The Aaron Rodgers Era is Over. It’s Time to Move On.

Saturday night's defeat gives the Packers the clarity they need on the path forward at quarterback.

Late in the fourth quarter Saturday evening, would-be MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers’ offense had a chance to move on to their third consecutive NFC Championship after a 49ers’ blocked punt returned for a touchdown.

Instead, the Packers once again failed to produce on offense, just as they did all night long after the game’s first two drives. They promptly went three and out, gave the ball back to the 49ers, and never saw the field again.

It was the second consecutive year in which Rodgers shriveled up in the clutch, in a situation in which the team should have won to advance.

In January 2021, the team lost to the Buccaneers after Rodgers and the offense went three and out on consecutive drives after back to back Tom Brady interceptions that could have swung the game.

This year, the team’s offense ground to a halt after a Marcedes Lewis fumble on the second drive of the game. For whatever reason, the offense never regained its rhythm, and Rodgers developed tunnel vision for the rest of the game, honing in only on Davante Adams and Aaron Jones.

By now, if you’re a long-time Packer fan you’re used to heartbreak and disappointment in January. 

But this… this is something new. Because normally fans can fall back on “we’ll get em next year.”

This time? Not so much.

The Packers’ financial situation makes it incredibly difficult for the team to bring back all or even many of its key players from the 2020 and 2021 teams. There are simply too many players to pay, and they’re already in a massive hole.

Rodgers’ future has been up in the air since the moment the Packers drafted Jordan Love in May 2020. And now, the path forward is as clear as it’s ever been.

If Rodgers and the Packers cannot win a Super Bowl with the 2020 and 2021 teams, it’s never going to happen again as long as Rodgers is in Green Bay.

Two years with the top seed and homefield advantage, plus an outstanding supporting cast. This year, the team got healthy at the right time and put together the finest defensive performance in a postseason game in at least a decade, and quite possibly longer. 

Yes, the special teams was atrocious and resulted in points on the board. But the inescapable truth is that after the first drive of the game, Rodgers could only lead the Packers to three more points in a primetime, must-win home game against an inferior opponent.

The game is up. Rodgers did not seem interested in playing within the offense, and when the going got tough he only honed in even more on Adams. 

With the money both Rodgers and Adams would command, it is highly unlikely both would be back in 2022, and impossible that the team would be able to field a roster as strong as this one, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

With his awful performance against San Francisco, Rodgers gave the Packers all the clarity they need to make their decision moving forward. And the irony is it’s a situation very similar to that of his predecessor.

In January 2008, Brett Favre looked old, cold and checked out against the New York Giants. After that game, the Packers’ brass knew they needed to make the transition to the next era.

The same takeaway will come from Saturday Night’s loss to the 49ers and Aaron Rodgers’ performance. Rodgers failed to deliver two years in a row in ideal circumstances, even after MVP-level regular season performances. So long as he remains on the team, it’s going to be difficult to impossible to build another team around him capable of contending within the time he has left in his career.

For his part, Rodgers already said in his postgame comments that he’s not interested in sticking around for a rebuild. This rebuild would, of course, be necessary largely due to Rodgers himself, as the Packers sold out on the 2021 season to try to make one last run during his championship window.

But these comments essentially give the Packers all the permission they need to do the difficult but correct thing and move on.

Aaron Rodgers’ price on the trade market will never be higher than it is right now. He’s not getting any younger. He’s coming off (presumably) two consecutive MVP seasons. There are  always teams willing to give up mega assets for elite quarterback play.

The kind of haul the Packers get in return for Rodgers could help shorten the rebuild and set Jordan Love up for more potential success. 

The money saved from paying Rodgers and Adams would go a long way toward solving the Packers’ cap crisis in 2022, though there are certainly plenty more steps the team would need to take to get back above water. 

But it would help the Packers keep much of the defensive nucleus intact. With a good defense, a good offensive line and the best running back duo in the league, Love will have quite a bit of support in his first year as a starter. The Packers can use draft assets to beef up the wide receiver position and restock in some of the areas where they will be losing people this offseason. 

Rodgers has been a Green Bay Packer for 17 years, longer than anyone else has worn the green and gold. It was never going to last forever.

If the team truly wishes to contend again within a reasonable timeframe, then it must do the right thing this offseason: move Rodgers for big-time assets and get a fresh start entering a brand new era. 

If you try to run it back, you’re just asking for more disappointment. The harsh truth is this: the Green Bay Packers’ potential for future success no longer includes Aaron Rodgers.

 

 

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.

__________________________

Tim Backes is a lifelong Packer fan and a contributor to CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter @timbackes for his Packer takes, random musings and Untappd beer check-ins.

__________________________

36 points
 

Comments (220)

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

January 24, 2022 at 06:12 am

I agree it's time to move on, and I'd like management to challenge themselves on whether Love is the future or not. I certainly don't know, but all options need to be on the table right now and they've had enough time to evaluate.

No team has won a SB paying their QB more than 10% of the cap in decades. 8 teams thought they were smart this year and paid their QB more than that. 7 are now eliminated, with Jimmy G as the lone remaining QB above that mark. If Rodgers is going to rework a deal to stay, they need to be talking about a Tom Brady type of favorable deal

21 points
25
4
NickPerry's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:19 am

I think they almost HAVE to move on. They just can't swing it financially and NOW is the time to see what kind of QB Love is.

With the Success Brady has had and now Stafford, I'm guessing the Packers will be able to find a suiter AND get a pretty damn good return.

They HAVE to keep Alexander, Jenkins who will need new contracts. Gary and Savage will be coming up the year after and IMO you just can't let BOTH Smiths walk and Amos. You also HAVE to keep Campbell and Douglas, at least IMO.

I haven't even looked at the draft much but will start to now. It's time to draft a couple of WR's in the first few rounds, maybe sign a veteran FA wideout to help fill the gap, and try to keep Lazard maybe MVS. Neither should cost that much.

Time to start looking at who might be cut, who will be free agents, and put together a plan to get by while the rookies you draft in 2022 develop while Jones and Dillon dominate as the Packers become a run first team with good defense.

10 points
10
0
Cubbygold's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:18 am

That's definitely what I would prefer, but I'm a bit worried that many people in the front office as well as MLF and 12 had convinced themselves that this could work moving forward. If that has to happen, it HAS to happen on a real team friendly deal. Rodgers isn't that person, so I'm not worried about this happening. I am worried about him coming back at a 15%+ cap hit though.

The question I have for you though is; where does Bahk play into that plan?

Stenovich had another great year, and it seems like a line of Nijman, Jenkins, Runyan, Myers and Newman could be serviceable... with maybe a Patrick or a Turner returning as well for some extra experience and depth.

Trading Bahk in addition to Rodgers is going to do big things for the cap situation, as well as the return of talent/picks. It seems to me that he's a luxury that GB can't afford to keep, while simultaneously offering a great opportunity to trade and accelerate the path forward. Seems like that money would be much better spent on some of the guys you mention.

1 points
3
2
dobber's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:16 am

Trading or releasing Bakhtiari this off-season would be destructive to the 2022 cap as it accelerates his prorated bonuses onto a cap that's already way in the red (his cap hit goes from ~$23M to ~$39M). They could release him with a Jun 1 designation and it would be about cap-neutral...I think they only do that if either he's proving to be a locker room issue, or it looks as if his knee isn't going to make it back. Barring that, he's at least in the locker room and likely the LT in 2022.

If Jenkins makes it back 100% and Nijman continues to progress, I think the writing is on the wall for Bakhtiari post 2022.

10 points
10
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Cubbygold's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:37 am

Ah, interesting. Yeah, that seems to take the logic out of what I had posted before.

1 points
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Cubbygold's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:50 am

Actually, I take that back - maybe.

if they want to compete next year, keep Bahk. If they aren't, then I still think you need to see what you can get in a trade. His injury doesn't help, but a top tier LT should bring in a great return. Depending on the moving pieces, it may make sense to take the big hit in 2022 for the benefit of future years, especially if you feel the future LT is already on the team. Don't love the idea of sitting Nijman for a year just for cap purposes either.

1 points
2
1
Leatherhead's picture

January 24, 2022 at 11:05 am

If Bakhtiari can be healthy, he could be a starting LT for a few years yet. Nijman is going to get his shot…you can never have too many good blockers. Depth counts.

Other than that, you’re spot on regarding how having too much money going to the QB seems to work against a team. Superbowls are won by guys under 30, Tom Brady, and a couple of one offs. Once your QB crosses that 32-33 age, you’re better off to start over with a younger, cheaper guy, even if he’s playing great still.

2 points
2
0
PeteK's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:39 am

As with many of our veterans, releasing before becoming a free agent comes with dead cap ramifications. 2022 will be rough , but the following year brings some relief.

3 points
3
0
13TimeChamps's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:28 am

I'm no capologist by any stretch, but wouldn't trading Bahk at this point in his contract create a huge dead money hit? I mean, would they even save any money?

EDIT: Oops...Dobber beat me to it.

5 points
5
0
Grimm's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:13 am

I thought with a trade, the new team takes on their contract and pay that goes with it. I would think that any prorated signing bonus and current year earnings. If not, trading for players would be free for the salary cap.

Someone with more knowledge will have to explain it to clear that up I think.

1 points
1
0
Guam's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:42 am

The new team takes on the remainder of the contract, but does not take any previous payments which would include the signing bonus. Basically it is follow the cash. The new team takes on all new cash payments, but the old team retains the accounting for any previously paid cash. That means the previously paid signing bonus stays with Green Bay and all that unamortized signing bonus comes due the moment Bahk is traded to a new team. Hence trading Bahk before June 1 is a financial disaster for the 2022 cap. Trading him after June 1 would generate a small hit to the 2022 cap.

2 points
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jeremyjjbrown's picture

January 24, 2022 at 02:32 pm

Bahk is not tradable this year. He would have ~40 million dead money acceleration if he's traded. It would be cap suicide.

3 points
3
0
croatpackfan's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:45 am

Nick, we often agrees regarding many issues, but I believe that you and other respected posters here forgot one important possibility - Aaron Rodgers to retire. In that case Packers will keep his possible return to any other franchise under the control. But, in that case they will have to pay him all debt and to count it against SC (that is what I'm told, I do not know for certain). If Packers asks NFL to pardon them Rodgers due and free their cap, Aaron can sign 6 months later with any franchise he wants and Packers do not control his unretirement.

I was told that this is simplification of the rule, but generally correct. I would also like if someone can confirm that statement. This is kindly asking!

And, if I wrote correct info about retirement, do not be surprised if Aaron decide to go that path. It is his nature...

So, I would not dream about huge ransom to trade Aaron Rodgers. He can avoid that through this protocol...

1 points
1
0
MarkinMadison's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:12 am

Largely agree but Tom Brady made 12.25% last year when they won the Super Bowl. I think your numbers are pretty off there. But yes, it is time to move on. Also, remember that in Rodgers' first year as a starter (2008) the Packers were so unsure about him that they spent a second on Brian Brohm and a seventh on Matt Flynn. At least they got value out of Flynn.

3 points
3
0
Cubbygold's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:23 am

Interesting, you're right. Highest cap hit for a SB winner is ~13%. Nobody had been above 10-11% for the 30 years after that, but I hadn't looked at last year. Brady has played on such low cap hits I assumed he was below 10%, but it looks like you're right.

Rodgers was at 15% this year. Difference between a 10% hit and a 15% hit is ~10M to pay a top-tier WR, which could have made all the difference these past few years.

