here's what the Packers have lacked in the past 30 years: toughness. It was true with Mike Holmgren, Mike Sherman, Mike McCarthy and now Matt LF. Ron Wolf hired Ray Rhodes after Holmgren left to put together a team that was 'tougher'. Well the team was tougher, but the same team that was in a Super Bowl became mediocre and Rhodes was fired for Sherman.

The San Francisco game in the playoffs is a prime example. The one factor the 49'ers had all over Green Bay was toughness. As the game went on they wouldn't be moved. Packers fans have gotten so accustomed to finesse football they've forgotten that the winners are usually the tougher team. Kenny Clark is an exception along with Campbell, maybe Alexander.

If the Packers go 'all in' again, they better figure out a way to learn to dominate teams at the line of scrimmage and not rely on Rodgers to pull it out of his......

2 points
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Coldworld's picture

February 19, 2022 at 08:08 am

Which nicely sums up just one reason why selling out to keep Rodgers would be so deeply flawed.

0 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

February 19, 2022 at 08:49 am

It would have been nice to have Jenkins and Bhaktiari starting for the O line too. Shuffling the deck with Nijman sitting was an ominous sign of things to come in that game. As you stated , it all starts up front. Three years of Lancaster taking up space can be another rabbit-hole to sneak down.

9 points
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13TimeChamps's picture

February 19, 2022 at 10:23 am

I have to disagree with your assessment that the Holmgren teams weren't tough. Say what you will about Favre and his interceptions, but name me a QB that was tougher....I'll wait. Reggie wasn't tough? Frankie 'Bag of Doughnuts" Winters...William Henderson. There was plenty of "tough" on those teams

14 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

February 19, 2022 at 11:05 am

Wayne Simmons, Craig Newsome, Sean Jones...

2 points
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Oppy's picture

February 19, 2022 at 05:39 pm

Travis-freakin-Jervey was even tough as nails.

4 points
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LambeauPlain's picture

February 19, 2022 at 10:37 am

Harry, I am not ready to indict Matt as not "tough". He loves pounding the ball as a key component to soften up the front 7.

However, I was perplexed why he mostly abandoned the run game and the 2-3 second quick passing game after Big Dog fumbled. That shows questionable game day adjustments, not a lack of toughness.

How the Packers managed all the injuries to be the top seed in the NFC shows me a tough minded, no excuses, next man up culture.

I also do not think Holmgren teams were not "tough". Favre was probably the toughest NFL QB in history and Holmgren coached him that way...and the Fritz Schumer D was probably the toughest Packer D since the days of Vince.

9 points
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HarryHodag's picture

February 19, 2022 at 04:07 pm

I specifically recall Wolf's(Hall of Famer) statement that the Packers had gone 'soft' as his reason for hiring Ray Rhodes. So you can argue with him, not me.

I remember when the Packers brought in Simmons it was specifically to add more 'toughness' to the defense, which had been exposed.

All of you mentioned tough players. But Wolf never forgot the second Super Bowl when Denver pushed the Packers around to win the title. It reminded me a bit of this year.

2 points
3
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LeotisHarris's picture

February 19, 2022 at 06:58 pm

I don't recall the Broncos pushing the Packers around to win the title, Harry. I have vivid memories of a gassed Gilbert Brown lying on his back from being made to chase Terrell Davis sideline to sideline for four quarters. That loss wasn't about a lack of toughness, it was about being outcoached and overconfident.

Forrest Gregg's Packers were tough And dirty They didn't win. Wolf knew Ray Rhodes was a players coach. Remember the stories of Rhodes literally taking a backseat in a vehicle to give a player a ride in the front back from the practice field? You're wishing for a time that never happened.

4 points
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murf7777's picture

February 19, 2022 at 08:10 am

Those that have debated me about Rodgers I pose this question. If one of the three NFC championship games went differently and Arod made it to the SB one or two more times would that change you opinion of keeping or sending Arod down the road?

I understand the SC as good as most on here and realize that keeping Arod will put us deeper into SC hell. How much does that make a difference of SC hell I don’t think any of us really know. Let’s just say its two extra years vs how we are now. I’ve seen some state like 5 years, which just isn’t the case cuz most contracts are shorter and will end. Since we are already in SC hell and have to rebuild, why not take 2 or even three more years of winning vs losing? Make no mistake about it we will lose if Arod is gone with our SC situation. When Rodgers came in to take over for Favre we didn’t have this bad of a SC situation so that isn’t a comparison. We also went 6-10 in year one with Rodgers. In addition, nothing against Love, but I suspect Love won’t be as good as Rodgers. This fan based is spoiled by success and the 70’s and 80’s are far in the past. We just assume we will win consistently again.

I agree that winning the SB is the pinnacle but the reality is doing so takes many things to go your way... Many times a QB doesn’t even have a say in. One or two plays makes the difference. Sometimes those plays are dictated by the Refs. Sometimes its coaching decisions and not necessarily HC. Take the ST coaching in our last game as an example. It might be the WR missing a key third down catch when the throw was put right into the bread basket. It could be the RB couldn’t get the one yard on 4th and 1.. hmm, I believe the SB was won that way this year. One team did it and the other didn’t. The list goes on and on…..