2 points
2
0
MarkinMadison's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:15 am

Yeah, I started singing this tune 1-2 years ago. So I'm with you in concept, but I've been looking at the numbers off and on for a while now.

1 points
1
0
Leatherhead's picture

January 24, 2022 at 06:17 pm

Yes, if he had a $10 million WR to ignore, it would make a difference.

I get your point, but no. Another WR would not have made the difference.

-1 points
1
2
badaxed's picture

January 24, 2022 at 11:46 am

if you can't beat em join em. trade rogers to niners for jimmy g + lance + 1st round pick. find out if love is better than lance. if not trade love at some point. Rogers would be happy and maybe we could have two potential future qb's with jimmy g in the interim.

-2 points
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jeremyjjbrown's picture

January 24, 2022 at 02:33 pm

Why would they want Jimmy G? Picks and or rookie deals only.

2 points
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badaxed's picture

January 24, 2022 at 11:46 am

if you can't beat em join em. trade rogers to niners for jimmy g + lance + 1st round pick. find out if love is better than lance. if not trade love at some point. Rogers would be happy and maybe we could have two potential future qb's with jimmy g in the interim.

-2 points
0
2
DrMixerGED's picture

January 25, 2022 at 05:08 am

I agree with you 100%.

0 points
0
0
SwedeBayPacker's picture

January 24, 2022 at 06:29 am

Adios Rodgers, farewell Adams, Good bye Crosby, See ya later Bahktiari, God speed Zadarius.

Go fuck yourself Mo Drayton.

If MLF is unable to learn how to adjust after three God damn years as head coach he can join Drayton for all I care.

3 points
18
15
Irish_Cheesehead's picture

January 24, 2022 at 06:48 am

You can adjust, but your players also need to execute. Would be interesting to know if Rodgers was running the plays MLF was calling. He was obviously limiting his options, but I was surprised he didn't try to force it more to Cobb.

8 points
10
2
Rhambo53's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:55 am

I think it's safe to say Rodgers was doing his own thing after a certain point in the game. Passing plays have progressions and choices the QB makes. Regardless of the play call Rodgers makes the decision where the ball goes. His last pass was not a bad play call just a poor decision on Rodgers' part where to go with it. I don't blame MLF for very much of our offensive failures in that game.

2 points
4
2
Rhambo53's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:55 am

I think it's safe to say Rodgers was doing his own thing after a certain point in the game. Passing plays have progressions and choices the QB makes. Regardless of the play call Rodgers makes the decision where the ball goes. His last pass was not a bad play call just a poor decision on Rodgers' part where to go with it. I don't blame MLF for very much of our offensive failures in that game.

0 points
0
0
croatpackfan's picture

January 25, 2022 at 03:01 am

I blame MLF for being servile and submissive to Aaron Rodgers. He does not have strength to overrule Aaron wishes (e. g. Aaron wanted to play game vs Lions and he got it, Aaron wanted to have as many deep pass as he wish, and he got it, Aaron wanted to have that or this player for the specific play or series, he got it, rarely he listen what MLF call).

Only balls MLF showed was at the end of last season NFCCG when he put Mason on the field on 4th and 8. And Aaron Rodgers made it big issue after the game, while by any account it was right decision to do. Aaron again showed us that he panicking at the crucial moments and have only DavanteVision glasses in those kind of moments. Other HCs and DCs already knows that and that is why Tampa left every other player and cover Adams with 3 man. To prevent failure on the 4th and 8, MLF tried to cut the lead to 5 points and have faith in D to made another stop. What was logical, knowing how Tom Brady played bad in the second half. I can only imagine what Aaron told to MLF in the locker room or in his office after the game - or he might only looked at him silently.

After that game, Aaron was doing what he wanted and MLF subs every AR wish.

I believe MLF can be good coach only if he grows his ball to the extend of the true HC. At the moment he is just cheerleader and servant to the "The Diva God" (that is how Aaron see himself).

1 points
1
0
HawkPacker's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:07 am

I would agree that MLF is not good at making adjustments during the game or at halftime. As far as Zadarius is concerned, he looked like a no-show in this game. I have a lot of questions about some of the players such as what happened to Bahktiari that he was not able to play? Also, what happened to Moore as he apparently did no play either. I have not read anything as to either of these questions.

0 points
3
3
wsn's picture

January 24, 2022 at 02:37 pm

agree regarding MLF. I think he has a lot of great qualities, but his in game adjustments seem to be non-existent. Too bad. Maybe the game is a bit too fast for him still.

1 points
1
0
Shinesman's picture

January 25, 2022 at 12:47 am

🤣🤣🤣that mo Drayton part

1 points
1
0
NickPerry's picture

January 24, 2022 at 06:30 am

At the beginning of the season I agreed with this. I sort of changed my mind during the season and hoped there was a way to keep him. But after this past weekend's performance, with the performance Rodgers was given by his defense, and that 3rd and 11 pass to Adams in Double coverage with Lazrad WIDE OPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD and everything before that after the first 2 drives, I know in my heart of hearts Rodgers will never FULLY buy into the MLF system.

We can blame MLF and some of it does go to him. But in last years NFCCG we saw 3 straight passes go to Adams from 1st and goal from the 8. This year we saw TWO attempts the ENTIRE game go to Lazard who had been GREAT the last 5 weeks and Cobb who Rodgers basically said get him here, or F you Gute.

MLF's system is motion, misdirection, and a passing game meant to get the ball out fast to SEVERAL receivers. I'm sorry, but with Rodgers here we still haven't seen that system, not fully anyways and we're not going to as long as Rodgers is here.

With Alexander, Jenkins and others coming up on new contracts, and HOPEFULLY finding a way to keep one of the Smiths, Amos, Campbell, Douglas, and others, it's IMPOSSIBLE for the Packers to keep Rodgers let alone pay Adams.

Make no mistake about it, the Packers are in a rebuild mode. Just how much of one remains to be seen. BUT, we should have some valuable draft assets and maybe a player or to help get us where we want to be quicker. Thank you Aaron Rodgers, you've been a GREAT QB. But it's over in Green Bay and a new Era is beginning. Thanks for the memories....

38 points
41
3
Cubbygold's picture

January 24, 2022 at 06:48 am

I'm a big fan of MLF, but it's been hard to separate his performance from Rodgers because I just don't know when 12 is abandoning the system based on pre snap reads or hurry up. Gute has done a tremendous job building a team that fits what MLF is doing and so I'm excited to see that continue. Hopefully they continue to find success and bring in team-furst guys who all buy into the system.

7 points
9
2
flackcatcher's picture

January 24, 2022 at 11:40 am

I would not be surprised if Gutekunst fired Matt Lafleur. The messy exit of Mike Pettine, and Mo Dayton hiring as STC brings serious ego issues to the table. Jon Barry was an unexpected bright spot with his work as DC. There were signs with Rodgers in the latter third of the season, the Ravens game when he was drawing up plays in the huddle in the fourth quarter. Plus we must remember that Lafleur's hire was a very messy affair. The temptation to clear the deck, must be very powerful inside 1265 at the moment. There is a lot more going on that just Cap issues here...

-3 points
1
4
NickPerry's picture

January 25, 2022 at 05:47 am

CB.... You and others responded to my comments yesterday and I didn't respond back, I hardly ever respond back and I apologize for that. I post and then normally get ready for work and don't have an opportunity to get back on CHTV until the NEXT morning. To you and EVERYONE else..Thanks for taking the time to comment to me posts!

"Gute has done a tremendous job building a team that fits what MLF is doing and so I'm excited to see that continue."

Me too, and first on that list is to get a WR with the SPEED of a Tarek Hill, but not as big as MVS. This offense sorely lacks speed AND quickness in one player.

0 points
0
0
blacke00's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:50 am

Hold on, Jenkins is not going to be getting a long term deal anytime soon. He has to rehab his knee and that will take at least a year and half. He has to show he's healthy and can play. I'm also concerned about Bahk. I'm not sure he's going to make it back from this injury.

1 points
2
1
dobber's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:21 am

It's very possible the Packers will have to offer up a contract before he plays another game. They should be able to tell a lot from his rehab...but, yes, they will likely have to make an educated guess on Jenkins.

Knees are not death sentences for OLs. Will Bakhtiari need another cleanout-touch up? Very possibly. But I expect he'll be ready for camp in the fall. It's possible he retires...which would really screw up the Packers' cap or force them to list him as a Jun. 1 retire/cut.

1 points
2
1
Coldworld's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:51 am

Bakh seems to have had a number of setbacks, but Bakh got injured later and is older as well. My guess is that Jenkins is playing by the bye next year. That’s consistent with times for recovery in the modern era. In the interim, maybe we can keep Kelly, as I think Turner is a casualty of the cap. Nijman, Runyon, Myers, Newman and Kelly are possible starters. Patrick likely signs elsewhere as a starter. We will have to find depth or have found it and hidden it this year.

2 points
4
2
stockholder's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:12 am

Bahk isn't worth the money now. He's injured and will only get slower. Kelly Moved in the red Zone. He always moves. He's a Veteran and his rookie mistakes cost us a TD again. Patrick better sign elsewhere. Myers has been given the job.

-4 points
1
5
Coldworld's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:18 am

If you read the thread, it’s accepted that Bakh costs more to move on from next year. Kelly is likely the cheapest option and we need one till Jenkins returns. as well as depth.

2 points
2
0
jannes bjornson's picture

January 24, 2022 at 06:33 pm

They will draft Two more linemen this May, an OT and a Guard. Keep the train on the tracks. The ONE pick should go to a WR with speed. LaFleur is now on the clock, right the ship or bee gone. No excuse for that shabby display of football on your home turf.

2 points
2
0
blacke00's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:51 am

Hold on, Jenkins is not going to be getting a long term deal anytime soon. He has to rehab his knee and that will take at least a year and half. He has to show he's healthy and can play. I'm also concerned about Bahk. I'm not sure he's going to make it back from this injury.

1 points
1
0
Cheesey51's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:55 am

Agree with you NP. MLF is management /under contract and ,so.."he ain't going no where"
With a lack of top notch QB in this years draft, more teams will be looking for a veteran QB like Rodgers and GB use it to t heir advantage to leveraged additional draft picks/assets

2 points
3
1
dobber's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:22 am

I would expect that teams that might invest in ARod would likely not be on a window to develop a rookie passer.

1 points
2
1
Cheesey51's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:55 am

Agree with you NP. MLF is management /under contract and ,so.."he ain't going no where"
With a lack of top notch QB in this years draft, more teams will be looking for a veteran QB like Rodgers and GB use it to t heir advantage to leveraged additional draft picks/assets

0 points
0
0
Cheesey51's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:56 am

Agree with you NP. MLF is management /under contract and ,so.."he ain't going no where"
With a lack of top notch QB in this years draft, more teams will be looking for a veteran QB like Rodgers and GB use it to t heir advantage to leveraged additional draft picks/assets

0 points
0
0
Cheesey51's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:56 am

Agree with you NP. MLF is management /under contract and ,so.."he ain't going no where"
With a lack of top notch QB in this years draft, more teams will be looking for a veteran QB like Rodgers and GB use it to t heir advantage to leveraged additional draft picks/assets

0 points
0
0
Cheesey51's picture

January 26, 2022 at 04:15 pm

qb

0 points
0
0
Cheesey51's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:56 am

Agree with you NP. MLF is management /under contract and ,so.."he ain't going no where"
With a lack of top notch QB in this years draft, more teams will be looking for a veteran QB like Rodgers and GB use it to t heir advantage to leveraged additional draft picks/assets

1 points
1
0
Oppy's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:59 am

I didn't agree, but after reading it 5 times, it's starting to make sense now
:)

13 points
13
0
HawkPacker's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:11 am

Good one Oppy. The Cheesehead website is a bit slower on the take today!

2 points
2
0
PeteK's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:59 am

Colts would be a great fit for Rodgers, best RB and a very good O line. Wentz would be a 15 mill cap hit if released or 0 if traded.

-1 points
0
1
Cheesey51's picture

January 24, 2022 at 11:56 am

My bad, i thought my iphone wasn't accepting the reply, obviously it had,

0 points
0
0
NickPerry's picture

January 25, 2022 at 05:52 am

That made me laugh, HARD out loud...Thanks Oppy, we can always count for that just right post and just the right moment!

0 points
0
0
BradHTX's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:47 am

So, just to clarify… You agree with NP? ;)

3 points
3
0
gkarl's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:12 am

"The game is up. Rodgers did not seem interested in playing within the offense, and when the going got tough he only honed in even more on Adams"

This is why the GBP need to move on. AR is a great talent and is a sure fire HOF'er. He also seems to think he's the smartest guy in room. He just can't seems to play within the design or believe he doesn't know what's best.

6 points
6
0
cinpackback's picture

January 24, 2022 at 06:40 am

Absolutely.
Saw the same tunnel vision with Brady’s play, also. Don’t know why it happens, but it won’t matter how many weapons he has…
I am tired of the manipulations and lack of character. Ready to move on.
GPG

9 points
15
6
Irish_Cheesehead's picture

January 24, 2022 at 06:54 am

I certainly won't miss the beautiful mystery drama.

11 points
12
1
Coldworld's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:55 am

Regardless of what stance one takes on his views, hubris in public often comes back to bite one. I hope it doesn’t deter potential suitors.

7 points
7
0
CheesyTex's picture

January 24, 2022 at 12:38 pm

Well said Coldworld. His "Beautiful Mystery" could easily become our "Nightmare Realized".

0 points
0
0
PeteK's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:05 am

I see it on the bench between series, looking disinterested as the coach is talking to him. Maybe I'm looking into it too closely, I just don't see that with other QBs, even the stars.

3 points
5
2
BamaPackFan's picture

January 24, 2022 at 12:43 pm

No comparison to Brady. Brady brought his team back from a 24 point deficit. He plays great in the playoffs.

1 points
1
0
jannes bjornson's picture

January 24, 2022 at 06:40 pm

A couple of critical Fumbles by Akers didn't hurt either....

0 points
0
0
barutanseijin's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:48 pm

Sure, but when Rodgers was the beneficiary of Brady’s gifts last year, he went three and out.

1 points
1
0
KC Mack's picture

January 24, 2022 at 06:49 am

Who will be the top QB in the draft? Rodgers for the top pick & other draft choices seems like an ideal situation, given that Love could be there to push the top pick until he’s ready….

-4 points
1
5
Cubbygold's picture

January 24, 2022 at 06:57 am

I don't think there's any QB prospects that are projecting to go real high in the draft. So I think GB would have to get to like the 6-8 pick range to get their guy. Seems doable if that's the route they want to go.

0 points
1
1
Coldworld's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:21 am

That would take a serious amount of draft capital, unless we get such a pick for Rodgers, too much when we will need an influx of players.

0 points
0
0
Irish_Cheesehead's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:00 am

In the past three drafts, there have been clear top options at QB. That isn't the case this year. There's no consensus among NFL scouts about which quarterback is the best. I've seen reports that only have Pitt's Kenny Pickett with a first round grade.

3 points
3
0
NickPerry's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:03 am

This isn't a good draft for QB's. The Packers HAVE to give Love a chance. Truth be told, I'm a bit excited to see what this offense might look like. With Rodgers as QB I don't believe we've really seen the complete MLF system. I think it's been a variation of the system to both accommodate Rodgers, and take advantage of what Rodgers does best.

12 points
13
1
BradHTX's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:57 am

Totally agree, Nick. You don’t trade up to take a QB prospect in the first, develop him for two (admittedly unconventional) years, and then go draft someone else. Next year HAS to be the year of Jordan Love, and maybe the year after — let him play out his rookie contract and see how he develops as a starter, Rodgers wasn’t great his first year leading the team either.

There’s no way around it, this is a rebuild and we all knew it would be, same as ‘08. There’s no rush to be a SB contender again without Rodgers’ closing (-ed) window. A year or two of losing finishes will help up and down the roster through better draft position. Trade Rodgers, let Adams walk, save as much of the defensive roster as possible, and focus on rebuilding the passing offense behind a good OL and run game.

Oh, and… FIRW MO DRYTON!!!

6 points
7
1
PeteK's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:12 am

Absolutely, onto the next phase. I believe that it's only a partial rebuild with a very solid core that could/should still be tops in our division.

0 points
0
0
Oppy's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:40 pm

" Rodgers wasn’t great his first year leading the team either. "

BradTHX, let me add my correction to that statement:

The Packers W-L column wasn't great the first year Rodgers led the team, either.

Rodgers actually had a pretty darn good first year as a starter, but the team failed to close games. It truly was a defensive issue that 6-10 season.

Was that Aaron Rodgers the MVP level Aaron Rodgers? No, but he actually played at a pretty high level none the less.

0 points
0
0
greengold's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:19 am

I totally agree, Nick.

This could get really good, really fast. It's possible. I'm actually pretty excited to see a healthy trio of Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon and Kylin Hill doing what they do best in Matt LaFleur's unaltered scheme.

Jordan Love should be able to be a solid game manager with LaFleur's guidance, and possibly more. We'll see. At least with Jordan Love, LaFleur will have a more willing player at QB to run exactly what he wants to run. 100%.

Clearing cap will help this team moving forward, and I think Green Bay will once again become a force with the talents Gutekunst will continue to provide. There is a lot of promise to this Packers team for the 2022 season, with the proper management of current players looking to move on and team assets.

Looking forward to less drama, and more good, sound, fundamental football for the Packers.

3 points
3
0
jannes bjornson's picture

January 24, 2022 at 06:49 pm

Taylor has displaced Hill in the rotation. Game Managers belong in the Wildflife Service.

0 points
0
0
Coldworld's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:25 am

We draft a later round prospect if they think Benkert isn’t a prospect. I think we bring in competition if we feel the need, not look to draft it.

1 points
1
0
Leatherhead's picture

January 24, 2022 at 04:45 pm

I'd be interested in knowing what I'd have to trade to get Baltimore's backup. But yeah, it's the most critical position on the team and these guys do get hurt. We've been really fortunate for almost 30 years. A vet who could start and play well would be a good pickup.

-1 points
0
1
jannes bjornson's picture

January 24, 2022 at 06:44 pm

Two years too late to play that game. Burrows and Herbert were the last viable targets for the swap.

0 points
0
0
Packerlifer's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:01 am

The analysis makes sense but until the Packers and Rodgers come to a decision and make the announcement everything is just speculation. They can't allow themselves to be drawn into another off-season of drama and rumor-mongering like last year.

Last year Rodgers questioned whether the Packers were "all in" with him. Now is he "all in" with the Packers? If he is then he has to realize that if he's not going to be in a "rebuild" he will need to work with the Packers' sal-cap situation and that may mean giving up something for the good of the team.

This might be an advantageous time for a "re-formation" of the team. The Division is in flux and the Packers could still win it as Chicago and Minnesota start over with the hc and gm positions and Detroit is still Detroit.

Trading A Rod, though could be a tricky matter. Trade partners will know the Packers are somewhat, at least, "over a barrel" with him so they may not get as much in return as we think. They got almost nothing for Favre years ago because of the same kind of situation.

And where does Rodgers want to go? He will certainly want a "win now" situation so that puts some limits on possibilities. And what do those "possibilities" have to give a commensurate return in trade to Green Bay?

Accept that we aren't going to know anything until March or April at the earliest and until then save the ink.

0 points
4
4
NickPerry's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:09 am

It only takes one team and IF he wins his second MVP in a row, I have to think they'll be more than one team.

The Steelers, Broncos, hell maybe Tampa Bay are three right off the top of my head who can make it work. Players like Rodgers don't grow on trees and some will believe they have the team to get Rodgers over the hump. I think the Broncos or even the Raiders are two teams that think that and Tampa Bay is DEFINITELY a team that could sell it providing Brady retires which I think he will.

3 points
3
0
dobber's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:25 am

Cleveland, Miami, Philly, Carolina, New Orleans, Vegas--hell, maybe even the Pats--lots of potential suitors out there. ARod may not want to play for some of them, but bidders are all the Packers really need.

5 points
5
0
Cubbygold's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:37 am

The Pats?? We getting Mac Jones in that deal?

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:25 am

Who knows...but the question becomes how willing BB is to ride the ups and downs of a developing QB?

0 points
0
0
Cubbygold's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:40 am

Sure, I can see him wanting to maximize his own 'window'. I'd do that in a heartbeat

0 points
0
0
CheesyTex's picture

January 24, 2022 at 12:48 pm

Hope the Giants are interested as a lot of the N.Y. Press seems to be. Giants look loaded with top trade capital.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:05 pm

They're a ways out from their window...

1 points
1
0
CheesyTex's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:42 pm

Yup.

But the lure of being a hero on the NY stage could appeal to 12, and after years of Giants and Jets downers it's why the locals are howling to bring in a star.

Agree it is a remote chance, but there is that reason.

0 points
0
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 26, 2022 at 04:25 am

Not Philly. I suggested Philly to my chagrin when another poster told me to check their salary cap. I thought they had started to correct their cap but it is still a mess.

Maybe Pittsburgh could be added as a suitor. They don't have the draft picks Philly and NYG have, but they probably would be interested enough to kick the tires on the idea.

0 points
0
0
croatpackfan's picture

January 24, 2022 at 03:01 pm

No way that The Diva will pick Tampa - Bruce Ariens would slap him hard as soon as he started shitting around.

Steelers - I do not think Mike Tomlin would like another "The Diva" player on his team - Brown and Bell was, I believe, enough.

Broncos - well, that is possibility as Hackett was called for 2nd round of interviews as one of 3 coaches, together with Dan Quinn and Kevin O’Connell (Rams' OC).

By the way, I think I read that Aaron Rodgers, at last changes to the contract, requested few things that is granted in written. Years after 2023 season are void, but if he and Packers agreed to trade him after 2022 season, he has right to pick the franchise he wants to go...

So, it is not that they will pick highest bider, it is the question where AR will pick to go.

1 points
1
0
LombardiSince65's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:38 am

I live in Colorado and I can assure you that the local Sports Media here has done nothing but talk about bringing Rodgers to the Broncos for a year and a half like rabid dogs.

4 points
4
0
PeteK's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:17 am

Music to my ears, wait TD drive to my eyes. A first and a third would be great.

1 points
2
1
Harold Drake's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:01 am

Happy trails AR12. The Packers can't afford you, they never gave you a true No. 2 WR option (MVS is explosive but is does not offer the kind of consistent performance that the top NFL teams' secondary wideouts offer), you are fixated on Adams (the deep throw on third down late in the 4th quarter was pure Favrian folly), and you were unable to establish any rhythm on offense this year. Hail and farewell to the DNTGOAT (Definitely Not The GOAT).