No matter how good your team looks on paper, All you can hope for is to get into the playoffs and a chance to reach the pinnacle. Only one team leaves happy. I want three more years of Rodgers and the playoffs over two more years of SC hell and no playoffs. There’s a reason professional FO’s are touted that many are willing to give up a lot of capital to obtain his services. GPG with Rodgers.

0 points
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7
Coldworld's picture

February 19, 2022 at 09:30 am

Rodgers an the Bucs 2021? Now that would possibly make sense. What doesn’t is the difference in what our roster will be this year and the future harm invited to retain him.

There is really no point in discussing recent failures, since they were overwhelming and carried many common themes. They aren’t all on Rodgers, but the point is that the game involves more than a QB, he comes with a package of roster and coaching. Those losses weren’t despite Rodgers brilliance either.

I do respect your perspective Murf. I just do not share the value you put on being better this year or what I see as your take that you think there is a meaningful chance of Rodgers plus the roster he will have around him getting us further.

As I see it, keeping Rodgers is as if we are just climbing farther out on a tree limb: delaying the fall, but making it greater and harder to recover from.

1 points
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WestCoastPackerBacker's picture

February 19, 2022 at 10:54 am

Thanks for taking the time to make such a great breakdown of the situation. It just seems if you have a Hall of Fame talent you don’t move on while he is still playing at an MVP level, particularly if you don’t have confidence in the guy waiting to take his place. I just don’t see Green Bay being relevant at all for multiple seasons if Rodgers leaves. Yes they didn’t get the job done at the most important time in the playoffs for the last three seasons. But that doesn’t take away from being able to watch some of the most amazing football played then I’ve seen in my decades of watching from Bart Starr through Brett Favre. We’re just not likely to see that kind of mastery again anytime soon. I enjoy that for its own sake, even if they don’t bring home the ultimate trophy.At the same time, in reality who gives you the better chance to win the ultimate title, of course it’s number 12.

5 points
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BruceC1960's picture

February 19, 2022 at 02:31 pm

Seems like you’re totally overlooking the financial position this puts the Packers in for the next few years. They’ll continue to drop existing contracts and talent . Not sure how they stay competitive.

1 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

February 20, 2022 at 12:11 pm

Draft efficiently.

0 points
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jurp's picture

February 19, 2022 at 04:56 pm

" If one of the three NFC championship games went differently and Arod made it to the SB one or two more times would that change you opinion of keeping or sending Arod down the road? "

Good question, and I'm not being sarcastic. This would actually be a good article.

My answer: No. AR is beginning his decline, is impervious to coaching, and is a major distraction for the team. It is well-known that he has worked with the coaching staff to alter the offensive to one that he wants to run; it is suspected that he ignores/changes the plays called in from the sidelines. He has eyes only for his security blanket when the games gets tough. It is time for a change to the offense that MLF originally designed and has not yet been able to run.

-3 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 19, 2022 at 06:11 pm

I should think that a ruthless GM with a MANDATE to get a team out of cap hell could hold a couple of fire sales and get a team out of cap hell in two off-seasons. That means the GM won't get fired for going 3-14 in his first 2 or 3 seasons.

There might be a couple of particularly awful contracts under which the player can't reasonably be moved for three more seasons, but those are pretty rare. The team as a whole should be in decent shape after two seasons even if there are a couple of guys who can't be moved in just two.

How many seasons it takes really depends on if the team rips off the band aids or wants a soft landing.

NO did only as much as they had to last year: they were also concerned about putting a decent team on the field in the interim. I call that the soft-landing approach. They weren't ruthless last season and managed to go 9-8.

I think it was two years when there was an article about other North division teams and the author looked at the Detroit Lions. I looked at what Bob Quinn was doing and wondered why in the world was he deferring cap when his team is terrible? He was using void years for multiple players (and they were not great players - TE Jesse James IIRC) on a 3-13 team to make it under the cap. The answer was he couldn't afford another terrible season as his leash was short. Their new GM for 2021 only rolled over $1.07M into the 2022 while managing to go, yep, 3-13. The new guy big signing was Jamaal Williams and Tyrell Williams at $4.7M for one year, so even that was more than I'd have done. Detroit does have $21M in cap space, but a terrible team for many years should not be both bad and mediocre on the cap.

1 points
2
1
Oppy's picture

February 19, 2022 at 05:50 pm

This team has already been going through a rebuild since the day Gute took over. There are young, ascending, core players that will be up for 2nd contracts that are the future of the Packers that will probably have to be allowed to walk if Rodgers/Adams are kept.

Those players are investments in time and resources for the future of the team. If a player like Jaire Alexander or Rashan Gary can't be extended for example, that is what a 3-5 year setback looks like. We will have to invest in new players and develop them and hope they turn out.

2nd and 3rd contracts are where players reach their apex, and 2nd contracts are where you get the best performance-to-pay ratio.

3 points
5
2
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 19, 2022 at 06:48 pm

Sorry, I'd like to add to my remarks. If GB signs AR to an extension plus 4 or 6 more guys who are a little risky due to age or injury, then one season of cap insecurity would be 2022. These five year deals would run through 2027 for proration purposes and the guaranteed money would end normally after 2022 signing bonuses but option bonuses not until after the 2023 season.