6 points
11
5
PackEyedOptimist's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:11 am

Yep, time to move on from Rodgers.
What I'd like to see happen is a re-signing of as many of the defensive players and offensive linemen as possible. Those who predict fans like me "will be sorry when Rodgers leaves" are incorrect. I'm a fan who enjoyed the Packers through the 70s and 80s. Winning ISN'T everything to me, because I enjoy the three hours, not just the last second.

The Packers will never be able to replicate Aaron Rodgers, so I'm hoping to see a great defense with a balanced offense. We'll lose more close games, but in the end, it's the entertainment of the battle that I enjoy. That's one of the reasons I hated this year's special teams play; much like bad reffing, it too often hand waves the hours of offense vs. defense, and dismisses the importance and value of "the struggle."

Unfortunately, I don't see Jordan Love as the kind of game-managing QB that I'd prefer, but maybe with Rodgers gone, Love will show us some different skills.

9 points
14
5
Cubbygold's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:39 am

I hear you. The best teams to root for are... teams. This year the defense showed signs, even while shorthanded, of being a fun group to root for. I'll take that over every conversation revolving around a single superstar.

6 points
6
0
DrMixerGED's picture

January 25, 2022 at 05:22 am

What a well reasoned comment. I too enjoy the game, even when we lose. Sure, I’d love to win like anyone else, but it’s not going to ruin my day.

1 points
1
0
Booner's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:25 am

So dump the MVP and go full steam ahead with Love? Look at the teams out there that don't have a QB they are the bottom feeder's in their division's! We will regret that move forever! Keep Rodger's and restructure his deal. He has a lot of gas in the tank as long as he wants to play. The offensive line played like shit Saturday night! SF was owning them in Pass P and in the run game. You have nothing in this league without a QB! I would rather be in the race every year than just a lousy spectator like some of these other pathetic franchise's!

-14 points
8
22
NJ-RICK's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:01 am

I couldn't agree with you more.. AR12 is our best chance to stay atop the NFC North division and as a playoff contender. Rodgers wasn't the reason why we lost Saturday night. My concern is, Is AR12 willing to come back for another season. IMO Packer MGT has failed again to bring in enough offensive playmakers. Time for Murphy, Gute and Ball to move on. The packers have had the two best QB's in the league for the past 28 years and all they have to show for it is 2 Super Bowls. Packer MGT has failed not their QB's....

-15 points
3
18
OldSchool69's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:50 pm

NJ-RICK...you have hit a nerve. Look a the negative points you earned with you Rogers comments and those regarding the undeniable failure of Packer management to win a superbowl, 28 & 2...outstanding isn't. But don't forget #12 'shit the bed' Saturday night. Didn't have a great game, no question. But the F'N special teams cost the Pac 10 points....and couldn't field a complete 11man unit for the season ending SanFran kick. Yah, he didn't have a great game....but the loss on Saturday night was Drayton, MLF and Gutekunst. The three stooges that 'shit the bed' for real. Sorry for the rant but enough of the blame game in the wrong direction 28 & 2, 2blkd kicks & -10pts and a 10man ST unit to block a season ending kick and......who 'shit the bed'...it wasn't #12

-1 points
1
2
Caden819's picture

January 25, 2022 at 10:05 am

What do you call it when you throw for 0 pass TD and throw it 9 times to the guy who got double covered all night? I call it "shitting the bed"

-1 points
0
1
mbpacker's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:15 am

Ok, I understand what you are saying but as others have said last year, all year, is 12 canning plays that LaFluer calls? The line did not play well for sure, so why in the heck are we lining up EMPTY BACKFIELD then? They did and Rodgers gets sacked. That makes no sense to me. I hate the empty backfield, occasionally sure, but 12 loves it. But against a pass rushing team like the 9ers?

10 points
10
0
PeteK's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:26 am

I respect your opinion as Rodgers is special. However, he needed to carry us in this third attempt at a championship and failed. Garopollo was injured, under the same if not more pressure, not even close to an MVP, but moved the ball a bit better in the second half.

6 points
6
0
Duneslick's picture

January 24, 2022 at 11:40 am

Go Pack

1 points
1
0
Caden819's picture

January 24, 2022 at 05:55 pm

Why? Just so we can watch another first round exit like we have the past 11 years? The chances of Rodgers even coming close to the same success as these past 2 years is extremely slim

2 points
2
0
Grandfathered's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:59 pm

Agreed. The Pacers had enough talent to win this year, and having Rogers does not seem to be the answer to winning it all. If we can't get there this year, no sense trying the same leadership with a weaker team in 22'.

2 points
2
0
jannes bjornson's picture

January 25, 2022 at 07:41 pm

They had talent but a lot of their All-Pros and pro bowl TE were not on the ready. The squad hung together and hammered out some close games, but the inevitable was catching up to them. When Jenkins went down it set the tsunami in motion. Za and Jaire back for some fill-in duty. You cannot give up 5 sacks and expect to win w/out the power running game in the playoffs. Dillon's exit hurt the fourth quarter game plan. Cobb was not 100% and slow through his routes. That left Adams and Lazard to pull of the long game without MVS. The 49rs knew what to do, LaFleur could not counter although A Jones dominated.

0 points
0
0
Booner's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:25 am

So dump the MVP and go full steam ahead with Love? Look at the teams out there that don't have a QB they are the bottom feeder's in their division's! We will regret that move forever! Keep Rodger's and restructure his deal. He has a lot of gas in the tank as long as he wants to play. The offensive line played like shit Saturday night! SF was owning them in Pass P and in the run game. You have nothing in this league without a QB! I would rather be in the race every year than just a lousy spectator like some of these other pathetic franchise's!

-4 points
6
10
Duneslick's picture

January 24, 2022 at 11:41 am

Ever heard of the salary cap

1 points
2
1
GP1's picture

January 24, 2022 at 03:17 pm

Rogers is old and getting older and slower and more fixed in his ways.
When did we last go to S.B. with Rogers?
Rogers is amid season marvel but a post season flop.
We won't know what love is about until we play him for a season and find out - just like Roger.
Adams is rapidly approaching the cliff due to age
David Bak' does not look like he has recovered from his knee and possibly won't .
Zadarius is gone
MVS is explosive with exploding hamstrings; terrible combination
Crosby is too old
Lewis is too old
Cobb is too old
Kelly is too old
King too expensive for what one gets.
Time to clean house.

0 points
3
3
Booner's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:25 am

So dump the MVP and go full steam ahead with Love? Look at the teams out there that don't have a QB they are the bottom feeder's in their division's! We will regret that move forever! Keep Rodger's and restructure his deal. He has a lot of gas in the tank as long as he wants to play. The offensive line played like shit Saturday night! SF was owning them in Pass P and in the run game. You have nothing in this league without a QB! I would rather be in the race every year than just a lousy spectator like some of these other pathetic franchise's!

-1 points
3
4
Booner's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:25 am

So dump the MVP and go full steam ahead with Love? Look at the teams out there that don't have a QB they are the bottom feeder's in their division's! We will regret that move forever! Keep Rodger's and restructure his deal. He has a lot of gas in the tank as long as he wants to play. The offensive line played like shit Saturday night! SF was owning them in Pass P and in the run game. You have nothing in this league without a QB! I would rather be in the race every year than just a lousy spectator like some of these other pathetic franchise's!

-1 points
3
4
Booner's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:25 am

So dump the MVP and go full steam ahead with Love? Look at the teams out there that don't have a QB they are the bottom feeder's in their division's! We will regret that move forever! Keep Rodger's and restructure his deal. He has a lot of gas in the tank as long as he wants to play. The offensive line played like shit Saturday night! SF was owning them in Pass P and in the run game. You have nothing in this league without a QB! I would rather be in the race every year than just a lousy spectator like some of these other pathetic franchise's!

-1 points
3
4
Bearmeat's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:04 am

I've gotten hammered around here since early 2016 - pre "run the table" for saying that the Packers were broken as we knew them. Ted/Mike/Dom AND Aaron all needed to go. I wanted to "blow it up" back then.

I allowed myself to hope last year. I never did this year. I hoped I was wrong, but deep down, I knew. I even put a "call your shot" post on the NFCN Pub, a Facebook group I'm an administrator on: I had the Packers at 13-4 and choking in the NFC CG to the Rams. The Bears and Vikings missing the playoffs and starting over, and the Lions at 3-14.

Yeah. We were never winning it all this year. And the reason was??? #12.

You can't have a "me-first" captain of your ship. 12 has been that since the debacle in Seattle. He hasn't been a team player since then. Showing up other players. Yelling at coaches. Undermining. Politicking. "anonymous sourcing." It has been time to ship his ass to Siberia for about the last 6 years.

I did my Doctoral Dissertation in performance anxiety. Aaron Rodgers had a 1,000 mile stare on Saturday night. Just like he did in 2020. (And just like BLF did in 03, 07 and 09!) And this was BEFORE the game was over. When it was 10-3 and we had to punt (before the block) I knew it was over. When you can only depend on yourself and a couple friends, and not the whole team, you're a liability. And this is NATURAL when someone puts the weight of the world on their shoulders and says: "Give the keys of the castle to ME!" (notice again, it's about him). Yes, STs were ugly, but #12 was THE reason we lost on Saturday.

Trade 12 for a haul. Find a way to franchise and trade 17 for another (lesser) haul. Release 2,18,55,77 and 91. Maybe Lowry too. Find a way to re-up Alexander, Gary, Campbell and Douglas. Get a quality backup for Love - or maybe if they're not fully sold, a higher quality QB to compete. Get ready to rehab 69s value in 22, then trade him before 23 for another big haul. Jenkins is the LT of the future.

Jump start the rebuild. Honestly, I won't be upset with 5-12 for a year or two. Because it would be MY team I'd have back, and not 12's.

Thanks for the (regular season) memories, Aaron. I hope, for your sake, that you finally learn some humility and the necessity of depending on your colleagues to do their jobs well some day.

24 points
31
7
skyler's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:52 am

I totally agree with your assessment. The Rodgers of the past six years is nowhere close to the Mahomes / Allen of today, which we saw last night. He is a broken person, he trusts very few of his teammates. His Ego is off the charts. I do not believe we will get very much for him. I do think Gute is more like Wolf. Ted destroyed this team the last five years of his tenure with his bad drafts and lack of FA picking. MLF is a better coach then MM but is still inexperienced like one of his mentors, Shanahan. I do believe Love is a miss and they will need to find a veteran QB while looking for the next great QB.

1 points
3
2
flackcatcher's picture

January 24, 2022 at 12:00 pm

I remind folks here on CHTY that Ted Thompson wanted to retire, and had made his announcement before the 2013 NFCC game. That Mark Murphy let Ted hang in the wind was one of the most awful things he did to a well respected and honorable man. It was not an accident that the Executive Committee hired Brian Gutekunst over Murphy's objection. Murphy wanted to be Jerry Jones, and got his wish for 2 plus years. Among many of things Gutekunst had to do, was clean up Murphy's messes on the player personnel side of the house. That he did in short order shows how good he and his front office are. The Packers are in good shape with Gute as GM.

0 points
3
3
Bearmeat's picture

January 24, 2022 at 01:45 pm

I never heard that about Murphy! Could you post a link please?

1 points
1
0
croatpackfan's picture

January 24, 2022 at 05:11 pm

No, it was not 2013. That is a lie, or at least incorrect info adapted to your narative. Ted Thompson wanted retirement at the end of 2016, but Murphy talked him out of the idea. At the end of the 2017 season, Thompson resigned for health reason. That is the story.

2 points
2
0
Coldworld's picture

January 25, 2022 at 07:13 pm

Murphy wanted more time to let Ball prove himself as GM in fact. Unfortunately the roster decline was so obvious a year later and MM had begun overtly challenging Ball’s roster decisions that were contrary to his wishes.

0 points
0
0
skyler's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:52 am

I totally agree with your assessment. The Rodgers of the past six years is nowhere close to the Mahomes / Allen of today, which we saw last night. He is a broken person, he trusts very few of his teammates. His Ego is off the charts. I do not believe we will get very much for him. I do think Gute is more like Wolf. Ted destroyed this team the last five years of his tenure with his bad drafts and lack of FA picking. MLF is a better coach then MM but is still inexperienced like one of his mentors, Shanahan. I do believe Love is a miss and they will need to find a veteran QB while looking for the next great QB.

2 points
4
2
packer132's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:55 am

Bearmeat: Best post yet, as you hit the nail on the head. To all the fans that say Rodgers has no weapons, get a clue. He managed to put a 13-4 record with a patched O line, and had Adams, Cobb, MVS, Lazard, Dafney, St. Brown, who all contributed to wins. The defense and special teams were the weak links. Against SF, Rodgers had a 10-3 lead with 6 minutes to play and the ball. Once again, he could not get a first down and the bomb miss to Adams was the dagger. We don't know how many times he overrides the play called by LaFleur but we can't win the big game with him. Adios, Aaron.

7 points
7
0
packer132's picture

January 24, 2022 at 12:52 pm

duplicate

0 points
0
0
packer132's picture

January 24, 2022 at 12:53 pm

duplicate

0 points
0
0
packerbackerjim's picture

January 24, 2022 at 11:47 am

Fully agree with your assessment here. My hope is Gute will obtain Russell Wilson. The team is so close, going thru an extended painful learning period with Love is a waste of time and resources. By the time he gets to near top-their QB level, Love will have to have a second contract, and the need to get rid of other contracts will be nigh.

-5 points
0
5
Michael Nault's picture

January 24, 2022 at 12:12 pm

Very good points, and I agree completely. I have not been a Rodgers fan for at least 10 years now and he has only gotten worse with his" I'm better than you are" attitude

2 points
2
0
Shinesman's picture

January 25, 2022 at 12:57 am

You don't like AR because he is "all about me".... but then say you want him game so you can have "your" team back? Aren't you being "all about me?" There's a question you should go back and examine in your doctoral framework.

And a quality backup for Love? His backup is better than he is. Benkurt plays in KC and we win that game.

-1 points
0
1
Todd's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:34 am

Good and well-reasoned article, Tim. Let the "should he stay or should he go" debate begin.

3 points
3
0
pacman's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:42 am

Recalling one of the Dusty Pass Chronicle posts a few weeks back. I posted on how on a number of the unbelievable thread the needle through double coverage passes to Davante, that other receivers were left wide open. For all his football IQ, I just don't understand how AR could not get that. On second thought, I think his ego always thinks he can make those throws which was obviously not the case this week. He was off on so many throws. So once again it is his ego. But any great QB will probably have that problem.

So my solution is to try to keep AR but Davante will have to be let go and a bunch of others, of course. Maybe that will force AR to spread the ball around.

Ok, it's Monday morning and I still don't see that they fired Drayton!

I'm still on the fence about MLF but I'll probably be able to get over that. :)
But seriously, he has serious problems adjusting mid game and serious problems preparing the team and a serious problem that he didn't fire Drayton earlier. He says it's on him. What's he going to do about it?

5 points
7
2
Jvschultz's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:10 am

Maybe ML is a bigger part of the problem than many realize. Was he truly ready to be a head coach ? You point out that he did not do anything about Special Teams. Being last in the league on ST calls for a change at that position ASAP. Also not sure if he is good at changing the play plan during a big game. Without Rodgers we would find out very quickly if he is truly a great leader, After the !wt quarter, the plan was not working. What changes did he make ?

2 points
4
2
Leatherhead's picture

January 24, 2022 at 06:33 pm

Well, he's had more success than any coach in NFL history in his first three years.
He's made the playoffs all three years.
He put the league's top offense on the field in 2020.

So all this " Fire LaFleur, he's no good" stuff is just malarky. Why would you change the plan during a big game? Your entire staff worked 70 hour weeks preparing the team to play and you're just going to scrap that in the heat of the moment? Why?

-1 points
1
2
RCPackerFan's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:47 am

I am PISSED! I have never been this angry after a game. To lose how we lost, to lose in anyway this weekend to me is just a pathetic attempt at the game by our team. This is a team game and our team let all of us fans down. I did not watch any of the games yesterday as I lost complete interest in watching anymore football. I don't know if I will watch anymore this year. We will see.

I blame Rodgers for now doing his part. He locked into Adams to much. He didn't see the whole field. I blame LaFleur for not designing better quicker plays. I blame the decision to to put Turner at LT and not use Yosh. I blame the injury to Dillon that really affected our late 4th quarter offense. I blame our defense. Most will be crazy to hear me say this, because they were lights out good. Why am I blaming the defense? Because they had plays they could have made and failed to do so. Stokes had an easy interception and probably pick 6 if he plays the ball. There was another one I think Campbell has an interception if he goes for it. And then when the game was on the line they needed to not give up 7 yards on 3rd down. They gave up 9.

While I blame those areas of the team, what lost the game for us was special teams. We can blame the coach, but is it the coaches fault that the players simply didn't block people? A blocked FG that Lancaster simply didn't do anything. Somehow on the blocked punt the LS was in charge of blocking a guy? That is guys not doing their jobs. Special teams cost us 10 points in a game that we lost by 3. The Special teams needs a complete overhaul. I'm talking about coaching and philosophy. Got get a special teams coach from Baltimore. They are the top ranked special teams.

Before this weekend I thought the chances of Rodgers returning were pretty high actually. You could see his attitude change towards GB as the season wore on. After this weekend and the way they lost, I am not sure. I can see him coming back, reworking his deal, or leaving.
As far as a rebuild. If Rodgers comes back it won't be a complete rebuild. He won't come back unless they get Adams back. There will be a number a new players but a lot of our key players will be back. Jones, Dillon, Bakhtiari, Jenkins, Myers, Runyan, Newman, Turner (? I can't remember his contract off the top of my head), Clark, Slaton, Gary, Barnes, Amos, Savage, Stokes, Alexander. That is a really good group of players that we know will be here. There will be changes. But there needs to be changes. We need better WR's, TE's. We need to try and find a way to bring back Douglas and Campbell. Possibly bring back a guy like Mercilus on a low deal.
If Rodgers leaves they will more changes made.

This all being said I am just going to warn every Packer fan to be careful what you wish for. If you are wishing for Rodgers to be done and to be gone, that is your choice. BUT, if we turn into an average team that barely makes the playoffs year after year, how fun will that be? Think of how many teams fans would be on their hands and knees begging to be in our situation. I agree I want more. But just wanting a different QB may not get us that. There is a very real possibility that we don't make the playoffs for a while with a new QB. Look at previous teams with good QB's and how long it took for them to get back into winning football. Cowboys have yet to win a Super Bowl since Aikman left. 49ers were pretty mediocre after Young for along time. Titans after McNair. Broncos after Elway. There are many more to choose from. But the grass is not always greener, so just be careful what you wish for.

8 points
12
4
SteelyPhil's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:17 am

Rodgers won't win us a championship. If he couldn't do it these past two years with these two rosters, it's just not in the cards. Better to roll the dice and make a change than to bet on a sure loser.

Being mediocre for a bit isn't the end of the world, either, when that's the expectation. Heartbreak year after year after year when expectations are through the roof is pretty torturous, as you and I and every other Packers fan well knows.

6 points
8
2
RCPackerFan's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:24 am

I guess there is something to having the season over in September/October. You can spend more time looking at college prospects and looking forward to the draft longer. That is definitely one way to go.

-3 points
1
4
Coldworld's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:32 am

Nothing lasts forever. That’s the only certain truth. Overstaying on the basis of the past just deepens the pit one falls into. At the bottom the only way is up and the pleasure has to be in scrabbling upwards. There is enjoyment in that. There is little in false or departed hope.

4 points
5
1
RCPackerFan's picture

January 24, 2022 at 11:30 am

You really want to get rid of Rodgers and be the worst team in the league for a few years? Is that what you just said?

1 points
2
1
Bearmeat's picture

January 24, 2022 at 03:53 pm

Yes. If that's what it takes to build a title contender again.

The ARod era is over. We could hang onto it in a bad division and lose in the WC round next year. And be 8-9 the year after and and and. Remember the 80s Celtics? Those guys were still playing (badly) together in the early to mid 90s. I don't want that.

1 points
3
2
Grandfathered's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:08 pm

Poetic.

0 points
0
0
Razer's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:34 am

At some point, you need to rip the band-aid off. Rodgers has already stated that he isn't interested in a rebuild team. With the Packer $40+ million over the cap, that pretty well spells "I am out of here".

You are right that, the Packers will not be the regular season darling without Rodgers and that will be tough to swallow. But to miss the trade value window for Rodgers by trying to get another good season out of a guy who labelled this year as the 'last dance' (and then played like it) would be the bigger mistake.

4 points
5
1
RCPackerFan's picture

January 24, 2022 at 11:42 am

Sure, rip off the bandaid when you think you have the guy to replace him. I personally don't feel they do. Do the Packers feel that way? I'm guessing no, but I don't know what they know.

The Packers would get a LOT of cap relief in a restructured deal with Rodgers if they choose to. There will be other moves made as well.

The guy who labelled this year the last dance was a different person at the end of the year then he was at the beginning. His relationship with Gutey greatly improved. That is why I don't think he is out the door already.

As far as trade value, lets say he goes to Pittsburg. We 2-3 first round picks from them. Every one of those picks is in the 20's, if not 30's. What kind of value is that? You aren't getting a shot at one of the best QB's, nor the top players in the draft. Sure you are getting talent for other positions, but if there is a HUGE drop off at the QB spot, then it really doesn't make much of a difference. Perhaps Love can be the guy, I just haven't seen anything that says he will be at this point.

-2 points
3
5
Leatherhead's picture

January 24, 2022 at 04:59 pm

RC, I understand that you're afraid we might suck for a while after Rodgers. I get that, people thought that about Favre, too. What are you actually afraid of?

That the organization doesn't know what it's doing? That Love can't play? That the scouts and personnel people and coaches were wrong? That LaFleur and his staff can't put a competitive product on the field without Rodgers?

You should have more faith, amigo. Because fear is a very bad counselor, and we shouldn't give in to it. Fear is just the shadow of opportunity. Embrace the change. The past is no longer an option.

0 points
4
4
croatpackfan's picture

January 24, 2022 at 05:18 pm

Very well said. You have my signature under this post.

0 points
2
2
Packers0808's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:53 am

Time for Rodgers to ride off into the preferred land of doing what he always did, try to find glory and not do best for the team. Retire go get married and write your memories of your covid saga and your me me world! Tired of antics! Don't think or know IF Love is ready, but the days of Rodgers are gone by in Green Bay!

-4 points
7
11
Fubared's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:07 am

My take is different. I think Rodgers was unhappy with the defense and special team play all year but really said nothing. He understood the onus was on him and that the mentality of the org, "dont need a good defense if you can score more points then your opponent".
If he leaves and I think he will, we will be stuck with a pos o line that is make up of mostly cast offs, a special team that aint so special, a secondary that the stars cant stay healthy and a kicker who is beyond retirement, both of them.
It was Rodgers who made this team way way better then they were and pack fans will find that out quickly.