If it does not work in 2022 with what they can bring back, then not much could be done in 2023 with such newly signed contracts. They could refrain from adding to any problems by not acquiring too many players and/or retaining some coming up, but more of those coming up would be young good players or marginal and cheap anyway. Some significant trims would be made in 2024 but it depends on whether the team is iffy, or whether the team failed to make the playoffs, for example, but perhaps not too many in 2024 (beware option bonuses paid in 2023!). Are we still just a piece away? The real work would be done in 2025. GB could start signing UFAs in 2026, if not with wild abandon, at least they could be in on some higher priced players if they so desired.

A couple of really good or really bad drafts could easily be the difference here. Gutekunst's contract expires after the 2022 season IIRC, but they will probably extend him soon and may have already done so.

2 points
2
0
croatpackfan's picture

February 20, 2022 at 10:56 am

TGR as I like a lot your explanation about salary cap and all those maths you do, I have to disagree with your explanation how rising up the salary cap in future, will able Packers to push the money in to the future.

I agree that SC will be higher a lot from 2023 due to the new contract for TV rights. But, as salary cap rise there are still limits for players salaries. Any important or impact player will not demand the same salary as today. If they will demand av 30 mills today they will demand av 50 mills because SC is much higher. If you are not willing to pay player that amount of money, there will be the team with lesser dead money in their books which will sign him to that demand. Who might be from Packers? Let say Rashan Gary, Jaire Alexander, Kenny Clark, E. Jenkins, AJ Dillon etc.

If you have 40% of SC bound in dead money, you will not be able to keep your important and/or impact players, because you will still be short for the demands. Davante Adams knows that and that is the reason he demands av 30 mill per season. Not because this is today's value, but that will be tomorrow's value and if he will be signing multi year deal, he wants adequate money.

That is how business is functioning. And that is how you can sink any company, if you are not thinking about future and if you are not ready to undrgo some "bad year(s)".

I will not go in the direction "what if...", but after all if Jordan Love become possible 3rd in the row HOF QB for the Packers, you will need to trade him or release him, because you will not be able to give him contract he deserve...

0 points
0
0
barutanseijin's picture

February 19, 2022 at 08:47 am

Hoping for some new programming from the Green Bay NFL affiliate. I’m getting tired of reruns.

5 points
6
1
Alberta_Packer's picture

February 19, 2022 at 08:54 am

I had previously posted that in order for the Packers to move forward, the FO would have to demonstrate 3 qualities - vision, acumen and courage. A Rodgers return represents maintenance of the status quo. If so, the FO would be 0-3 in these key elements - just like Rodgers playoff record in the last 3 years.

5 points
9
4
EnemyTerritory's picture

February 19, 2022 at 05:23 pm

Lemmings marching off the salary cap cliff and out of the playoffs in the first or second round. A hard landing is coming sooner or later. Use the parachute. Teams are sniffing about for QB1. Tag and trade WR1. Get what you can for QB2. Bring in a starter FA QB. See what MLF can do without a hof QB. Consider moving on from bahktiari if need be.

0 points
2
2
1 points
1
0
Michael Nault's picture

February 19, 2022 at 09:29 am

As long as Rodgers and Adams are in GB together, they will never win a Super Bowl. Rodgers gets fixated on Adams and can't see anyone else. Trade him, he has screwed us enough

5 points
11
6
LambeauPlain's picture

February 19, 2022 at 10:19 am

Have QB needy teams been in contact with the Packers? Most likely yes. Gutey saying "we aren't trading Rodgers" doesn't mean he is not listening to offers. Not listening to offers would be the height of GM incompetence. And I do not see Gutey as incompetent.

When he says "we aren't trading him" he simply means "we aren't trading him today". I do think showing the roster strategy outline to Rodgers is prudent.

Rodgers did say "I am not interested in a rebuild". He may be shown a "roster rebuild" strategy that cools his interest in returning. Then Gutey can tell him "we are doing the best we can but it may not be to your liking. Just so you know, we have two trade offers on the table...one from Denver and the other Pittsburg".

8 points
8
0
Jordan's picture

February 19, 2022 at 03:27 pm

I don’t think Gute is making that decision. In my opinion, the Executive Committee has told Murphy that they want Rodgers back. Rodgers gives them the best chance at a winning season and will be most profitable to the team and local Brown County businesses.

Also, they don’t want another Favre fiasco. They want Rodgers to be an ambassador for the team after he retires. If Rodgers doesn’t get exactly what he wants, he will hold a grudge. I mean the dude doesn’t even talk to his own family.

1 points
3
2
jurp's picture

February 19, 2022 at 05:01 pm

If what you write is true, it is a textbook example of a corporate governing body ignoring its fiduciary duty to work towards the long-term financial health of the business and its maintenance of the business's brand.

Short-term results in favor of long-term stability with the resulting damaged brand (and decrease in share price/dividends) is actionable by shareholders in a normally set up corporation, although such suits are extremely rare nowadays.This doesn't apply to a non-profit like GBP Inc., of course, but that doesn't mean that the EC shouldn't be entirely replaced and Murphy fired.

3 points
3
0
LeotisHarris's picture

February 19, 2022 at 07:27 pm

Jordan, pop on over to the Packers website and check out the individual professional backgrounds of the Executive Committee members. While you're there, review the role of the Executive Committee. What you're suggesting is beyond their professional capabilities and not within the scope of their role.