-8 points
10
18
MarkinMadison's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:21 am

"dont need a good defense if you can score more points then your opponent".

Really? How can you take yourself seriously after writing that? What team were you watching this year?

6 points
7
1
MarkinMadison's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:22 am

"dont need a good defense if you can score more points then your opponent".

Really? How can you take yourself seriously after writing that? What team were you watching this year?

0 points
0
0
Houndog's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:22 am

Payne,
It's hard to argue any one of your points as almost all of them are fantasy.

5 points
6
1
MarkinMadison's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:23 am

Houndog, I owe you a beer for that one.

1 points
2
1
Razer's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:24 am

...It was Rodgers who made this team way way better then they were and pack fans will find that out quickly...

This is the part that I am not looking forward to. We will be back in the stew with the Bears, Vikes and Lions. No more looking down at the peasant folk.

1 points
2
1
Houndog's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:11 am

Okay,
I'll make this short, and then the 'thumbs-down' can start.
As I often do, I agree with NickPerry, it's time for Rodgers to go. Here's a thought.

The articles are saying that Hackett is still in the running for the Broncos job, if he gets it send Rodgers along.
Maybe even work to make it a package deal that could work for everyone.
Take the two first round picks from Denver, and trade one of them to Baltimore for Tyler Huntley,
Use the money saved on Rodgers to keep Campbell, Douglas, and some re-negotiations to keep the D intact
And let's go!

1 points
8
7
Razer's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:48 am

I am right with you on the Denver (or equivalent) option. I am not sold on Huntley. Running QB's should be fairly common given the college game these days. I also like the Campbell/Douglas retention. We would be lucky to keep one.

1 points
2
1
dobber's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:34 am

"trade one of them to Baltimore for Tyler Huntley,"

I would rather use a 2nd or 3rd on Malik Willis and use my 1s to draft pass rushers and pass catchers.

6 points
6
0
Leatherhead's picture

January 24, 2022 at 05:07 pm

We can certainly get Ty Huntley for less than a first round pick. I like the idea, but not if I have to burn a premium pick.

Offensively, IMO, nothing improves the offense more than a TE who can get his man blocked AND be a factor in the pass game. We like to run double TE sets a lot but we don't even have one guy who is above average in both areas. Tonyan, perhaps, but we'll see what he's like after the injury, and without Rodgers. I'd look real hard at getting a premium guy in the draft.

Defensively, we could use a good player at every level, but I'm most concerned about safety. Amos is already making $11 million a year. Savage will be in the final year of his deal and will have to be paid. And we play three safeties a lot and don't really have that third guy.

2 points
3
1
HawkPacker's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:08 am

Some good ideas Houndog. I like Huntley. However, we better get more for Rodgers than 2 first rounders. What did Detroit get for their quarterback. Rodgers is better than him!

Also, based on what another commentor stated. Maybe we can get one of Baltimore's special teams coaches.

-1 points
1
2
Coldworld's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:38 am

Huntley doesn’t have a strong arm, but he’d fit the system otherwise. I don’t think he’s a long term answer though, he is a type who have a short career and a decent ceiling. Love is going to get a chance to show what he has. I’d take Huntley cheap, but I doubt he will be.

-1 points
2
3
Coldworld's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:41 am

If the team decides Rodgers is no longer able to win it, anything reasonable we get is a plus given the cap benefits moving forward. If we get a good first and third, I’d be quite happy in those circumstances. I’m not sure that isn’t a tad optimistic.

2 points
3
1
HawkPacker's picture

January 25, 2022 at 06:03 am

Seems to me that Detroit got much more for Stafford. So you think Stafford is more valuable than Rodgers or are you just so disappointed in the outcome of the SF game that it is clouding your thinking.

Coldwater, I really do respect your thinking on the Packers in general but just wondering your thoughts regarding Rodgers.

0 points
0
0
Coldworld's picture

January 25, 2022 at 07:21 pm

Stafford is younger, which is most important, and also has less off field baggage. He also found a team willing to mortgage its future. I don’t know if I’d rely on that happening again this year. It could, but the key is a bidding war. I don’t like to rely on that.

1 points
1
0
scoonie_penn's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:13 am

GB gave him almost everything he asked for. If he had even an average game GB wins. If this wasn't enough, what is? It's time to move on.

3 points
7
4
Razer's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:18 am

Yeah, it is time. Great regular season QB who can play against the masses. His playoff record tells a different tale that can't be ignored. I do think that a true WR2 and some speed would have made a difference but there is enough talent to get you past a team that can't score an offensive TD.

Bottom line is that we can't afford this team moving forward so changes will be needed. Rodgers, Adams, Z, Lewis, Turner will likely be gone. I do not have a good feeling about the draft stock to fill in for these losses. Gutekunst has done a good job with FA but his draft performance is fairly weak. I am hoping that Jordan Love isn't part of this poor draft result (I fear that he is)

I am thinking Rodgers goes to either Denver or Indy. Big question - what can we get for him

0 points
3
3
MarkinMadison's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:30 am

Ja, Gary, Savage, Jenkins, Stokes, Dillon, Myers. And those are just the highlights. I think Gute has done a damn good job drafting. Better than I expected. Far better than his predecessor when it comes to picking DBs.

5 points
5
0
Razer's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:13 am

Drop Savage out of this keeper list and you pretty well have Gutekunst's first 4 drafts. These are all top 2 picks. Not much championship drafting after this little subset.

-2 points
1
3
MarkinMadison's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:24 am

That's just silly. Good GMs miss on high round picks all the time.

Deguara, Runyan, Garvin, Newman, Slayton, Hill, MVS. All of these guys have started or contributed meaningful snaps.

3 points
3
0
SteelyPhil's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:33 am

JRJ has played well, Slaton flashed at times, Newman has had to take his lumps but has talent, Kylin Hill looked great before the ACL injury. UDFAs like Nijman and Barnes have given them a lot of production, too.

I don't understand the obsession with every single missed pick in a draft. Every single team has bad misses on every single draft. You hope for a few great hits that you can build around plus some young roster-fillers that give you meaningful snaps. Gute has clearly done that. The quality of the 2021 roster was not the reason the Packers lost this year.

3 points
3
0
HarryHodag's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:21 am

There's an old statement about divorce: when you're thinking about it, you're already divorced. Clearly Rodgers was thinking about it already last year.

But I'm not certain Rodgers wants to be traded. I think he just might retire. That is bad news for the Packers. They will still be hit with the his salary to the tune of about $17 million in dead cap and have nothing in return.
Fingers crossed he still wants to play somewhere and they want him. But his value clearly has dropped looking at his post-season performance.
I've long thought that Adams will go where Rodgers ends up. I'm still thinking Denver or Pittsburgh.

I'm also not 100 percent sure that Love will take his place. The Packers will have to bring in a veteran next season and that veteran well could be the starter if Love doesn't come out of the blocks like a guy now in his third year in the system.

All told, Rodgers returning to Green Bay stacks up at about 5%. My hope is the fans realize 2022 isn't likely to be 13-4 again and please, no more 'we want Aaron back'. It's over, time to move on.

4 points
9
5
x24's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:55 am

Agreed on Love- he's had enough time to at least show a spark- and I just haven't seen it. Our next QB is on a roster somewhere

-2 points
3
5
LambeauPlain's picture

January 24, 2022 at 12:30 pm

No one can evaluate and project QB success after just 6 quarters of regular season NFL football. In those 6 quarters, Love actually outplayed Mahomes for 4 quarters but STs couldn't kick a FG...and vs Detroit he moved the team better in the second half than Rodgers did in the first half. Love had the team ahead late in the game playing with 2nd and 3rd stringers but the D gave the game away.

Love was essentially a redshirt Freshman this year. Give him a full training camp playing with the "ones" and he will be fine.

0 points
1
1
Coldworld's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:45 am

The team originally seemed to target Love for after next season. They effectively redshirted him in his first year with no preseason and not having him run the scout team. I think it’s very possible that they bring in a vet to start the season at least.

1 points
2
1
mrtundra's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:23 am

It's now Love's team. Thanks ARod for all you did as our QB. I think Gute will trade Rodgers for picks, unless Rodgers retires and messes those plans up. Also gone, will most likely be, Adams, Cobb, Zadarious, Lewis and maybe Bakh. We need to address the salary cap and releasing/trading these guys will go along ways towards that end. These are big changes, but ones we need to make. We need to draft for need, as well, and that is something we have not done, in a while.

-5 points
0
5
mrtundra's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:24 am

It's now Love's team. Thanks ARod for all you did as our QB. I think Gute will trade Rodgers for picks, unless Rodgers retires and messes those plans up. Also gone, will most likely be, Adams, Cobb, Zadarious, Lewis and maybe Bakh. We need to address the salary cap and releasing/trading these guys will go along ways towards that end. These are big changes, but ones we need to make. We need to draft for need, as well, and that is something we have not done, in a while.

0 points
1
1
packer132's picture

January 24, 2022 at 11:29 am

I agree with most of this, though Packers did draft for need. Last year was #1 Stokes (CB); #2 Myers (C) after Linsley left; #3 Amari (WR) slot and return player. He should be much better next year. #4 Newman (G) who ended up starting many games with injuries to the line; #5 Slaton (DT) definitely a need position and he will impact more next year. The 2020 draft gave depth and some starters: Dillon (RB); Deguara (TE); Runyan (G); Garvin (DE). The 2022 draft should see: WR, TE, DE, LB, OT, QB.

3 points
3
0
mrtundra's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:25 am

It's now Love's team. Thanks ARod for all you did as our QB. I think Gute will trade Rodgers for picks, unless Rodgers retires and messes those plans up. Also gone, will most likely be, Adams, Cobb, Zadarious, Lewis and maybe Bakh. We need to address the salary cap and releasing/trading these guys will go along ways towards that end. These are big changes, but ones we need to make. We need to draft for need, as well, and that is something we have not done, in a while.

-1 points
1
2
Leatherhead's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:41 am

Embrace the change. The past is no longer an option.

1 points
6
5
flackcatcher's picture

January 24, 2022 at 12:09 pm

We all knew how this was going to end. Either Rodger's changed or he was gone. Gute was very clear on that even during Rodger's little mini preseason drama. Well, he left the Packers with 6:00 left in the fourth quarter. So be it. Let the era of Love begin...

2 points
3
1
MarkinMadison's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:49 am

I think if you look at Rodgers' post-season play, throughout his career, and look at the salary cap situation, I think it is really hard to make the argument to keep him. Other than the NFCCG in the year they went to the Super Bowl, Rodgers' stats have been pretty average over the years. He doesn't take over the game, he doesn't make the clutch throw at the right time - something Brady was doing very well even last year. I'm not saying he can't win another Super Bowl - Trent Dilfer won a Super Bowl, Payton Manning clearly in decline won a Super Bowl, John Elway clearly in decline won a Super Bowl - but if he ever was the guy to carry a team to the Super Bowl, he is not that guy now. It's just not who he is, and I think we've all feared that for a while. If he stays he has to make a serious financial sacrifice so that he is not part of a massive rebuild, AND he has to fully buy into the MLF system. I don't think he will do either of those things, but the choice is up to him.

One real problem with trading him - most of the teams that will want him, and who can afford him, are in the AFC. I think there is a reason Tom chose an NFC team. There are a lot of really great young QBs in the AFC. Getting to a Super Bowl over there will not be easy at all. If you're Rodgers, and you want to come back to prove something, where do you go?