1 points
2
1
Jordan's picture

February 20, 2022 at 12:01 am

@leotisharris

Aaron Rodgers is the face of the franchise. I promise you, the Executive Commitee is involved with the Rodgers situation. The lead Executive Committee member owns a Public Relations firm. They remember the Favre fiasco. They had to bring in Ari Fleischer (George W Bush administration) to handle PR with the Favre debacle. The Rodgers situation is highly political.

Although I personally despise Rodgers, there’s millions of people that adore him. There’s millions of people that would be dumbfounded and wouldn’t understand how they could get rid of him especially after he has back-to-back MVPs. They blame the packers loss to 49ers on special teams even though Rodgers could only muster 10 points on his home field.

The status quo is the easiest way out. Any other option will result in bitter divided fans. …a fiasco.

Truck drivers will block Lombardi Avenue and demand free ivermectin and their hero Rodgers to return. Ok, I made that last part up. ;)

-1 points
1
2
LeotisHarris's picture

February 20, 2022 at 03:47 pm

I enjoy your sense of humor, Jordan. I see the Board, and the EC as a collection of individuals in place thanks to who they know. I don't see them involved in football operations; that's what Murphy and Gute are for, and they dance for the Board and EC. I don't see the EC driving the bus (even if they may fret about a big rig blockade). Mr Ariens wants to sell more snow throwers, someone needs to decide if the Kwik Trip Gate will replace the Farm & Fleet Gate, and how much revenue can be increased if they can somehow monetize the air around 1265.

Aaron was the face of Prevea Health until he wasn't. He'll be the face of the Packers until he isn't, too. We'll always have Lambeau, Lombardi, Hutson and all those HOFers. Fans will keep coughing up cash as long as the Packers can sell the sizzle.

0 points
0
0
Jordan's picture

February 20, 2022 at 06:31 pm

I don’t think the EC would ever involve themselves in routine football operations. I see this more as a public relations matter of the highest magnitude.

They’re going to play it safe.

And let the narcissistic whacko quietly ride off in to the sunset as a Packer. No witch hunts. No rigged games. No fake punts. No stolen rings. No cancelled cultures. No “I’m a victim” podcasts. Just give him plenty of scotch and Tucker Carlson every night and let him go quietly to sleep.

0 points
0
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 20, 2022 at 02:40 am

I don't think it is beyond the scope of their authority. If the Board of Directors says you are fired, you are fired. If the Executive Committee says you're fired, I suspect you're fired or are going to be fired, but I don't know for sure.

I went to packers.com and found nothing that was not so vague as to be useless. I do know that the President/CEO or his designee has to sign a host of documents that are sent to the NFL, including certifications and contracts. I don't know if Murphy retains discretion about designating others as long as he is CEO, but one would think so.

In other words, I don't know the nuts and bolts of how things work.

Looking at the qualifications of the members of the EC, they should have no role in deciding the fate of AR. I do think the CEO and GM better be right though. I suppose if the plan is to give him $50-$75M, Jaire $20M, Adams $30M, and four more guys $10M each, that kind of money might not be sitting in a checking account: some of it might have to come out of the Reserve Fund. I don't know if the CEO/GM need permission, but if they drain the Reserve Fund to any unusual degree, again, they better be right.

1 points
1
0
Coldworld's picture

February 20, 2022 at 07:58 am

In effect Murphy controls who gets and remains on both the Executive Committee and the wider Board since he controls the nominations to both. That’s seldom a recipe for effective scrutiny.

3 points
3
0
SanLobo's picture

February 19, 2022 at 05:07 pm

I just read an article today stating that several teams have reached out to Green Bay to get a feel for a Rodgers trade and Green Bay has shown no interest in discussing a trade. I really don’t know what to believe.

1 points
1
0
BirdDogUni's picture

February 19, 2022 at 06:04 pm

The Godfather hasn't called yet...

He'll make Gutey an offer he can't refuse...

; P

0 points
0
0
Rossonero's picture

February 19, 2022 at 10:55 am

Remember that nearly a year ago the NFL announced new long-term agreements with its broadcasting partners (CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN/ABC, and Amazon)......that will bring in $10 billion in revenue each year for a decade -- starting in 2023. Hmm...

Are the Packers banking on these new agreements to alleviate the cap issues? Maybe. I can only speculate, but it sure seems possible, especially since the 2021 season saw mostly full stadiums once again.

For context, the NFL’s previous broadcasting deals brought in $4.4 billion per year, and that was enough to see the salary cap rise nearly $10 million each season. So if the news deals will bring in $10 billion in revenue each year, could we see the cap rise $20+ million each season?? I'd be curious for The Great Reynoldo's opinion on this.

Even if the cap rises $20 million in 2023, the Packers still have a long way to go and plenty of tough decisions to make. I just hope they can keep this defense together -- Amos, Campbell, Douglas, etc.

4 points
4
0
jannes bjornson's picture

February 19, 2022 at 11:15 am

Deep Thoughts from the Finance Dept. This seems more than probable. Let the accountants brawl among themselves.

1 points
2
1
Coldworld's picture

February 19, 2022 at 12:57 pm

The problems with this train of thought are that the cap elevation may not start till 2024 and the Packers, if they go down the route claimed here, will dump well over 20 million into next year and those following out of necessity. As Dobber has noted, even with the raise we will be hindered when we most need space and the player costs are accelerating fast.