-1 points
2
3
13TimeChamps's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:13 am

"If you're Rodgers, and you want to come back to prove something, where do you go?"

I know the smart money is on Denver, but I've never been able to shake San Fran. If they get beat by LA this weekend, I wouldn't be surprised to see them move on from JimmyG. Trey Lance probably isn't ready to take over. Bring in Rodgers for 2-3 years and they're instant SB contenders. Add in the fact that SF made a play for Rodgers last off season AND they were Rodgers favorite team growing up. What a perfect way for him to end his career.

And, lastly, he could finally prove they should have taken him #1 in 2005. It all adds up.

0 points
1
1
barutanseijin's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:06 pm

He didn’t play well in the NCFCG in Chicago, either. He had something like a 55 passer rating. His best play was a tackle on Urlacher on an INT return. No way 2022 Rodgers would try that.

-1 points
0
1
LeotisHarris's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:53 am

I agree, Tim, and I'm sorry there's no in-person NFCCG at Lambeau in your immediate future. Coulda shoulda woulda. Sucks.

Nagler said it in his Gut Reactions; 12 looked like he wanted to be somewhere else. Did you watch Allen and Mahomes literally will their teams down the field in the late stages of the game yesterday? What kept the soon-to-be three-time MVP and smartest guy in the room from doing the same? Don't great players take over games?

One small thing, Tim. Hone in vs home in; to find something or get closer to something, you home in on it. To sharpen something is to hone it. Thanks for all your work this season.

3 points
5
2
PackEyedOptimist's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:30 am

The hone/home thing makes me cringe every time I read or hear it, but it's being used constantly by the sports community. You hone a knife! Homing pigeons/missiles! You home in on a target! You sharpen a blade! Ugh. It's a lost cause for us LH.

3 points
3
0
Razer's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:58 am

I will add that a change for Rodgers may be the best thing for his career. New weapons, new influences and new scenery would probably fit at this point in his life. Good for him. He has given us Packer fans a lot to cheer and celebrate each and every year. A little better management by the Packer front-office may have yielded better results but it is what it is.

I am sorry to see him leave this way.

0 points
3
3
SteelyPhil's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:08 am

The longer I sit with this loss, the more convinced I am that a complete rebuild is the only way for the franchise to go forward if they want a chance to compete this decade. There are 3-4 games that actually matter for any championship-quality team; everything else is effectively an extended preseason where you hope to be playing at or close to full strength by the end of it. The 49ers were a worse team and came into Lambeau and still made this team - one of the best rosters in football in very good health - look completely stupid.

Rodgers put up one of the best regular seasons for a QB ever last year and should be the MVP again this year. He choked this game away. In 2020 I was willing to extend a little more accident forgiveness because of the defense, but not after Saturday, even with special teams giving the game away. While there's no guarantee of success 2-3 years down the road with Love (or whoever the guy is), I feel 100% certain that this team cannot win in the postseason with 12 under center.

MLF has won a lot of games, gets a lot out of his players, and is still a young coach. The defense will have a lot of good pieces even after this offseason, whatever it brings. Rebuild the offensive line to reinvigorate the run game and let's see what Love does over the next couple of seasons.

3 points
7
4
Oppy's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:09 am

There's about 3 posters here who have seen the writing on the wall and have been talking about the immediate situation since the Packers started re-negotiating player contracts last off season. We were being told we had no idea what we were talking about right up until the conclusion of Saturday's divisional playoff game. Some of us have been watching this thing unravel from within for over a half decade.

4 points
8
4
Bearmeat's picture

January 24, 2022 at 03:57 pm

You were the first on that train, Oppy. I've long detested 12, the guy. But overlooked it for 12, the player. I jumped on the train before "Run the Table" then back off it (for good) in 2018 mid year. (He was out in 17).

You and I have taken a lot of abuse over the years. Kudos for staying on what you knew was right.

1 points
2
1
bjkdad44's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:17 am

Sadly… I must agree… sighs…

0 points
1
1
stockholder's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:27 am

This is so funny now. It’s just plain STUPID. But you can’t fix stupid. If Your sick of Losing. Wait till Rodgers is Gone. The damage was done with the drafting of Love. Gutey poisoned your minds with Fantasy, rather then reality. The reality is 50 million dollars over the cap, has you hooked. Hooked into Gutey Glory. Rather then Rodgers last Hoo rah. (As we all believed.) So you see the signs of aging with Rodgers. Yet you didn’t see those same signs with BAHK, Z. Smith, and Adams. The bottom line is: You know when Rodgers doesn’t get time to throw it. He does Lock into 1 WR he trusts. And it was Adams. His frustration has always been the downfall. THAT IS WHAT YOU SAW! WHY? Dump and move on. Why? YOU CAN”T FORCE RODGERS! AND THAT HAS PISSED YOU DOUBTERS OFF! How ever you want to look at it. Rodgers must stay. And the dead money players must go. The guys that milk the Trainers. The big Ideas of Adams to make 27 million. ----- Had Gutey drafted the WRS, like he should have. You’d see the speed, this Offense So LACKS! THE QUICK FIX never works. WE added pieces this season that take other teams years. WE can’t let the list of Needs go ON and ON. Play the hand your Dealt. We have the MVP and he’s going to be a packer for Life. Bank on it!

-8 points
4
12
Coldworld's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:51 am

“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.” Soren Kierkegaard

0 points
1
1
stockholder's picture

January 24, 2022 at 11:00 am

The Game is stats now. If they don't have it now. They won't have later.

1 points
1
0
Coldworld's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:52 am

“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.” Soren Kierkegaard

0 points
1
1
Oppy's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:52 pm

What you will always refuse to see is that the drafting of Jordan Love wasn't the catalyst of a negative situation. The drafting of Jordan Love was the response to a negative situation.

4 points
5
1
jhtobias's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:35 am

Agreed time to move on it has taken its course.. nightmare scenario is if Rodgers wants to retire . Still hut with dead money and no compensation for a trade.

Whatever happens a new day is upon packer land

-1 points
1
2
Coldworld's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:39 am

The writing has been on the wall for the entire season, but this started much further back, and not with the drafting of Love.

After the Packers faced up to the state of the roster in the aftermath of TT, they started to retool through youth and investment in free agents. The team has got stronger each year and the cap has rolled steadily towards the untenable. Improve the team, keep Rodgers, develop players, add what one can to make us competitive even at the cost of a cap precipice. Build a young core for the years afterward.

Contrary to the Brady exception (possibly now itself drawing to an end), QBs seldom play into 40s and are typically not their former selves as they do. Love was an opportunity to pick a developmental talent just as TT had, but for after the cap explosion. An opportunity to try to give the team something when the era ended.

Rodgers hasn’t been bad at all, a pleasant summer in the fall of his career last year and to some extent this. He has, however, proved unable to lift an increasingly strong roster over the hurdle when it matters. Moreover he’s failed in similar circumstances and ways each time.

Here we sit with a massively over cap salary structure. The youth is now both impressive and getting to the point where some must start getting paid. Rodgers’ group of intimates is aging. Bakh has missed a year and is looking like a poor contractual decision, Crosby may have played his last game, Lewis too. Adams has earned a level of pay we have no hope of sustaining. Cobb flashed but, as predicted, couldn’t stay healthy and contribute when it really mattered. He’s likely a cap casualty.

There is no way that a team can kick all this forward. Keep Rodgers and the roster declines in quality notably and the team weakens its future options by borrowing from tomorrow as well. Rodgers has shown he can’t lift what we have this year or last. It is futile to think he can lift a lesser roster.

For these reasons, the Packers will move on (and it’s quite possible Rodgers demands it too). They will not be doing this for Love, they are going to do it to prevent hamstringing our roster for years with additional dead money and allow them to build around a young corps of promising players. They almost certainly know that’s no given recipe for success, but it does offer a possibility where it’s clear one does not exist now.

Love will get a chance to be part of that, but it’s not unlikely that we draft competition or sign it or simply bring in a player to start and give him longer to develop. Clearing out now will result in complimentary picks in future, picks this year through trade, perhaps even a player. Delaying risks getting far less and having far less to play with.

There was never going to be a good time for the Rodgers era to end. We got very lucky with Favre, but Father Time was always coming up behind it at some point. The team built knowing that, the resulting cap and on field outcomes now make it inevitable that the time is now, regardless of what Rogers or Love turn out to be doing in the coming years. Adams will be paid. It’s his only chance at a mega contract and he’s earned it. Bakh may be here a year and then will be gone. If they could get a trade partner they’d likely give him for little at this point. They probably won’t get one though.

The team is going to spend on Alexander and keeping players like Campbell if it can and on drafting or otherwise in talent to replace the likes of Z and at WR and TE. The dynamic is irresistible at this point and all the patterns of roster and cap construction support it.

A new age is dawning and it may not be pretty, especially if, like me, one thinks LaFleur is a big part of the reason we couldn’t learn and prevent a threefold repeat of the same tactical errors that sunk us. Love may prosper, he may not, but the team is geared to help whomever is QB, and that’s no accident. Strong Ds and good runners and a young, developing O line that has been heavily invested in. The strategy is to give the best base for the post Rodgers era that was possible while that era continued.

We live in interesting times as Packers fans. That’s a curse and perhaps a blessing at some point, but it won’t be dull. It is inevitable at this point. Sentiment and the past mean nothing, or shouldn’t to Murphy and co.

5 points
10
5
Guam's picture

January 24, 2022 at 11:10 am

If I could CW, I would give you many thumbs up for this excellent summary of the situation the Packers face. I strongly believe that it will be a mutual decision between Rodgers and the Packers to part company. Rodgers wants to play and will want to prove the Packers wrong and the Packers need to rebuild and not around a 38/39 year old QB.

I think the interesting part will be how much influence Rodgers has over what team he gets traded to. The highest bidder may not be the team he wants to play for. We live in interesting times.........

-1 points
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Oppy's picture

January 24, 2022 at 07:58 pm

The only real influence Rodgers has over who he plays for is his ability to retire if he doesn't like it.

That's strong influence, if he's actually willing to end his career over his dislike of trading partner. I think he actually would, just to spite the Packers, so yeah, he's got influence.

2 points
3
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4thand1's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:49 am

After Favre almost everyone said the Pack was done. When has Love had a chance really? One game with the starters against KC. ONE GAME! He never suited up for a game his 1st year so AR's feelings wouldn't get hurt. He put up 17 points against the lolions with the practice squad. All we get for the last 2 years is picking at the bottom of the draft with gut punch losses going into the off season. This last loss was it for me, fuck all the drama, the Pack gave the prima donna everything and we got shit on again.

1 points
5
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Philarod's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:47 am

I don't agree on so many of the negative assumptions within, but if it's time to move on, so be it.

But one last thought. Rodgers, over the years, has been a terrific postseason QB. Saturday night, average.
But what did he have to work with offensive. A patchwork, overmatched line, one good RB, crappy TE play and one very good receiver. If we didn't have the worst special teams, perhaps ever, we still win.

Not scoring any points on or after the long pass to AJones was a killer

1 points
3
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Oppy's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:01 pm

"Not scoring any points on or after the long pass to AJones was a killer"

True, and you have to ask our MVP QB why he burned 5 seconds off the clock while he was under center barking out a cadence instead of spiking the ball, which would have given the Packers enough time for one shot to the endzone before sending out the FG unit.