1 points
3
2
Rossonero's picture

February 19, 2022 at 03:09 pm

I didn't think it might not kick in until 2024, good point. I just assumed it would kick in once the agreements kicked in. Fair point about player costs increasing fast too. To me, it's a high speed treadmill the Packers should step off of and re-load with draft picks for Rodgers and/or Adams, but I don't see that happening anymore with the recent moves the Packers have made to make Rodgers happy.

1 points
1
0
LeotisHarris's picture

February 19, 2022 at 07:30 pm

Yeah, that's all fine and dandy, but you can't trust dobber with anything. That mofos' fasting blood sugar level is in the 190s with all the processed sugar he eats!

2 points
2
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 19, 2022 at 08:14 pm

TL/DR: I expect some impact for the 2023 season (a couple and not the big deals commence in 2022) and a bigger impact for the 2024 season because the big deals start in 2023.

If you are masochistic enough to read Article 12 of the CBA, be my guest. It is awful. I have read it, albeit with my eyes glazing over. A fair amount can be digested but without any notion of what the numbers are for each category, I don't think one can say too much definitively.

Okay. Fox paid $3.3B for 5 years or $660M on average. What I don't know is the progression. Perhaps TNF paid $560M in 2017, $610M, $660M, $710M and $760M in 2021. Or it could have been $640M in 2017 to $680M in 2021. Now we can read that Amazon paid much more, over $1.1B per year. Fine, but what is the progression? What is 2022 worth versus 2021?

There are many reports that all the deals combined were worth $113B over 11 years, or $10.27B per year. Since it is an 11 year deal, one might assume that the NFL will get $10.27B in year 6, which is 2027 or 2028. [Some deals start in 2022 and others in 2023.]
So how much does the NFL get in 2022? What is the progression because I would bet it isn't a straight line.

I also see that the NFL was taking in $5.9B off its current deals in total and that the new $10.27B is about an 80% increase. I get 74% but maybe media folks can't use a calculator? The Wall Street Journal at least wrote 75% to 80% but it is behind a paywall. If $5.9B is what they got in 2021, then what will they get in 2022 off of just 2 of the deals. Sunday, Sunday night and Monday Night don't kick in until the 2023 season IIRC and that would affect 2024.

I'd expect $218M to $222M for a salary cap limit in 2023. Low $230s for 2024. CW read an OTC article on this that I couldn't find with a quick search.

1 points
1
0
PatrickGB's picture

February 19, 2022 at 11:32 am

I agree with the poster’s that feel kicking the can down the road is doable. Because, in my opinion, the road slopes down and the can goes further with an expanded cap. Right now it’s up to some key players (including Rodgers) to forgo money today with the expectation of money tomorrow. The transition from draft and development to a more intense win now started with Gutie. Even under Thompson the goal was to make it to the playoffs. This team has been competitive every year and there are not many teams that can claim that. The rub is that our draft choices have been in the later rounds. The only way around that is smart pick ups in FA and what Gutie did in gettting players like Douglas, Campbell and Mercyless as pickups. Plug and play and ride the players that they have. In my opinion, if not for the special teams gaff, we would have made it to the super bowl. The team will probably lose a few players this off-season but if we can keep the core and replace the departure of some players the team can make it to the playoffs again. Maybe not #1 seed but still be competitive.

3 points
6
3
jhtobias's picture

February 19, 2022 at 11:48 am

Let's assume rodgers is back for sake of argument. I can almost assure you that a condition will be to trade jordan love.

They have the same agent , and also I bet rodgers wants love to get a chance to suceed or fail on his own which won't happen in green bay. I believe rodgers does care about love and his chance to have a career. This will be just one of the many requests rodgers have to return. Gute Murphy will have to make their choice.

-8 points
0
8
PatrickGB's picture

February 19, 2022 at 12:14 pm

It’s nice to have a good backup and right now Love is the best one on the roster. Getting a veteran BU might cost more that what the team is paying Love. I suppose if Love was traded for a good WR then Rodgers would like it but that’s just a guess. I really doubt that the team could get much of a trade for Love at this time. Every QB gets hurt sometime in the season. For many they just tough their way through it but if Rodgers goes down for more than a game or two we have nothing with Love gone. The packers drafted a QB often in the past if only for insurance. I really doubt that the team would want to get rid of him and I doubt that Rodgers wants that. I think it’s more about who he wants to get rather than who he wants to get rid of.

4 points
4
0
jhtobias's picture

February 19, 2022 at 11:51 am

Also rodgers will be running this show not lafluer not murph not gute ..

We all have an opinion but make no mistake rodgers if back is the president gm and head coach of green bay

1 points
7
6
Coldworld's picture

February 19, 2022 at 01:02 pm

In effect, yes, because not only would they have effectively ceded the initiative but handed him a contract that means he could blow up the team at any point by retiring and accelerating cap from signing bonuses on top of locked in void years while the Packers may not be able to shift extended older vets either for similar reasons. At that point, he has almost total control.

2 points
4
2
BruceC1960's picture

February 19, 2022 at 02:37 pm

Ain’t no fun when the rabbit has the gun.

4 points
5
1
Jvschultz's picture

February 19, 2022 at 11:59 am

I actually thought the Lynn Dickey years were exciting ... from an offensive standpoint with Lofton and Jefferson. There was no Super Bowl pressure. There was no saturation of football on TV (Sunday night, Monday, Thursday) Smaller stadium. It was just fun to go to games.

5 points
6
1
Coldworld's picture

February 19, 2022 at 01:50 pm

The chance that we will be better, however ephemeral, is more enticing as a fan than the likelihood that we will only decline.

2 points
2
0
TarynsEyes's picture

February 19, 2022 at 12:05 pm

If Rodgers comes back, I hope it's only for this coming season. The cost of that is trade capital that won't be received from a trade that should be made this off-season. Extending Rodgers blows up any reasoning that was in effect for the drafting of Love, as a Rodgers extension will squander Loves' rookie contract.

Those who believe Rodgers is needed to win the SB then you should only be willing to give him one more chance. Those who disagree should be screaming for trade and take the chance with Love and hope he is what was hoped.

Don't expect Rodgers to accept a hometown discount to help the team now or in the future with the salary cap or to help Adams stay, which is another issue in of itself, so don't expect Adams to do what Rodgers won't either. Whatever either stays for, financially, will hurt this team now and afterward and the only piece of mind one might get or needs to have is an SB VICTORY, not a participation trophy, a VICTORY, or this whole thing becomes a history segment for NFLFilms in the catastrophe section.

0 points
3
3
PhantomII's picture

February 19, 2022 at 12:11 pm

AR " Limitless Ceiling"....LOL! AR ceiling is the same it has been the last several years.....A complete UNWILLINGNESS to just do what a 7 time NFL SUPER BOWL WINNING QB HAS DONE AN ENTIRE CAREER>>>>" JUST MOVE THE DAMN CHAINS " with whoever is open and half the time, the check-down receiver. Until this NO BRAINER approach has been considered by AR, and implemented, we win nothing of significance. We need a #2 WR and maybe a #1 if Adams walks. AR needs to take 30 mill and DA 20 mill if they want to work together and that needs to be said by Murphy. Otherwise they should both move on. Build the Defense to a top 3 unit and it will keep the games close enough for a decent QB to win it.

7 points
9
2
Coldworld's picture

February 19, 2022 at 01:05 pm

Rodgers “ceiling” was actually lower statistically this season than last. It’s not unlikely next year is similar. Time is not kind and his mobility is decreasing.

-1 points
1
2
PhantomII's picture

February 19, 2022 at 07:39 pm

Too many very good OL hurt. Too many TE's blocking to compensate instead of running a route. If Bak is finally healthy and Yosh is RT and our C is healthy for more than a few games, the offense should execute well when Jenkins returns and hopefully we pick up a big RG also. Maybe Runyon fills in for Jenkins. All that would help. A lot of bad luck on the OL last year plus.

1 points
1
0
UdderApocowlipse's picture

February 19, 2022 at 12:21 pm

Clements being hired appears to signal to me one of two things: Either his superlative experience coaching QBs made the Packers franchise want to hire him with the intent of developing Love, or he was hired to induce Rodgers' return under center. This could all be about creating the perception of what Corey suggests to raise the asking price of what teams are willing to give up to pursue Rodgers, and Adams will probably want to take his last great shot at establishing generational wealth for himself and his loved ones. Maybe Rodgers returns without Adams joining him. This is another additional option and I guess this might be the one I'd be hoping for, if I cared about more than a peaceful sunny pasture.

4 points
4
0
wildbill's picture

February 19, 2022 at 12:34 pm

I like posting Love=Kizer 2.0 cause it’s fun to stir the pot every now and then. But if Love was any where close to being competent we would be trading Rodgers and stacking the team with the draft choices and freed up money.
Since they don’t appear to be going in that direction, I stand with my statement Love=Kizer 2.0… Lol

-6 points
3
9
Since'61's picture

February 19, 2022 at 03:35 pm

Rather than trying to determine what will happen to the Packers with and without Rodgers I have decided to try to decip[her the motivations of the Packers management for retaining Rodgers.

As I have previously posted, non-profit organizations are driven by maintaining their image which in turn maintains and hopefully increases their revenue streams. Rodgers is the face of the franchise, not only for us as Packers fan but for the entire league and he is the player who non-Packer fans, casual fans and FF players identify with the Packers.

What happens to the teams image and revenue streams if Rodgers is gone and the Packers fall in to a losing cycle. Murphy reports to the Board. He is accountable to them for the growth or decline of the teams revenue streams and maintaining the franchise's image. Will the investment in the Titletown District become a "White Elephant for the team and the city without Rodgers? Should Murphy be concerned about those issues. He has reached the point where he can retire and leave it all for the next team President.

This seques us to Gute and Ball. What is the succession plan if Murphy retires or fall ill? Is Gute the heir apparent? If so, does his opportunity to move up depend on the Packers winning an SB ni the next 1-3 seasons? If that happens does Ball's opportunity to become GM similarly depend on a Packers SB victory? Of course MLF's future depends on the Packers success on the field. He knows better than anyone that an SB win means job security both in Green Bay and with another team in the future. (See McCarthy's hire by Dallas). Owners like to hire HCs with an SB win on their resume.

So is this what the decision to bring Rodgers back is based upon? The management knows that lose with Rodgers or lose with Love they're out either way. In which case someone else will be cleaning up the cap mess they leave behind. Rodgers is clearly their best chance for an SB victory in the short term. Keeping Rodgers keeps the team's image intact and it most likely maintains the current revenue streams.

Does all this mean keeping Rodgers is the best move for the Packers at this time? Are these the appropriate reasons for making such a critical decision? What happens if Rodgers decides to retire after the 2022 season?

At this point we don't yet know for certain if Rodgers will return for the 2022 season. He may decide to retire prior to this season. He may yet be traded. But however this plays out it will tell us plenty about what our management is thinking about and why. Time will tell. Thanks, Since '61

5 points
5
0
PhantomII's picture

February 19, 2022 at 06:10 pm

You forgot the latest stock sale of over 60 mill in case AR does or does not return. Will seats diminish with AR leaving....Yes. Will GB be able to field a playoff team with AR... We will see. AR has a lot of weight in this offseason
to try and get what he wants. On the other hand the packers do have options to move him if he wants out. I don't think he does. DA returning wanting max $ is a problem and I don't see AR back to back MVP doing them a solid and returning for less coin to make them compete.

3 points
3
0
Since'61's picture

February 19, 2022 at 10:22 pm

Actually I think it is very interesting that this stock sale took place shortly Rodgers could either retire or be traded. Yes, the Packers can try to make up revenue short falls with future stock sales. But will the sales go as well if the organization is losing versus the last 3 sales which all took place while the team has been enjoy winning seasons?

Maybe this latest sale was launched in anticipation of Rodgers moving on. I think that We’ll find out reasonably quickly.
Thanks, Since ‘61

2 points
2
0
BirdDogUni's picture

February 20, 2022 at 12:32 am

If they bring Rodgers back, they'll probably have to sign over 1/10th ownership of the franchise to him to pay his a$$... Lol

1 points
1
0
jannes bjornson's picture

February 19, 2022 at 06:31 pm

When the Fans stopped showing up @ Lambeau in 2018 and the Camera never lies, the voids in the stands set Murphy in motion faster than an F-15. MM was summarily dismissed with four games to go. The Hedge leans toward Rodgers return.

3 points
3
0
Since'61's picture

February 19, 2022 at 10:20 pm

Good point. Thanks, Since '61

0 points
0
0
jannes bjornson's picture

February 20, 2022 at 12:26 pm

Thanks,"61. Hope all is well as we move into Lockout Season.

0 points
0
0
beerandbrats's picture

February 19, 2022 at 06:16 pm

We cannot discount the elements! Football is a young man's game and the frozen tundra is no place for old men. Brett Favre (1996) and Aaron Rodgers (2010) were awesome on the frozen tundra as young men but the frozen tundra won in the end (2008/2022)! I understand AR12 and his Green Bay legacy. Unfortunately, he can no longer get it done in the elements. Put him in a dome and he could sling precision guided missiles for many years to come...

With that being said, I trade AR12 to Washington because they are giving up Chase Young, 2021 defensive rookie of the year! As a bonus, he comes from the OSU so he and Gary will be competing every day to outperform each other! Then I take the best DT in this draft (Jordan Davis, UGA) with Washington's 11 pick. So now our defensive front consists of Chase Young, Jordan Davis, Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary. With TJ Slaton in reserve. Think about that! That makes a scary 4 man front which makes the whole defense better! With a strong defensive front for many years to come, it takes a lot of pressure off of the offense. I don't know what JL10 will give us but I do believe it is time to move on from AR12.

0 points
3
3
stockholder's picture

February 19, 2022 at 06:25 pm

People close to Rodgers say he is coming back. So what does this mean? It means we trade Love. And get some new WRs. Because I believe you can't trust Gutey. He will put this team in Cap Hell. Love was his man. His choice. His glory. How can he "not feel" this organization has lost confidence in him. Just my take. But I wouldn't kick the can down the road. The challenge is to get the most for the buck. I believe he's lost his decision making abilities. He's Murphys puppet. Favor the employee and not the business, (is the norm.) Haven't we seen enough of Gold fever in Green Bay. Players will get hurt! This is a difficult time for the packers. The product is too predictable. The holes are the issue. The reality is; we are continuing down a dangerous path.

-1 points
2
3
AZ's picture

February 19, 2022 at 08:30 pm

The answer is too simple and logical:
-tag and trade Adams, and trade Rodgers. Get back about 5 first rounders (4 actual firsts + Jerry Jeudy) plus more high mid picks. Cut/trade Z Smith, cut/trade Billy Turner, and cut Cobb. With your now available cap space, resign Campbell, Douglas, MVS, Lazard, and Tonyan. Add a WR in the draft, along with another Edge and DL (all in the 1st or early 2nd with our new picks).
-our D will be better all the way around in addition to having Jaire back, Stokes a year older, plus our newly added picks.
-our RBs and O line should both be as good or better.
-our TEs should be as good or better (with another mid to high round pick added to the same group from LY, along with Tonyan back).
-the WRs will be worse but with some young promise (Jeudy, newly added 1st rounder, MVS, and Lazard). No I won’t list Amari Rodgers with this group just yet.
-our QB will be likely be significantly worse. However, people forget that Rodgers went 6-10 in his first season (with the same team that just went to the NFC championship), but we all saw the promise of what he could become. If Love doesn’t show the promise, we’ll have the ammo to get our QB next year with the rest of the team then stacked.

We’ll also then have the cap flexibility to keep Jaire, Elgton Jenkins, and Savage in 2023, followed by Gary in 2024. With our stacked run game and potentially elite D in the above scenario, along with a promising WR Corp for the future, we could be setup for another decade of sustained success (instead of 2 more years of the same or worse and then falling into the abyss).

Rodgers will be happier in the above scenario and so will all of us!

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BirdDogUni's picture

February 20, 2022 at 12:25 am

You ever hear the true test of a man's intelligence is how much he agrees with you? ; P

I like the way you speculate.

Couple more weeks it should all be more clear...

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 20, 2022 at 03:25 am

But, but, but....

Cutting Z, Cobb and Turner doesn't get you cap space to sign anybody. Cutting just those three gets you fined First Round Picks by the NFL for being $25M over the salary cap limit.

AR had a passer rating of almost 94 (93.8) in 2008; Brees had a 96.2. AR threw for over 4,000 yards and had 28 TDs to 13 INTs. Favre threw for 4155 yards, 28 TDs, 15 INTs, and had a 95.7 passer rating. Favre attempted 535 passes in 2007, while AR attempted 536, one more. One significant thing is Favre was sacked 15 times, AR 34. I don't think that has to do with the OL: I think AR was learning those pocket awareness and movement skills, but he could have been holding the ball too long. Someone with a better memory than I have can chime in.

I am not persuaded that the drop from 13-3 to 6-10 was caused mostly by a drop from Favre to AR. That said, GB didn't lose many players, really just Bubba Franks and Corey Williams. Of course, they didn't sign anybody that was a big deal, but they added Chillar and Brett Goode. Bigby and Barnett lasted half a season, Cullen Jenkins 4 games, KGB had a half sack after producing 9.5 sacks in 2007. The 2007 offense was 4th in points and dropped to 5th in 2008. The 2007 defense was 6th in the NFL and dropped to 22nd in 2008. I think there is your culprit. KGB running out of gas, Jenkins on IR early and lost Corey Williams. Justin Harrell played some 6 games and had 11 tackles.

I suppose pointing at AR for the drop in games won is possible.

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Coldworld's picture

February 20, 2022 at 08:09 am

He was part of that. As a big supporter of his, I still accepted that then, but it’s fair to admit that he wasn’t by any means all of it. The team was evolving and, by doing so helped prepare for the following seasons and that helped Rodgers going forward too.

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BirdDogUni's picture

February 20, 2022 at 09:56 am

In 2009, Rodgers was sacked 50 times, and if the facemask had been called in AZ, I think we could've been SB Champs... (That was total BS!)

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AZ's picture

February 20, 2022 at 11:12 am

I agree that the 2009 playoffs against AZ was one of his greatest performances, forgotten by many because it ended in a loss. Despite the face mask, he still was only an inch away from pulling it off in OT with the bomb to Jennings. That game still breaks my heart.

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AZ's picture

February 20, 2022 at 11:30 am

I’m not blaming Rodgers specifically but pointing out the fact that it happened. I loved Favre, but I was in the small minority that wanted Favre gone in favor of Rodgers at that time. I didn’t think we’d win the SB in 2008 by doing so, as there’s typically a transition and learning curve, regardless of your elite potential. Keep in mind the vast majority didn’t think Rodgers had elite potential at that time and wanted him gone to keep Favre, even if only for one more year. People used the same logic of “kick the can down the road” at that time.

I understand that my 3 cuts/trades frees up around 25 million, which isn’t enough. Trading Rodgers (with a likely restructured contract) frees up another $19 million if not more. I didn’t include the other moves including a couple of restructured deals of players you want to keep long-term to bring the rest of the plan together (Amos, Clark, and Jaire).

I just don’t see how giving Rodgers $45 million per and Davante $30 million per is going to get us there along with 14 other free agents now departing plus other cuts to make it work. If we bring both back we’re going to have a worse team now, and a disaster of a team in a couple of years. That doesn’t mean I’m specifically blaming Rodgers like many will interpret this as. But rather, do I think we’ll win a SB next year with Davante and Rodgers getting the richest deals in NFL - no. If they do so, do I think we’ll set the franchise up for disaster in 2-3 years - an emphatic yes. So we don’t win now and we’re a disaster in the future. My personal opinion is no thank you to this plan of kicking the can down the curb. The upside isn’t that exciting and downside is flat out disastrous.

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mrtundra's picture

February 20, 2022 at 07:50 am

This past season we had HFA, at Lambeau, in January. I'd like the Packers to play like that actually meant something, for a change. We seem to laud HFA because of our beloved Lambeau Field. Then, we get HFA and stink it up. Play like its an honor and a privilege to be a Packer, playing at Lambeau, and maybe we can bring home another SB title! GO PACK, GO!!!

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beerandbrats's picture

February 22, 2022 at 02:30 pm

I agree wholeheartedly! The Green Bay Packers should be undefeated all-time in January on the Frozen Tundra!

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ironman3169's picture

February 20, 2022 at 04:44 pm

I just hope Rodgers leaves. I don’t care if Adams follows. I’m just tired of him and the offense failing epically when it matters most.
It’s become embarrassing.
Like the Bills back when they made it to 4 Super Bowls in a row and lost them all, except worse because the Packers don’t even get to the Super Bowl.
Everyone just knows Green Bay isn’t going to make it. That’s what they’ve become.

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