2 points
3
1
Philarod's picture

January 25, 2022 at 07:45 am

sorry for the duplicate - this site has been glitching.

1 points
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Philarod's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:48 am

I don't agree on so many of the negative assumptions within, but if it's time to move on, so be it.

But one last thought. Rodgers, over the years, has been a terrific postseason QB. Saturday night, average.
But what did he have to work with offensive. A patchwork, overmatched line, one good RB, crappy TE play and one very good receiver. If we didn't have the worst special teams, perhaps ever, we still win.

Not scoring any points on or after the long pass to AJones was a killer.

1 points
2
1
Handsback's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:03 am

Didn't watch the game, recorded it and decided to look at the results...OMG. What a shi_ show. OK, it's been mentioned above but let me stress...the OLine did fine in the first drive because they used their offense. When the Packers decided to leave that phase, after the fumble by Lewis, the offense fell apart. Both OTs were getting pushed around. Why MLF didn't get back to to the gameplan or move their OLine back to how they were doing during the regular season I have no idea.
Yeah the STs sucked wind. Is this a new revalation? No, and should have been fixed long ago. My only complaint with the D was the 49ers last drive...again Amos was the only safety to show up in that game and if house cleaning happens and they are looking for players I hope they grab a safety.
Burrows, Rothesburger, Brady, Mahomes, and Allen all showed something that Rodgers doesn't seem to have...taking a team further than they are capable in must win situations. Rodgers did it once, but he won't do it again with the Packers.
Yes, start anew and concentrate on the oline, and DBs and allow Love or whoever the QB is to learn and run that offense. Might as well forget the playoffs for a few years. It just won't happen.

1 points
4
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Philarod's picture

January 24, 2022 at 11:05 am

Rodgers took this team further than almost any other QB would have his whole career. One less than stellar game - in tough conditions, by the way - does not change that.

1 points
4
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Wrongbayfeldlman's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:09 am

Axgreed, there is a very good chance Love would’ve scored enough points to win that game.
Rodgers selfish act last year and his choking in the big games has run its course in GB.

-2 points
4
6
Roadrunner23's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:15 am

Off season check list ✅

1 - Fire Mo Drayton and hire a competent veteran special teams coach.
2 - Let M. Lewis walk
3 - Let M. Crosby walk
4 - Cut Z. Smith
5 - Trade Aaron Rodgers
6 - Let Davante walk
7 - Let MVS walk
8 - Restructure or trade Bakhtiari
9 - Cut B. Turner
10-Extend Campbell & Douglass
11-Let D. Lowery walk
12-Cut Cobb
13-Sign Tonyan to prove it deal
14-Restructure Amos
15-Let Burks walk
16-Let C. Sullivan walk
17-Restructure P. Smith
18-Extend Lazard
19-Restructure Jones
20-Sign veteran back up QB
21-Draft DL-WR-OL-TE-Edge

This is going to be a 3 year rebuild at least with Packers going to a more MLF run based offense and focused more on building the Defense. The Rodgers era is officially over and as with the Favre era a disappointing finish. No storybook ending for either but a bunch of wins and NFC North Crowns.
So long Aaron Rodgers see you in the HOF
Let the new era and the Great Rebuild begin!

1 points
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PackEyedOptimist's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:42 am

I agree with your first twenty, but if we have Jenkins, Bakhtiari, Myers, Nijman, and our guards, we're okay. I think we really need a safety; I've lost faith in Savage, and a better slot player's possibly Savagery would help.

-1 points
0
1
stockholder's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:50 am

Bahk is Done. Z. Smith posted Thanks. He's Done. And If they Don't Place the Franchise tag on Adams he's Done. MVS is done if Adams stays. Lowrey will get re-signed.

-2 points
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Oppy's picture

January 24, 2022 at 08:27 pm

Respectfully, the points I disagree with:

7 - Let MVS walk - I would attempt to sign at a modest journeyman type figure. He's not a #1. He's a #3. Try to retain him as such.

8 - Restructure or trade Bakhtiari - Bakh looked great vs. Lions. #1 priority when rebuilding around a young QB is OL. Bakh plays out his contract unless the knee takes a setback. If it does, that's when Yosh goes in and takes the reigns, and you move on from Bakh.

9 - Cut B. Turner - Turner is the best RT on the team and it's not close. He should play out his contract and we go from there. Same reasons as Bakh.

10-Extend Campbell & Douglass - Agree but must be cautious with these contracts.

13-Sign Tonyan to prove it deal - I would like Tonyan back and I agree with being careful spending after the knee, but he might balk at a prove it deal and walk. Young QBs need that security blanket TE.

16-Let C. Sullivan walk - I think Sullivan played well and is a good, young nickel/dime back. He's part of the squad. Sign him. He won't break the bank.

0 points
0
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DanL's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:41 am

Please move on. This recurring nightmare should be ended.

-3 points
1
4
DanL's picture

January 24, 2022 at 10:56 am

I have doubts AR is a highly valued QB, anymore. Maybe some GM will see it different and make a deal. Fools gold. Even the losing QB’s in the playoffs so far substantially outplayed AR. Let the new era begin.

0 points
2
2
Philarod's picture

January 24, 2022 at 12:20 pm

Obviously, that's true in the case of Allen.
But mostly untrue: Tannehill stunk, Brady was bad until the Rams started self-destructing.
Others? None of Murray, Prescott or Hurts were as good.
Who else? Big Ben wasn't good, Carr was okay. Am I forgetting anyone?
And Jimmy G was not better in the same game.
All that said, I think this was the only time Rodgers and his offense didn't score 20 in 21 postseason games. Some of this is, obviously, on him.

2 points
3
1
Shinesman's picture

January 25, 2022 at 01:19 am

Heard Philly has three 1st rounders and was mentioned as a possible target. They always do dumb shit. If we can fleece em for a couple firsts, a third, and Minshew.... do it.

1 points
1
0
JLab3's picture

January 24, 2022 at 11:21 am

Watching our MVP QB fire off a complete dud on Saturday night and comparing to the incredible Allen-Mahomes show last night , it's pretty obvious the Rodgers era must end, now.

The fact is our defense was outstanding. But, aside from the opening drive, the offense was almost as inept and embarrassing as special teams . The media will give Rodgers a platform for another off season of finger pointing and belly aching but fans have seen this act before and it won't fly after another major failure. Put #12 in the appropriate Halls of Fame, get the salary cap under control, get what you can for the guy in trade and move on.

0 points
2
2
BillofAltoona's picture

January 24, 2022 at 11:29 am

Remember when so many of us were asking: "Have the Packers wasted Aaron Rodgers' prime"? I think a better question may be: "Did Aaron Rodgers waste Aaron Rodgers' prime"? Granted Mike McCarthy was not an especially good coach toward the end of his time in Green Bay, but it seemed that Rodgers spent quite a bit of energy showing his displeasure and maybe even sabotaging his coach over a fairly significant period of time. How much did that take away from his focus on winning? And then we have had his drama with the front office and his immunization song and dance and his rants about the Covid vaccine leading up to his flub against the 49ers. I think we as fans have every right to question what really is most important to Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers is no Patrick Mahomes when it comes to clutch play in the playoffs nor is he Tom Brady. This year he wasn't even Matthew Stafford. Because Rodgers has been unable or unwilling to see past himself I believe he, not the Packers, has wasted his prime.

2 points
4
2
Packers0808's picture

January 24, 2022 at 11:30 am

Time to leave Rodgers alone he hates to be needled!

-3 points
0
3
TarynsEyes's picture

January 24, 2022 at 11:54 am

Regular season mantras.

A win is a win.
This is prevalent among the Blind-Optimist who deny what they see in games.

Division Title wins mean a successful season.
If Hundley was your QB.

GB weather is a huge advantage.
For the, ahem, warm weather teams apparently.

There's no such stat as QB wins/loses.
Watch the KC/BUF game, again.

MLF is a genius.
Regular season at best, though very questionable.

Rodgers is the MVP.
I'll stick with Burrow who won't win and you can all hope Rodgers MVP gives you comfort.

I don't like the path this team is heading and I have voiced often about it, and have been disliked a lot because of my realistic views. This loss to SF makes me feel somewhat vindicated and now the Packers are on the edge of hoping that a Division Title is even in their eyesight going forward, and if by chance it is, it will be a tall feat to grab hold of it again. However, you can always think back on the two SB wins over near 30 years of HOF QBs leading the team nowhere, except for those who just enjoy the ride that ends with no exhilaration, but rather like the firecracker that is nothing but a shorter sparkler with no bang.

I said if Rodgers stays or goes it doesn't matter because either way Division Titles is all you get, and that isn't the mantra of GB, it's supposed to be 'TitleTown' but Division Titles seems to be the new level of success by allowing your Blind Optimism defend such failures too many seasons out of the near 30. What a waste of talent and opportunities.

A win is a win until it isn't, and for the Packers, it isn't when Championships are on the line.

Done for a while or perhaps for good. Keep it, in REALITY, going forward, or at least try harder.

4 points
5
1
Packers0808's picture

January 24, 2022 at 12:36 pm

Life goes on it is only a game! Won't end the world.

2 points
2
0
mbpacker's picture

January 24, 2022 at 01:54 pm

I suffer along with all the other devoted Cheeseheads out there! Such a roller coaster of a season from off season to the disappointing end. To me there are several factors for the loss, but 12 should shoulder the burden of it the most. He wanted the Packers to be " all in", allow him more "voice" in decisions and get Cobb back in the fold for him. The Packers did that and more. Rodgers seemed to be mostly "all in" to himself. All in to lobbying for the Jeopardy job; voicing his views and book club selections on the Pat McAfee Show, etc. I question how focused he was for being "all in" at all times for the team. He had so many great moments this year, playing great ball. To come up short again so quickly after a fast start is tough to swallow. This is an experienced, future HOF er with the experience to go with it. He wanted home field, the colder the better weather, a healthy team, and good enough on both sides of the ball to win the game despite the expected Unspecial Teams. . I am grateful for all the special, big moments he has given us over the years, and know we would not have had some seasons go so well without him. But I am exhausted with the drama, having hopes with fun seasons only to fall flat in the big playoff games. I trust what the Mgt. will do as it will be what it will be. GPG always!

-1 points
1
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

January 24, 2022 at 01:07 pm

Good bye Rodgers!

0 points
1
1
jeremyjjbrown's picture

January 24, 2022 at 02:26 pm

"It was the second consecutive year in which Rodgers shriveled up in the clutch"

It was the 3rd IMO. He was horrible in the first half of the 49ers NFC Championship game and didn't score until the game was already over.

0 points
1
1
Curt's picture

January 24, 2022 at 04:26 pm

Slow down and let it play out. I do believe Aaron has played has last down as a Packer, but personally I'd rather make the playoffs and have a shot to go farther than drop into Chicago Bear style mediocrity.

Face it everybody deals with pressure differently, and in particular AR and MLF have not performed well the last two playoff losses. But if not for the colossal failure of the special teams, it still would have been enough to win and move on.

If AR and DA want to give it one more year (last year on contract and, most likely, franchise tag respectively), I'm all for it. Plan was for Love to sit three years and then either be ready or not....still too early to make that determination, but it would be a super freak of the football gods if he even approaches Favre or Rodgers.

If I was betting, I'd say AR moves on and I can place the pic of Lazard wide open in the middle of the field next the one of all the open guys on Favre's last pass as a Packer. But, weirder things have happened.

2 points
2
0
Packers0808's picture

January 25, 2022 at 07:25 am

dlete

-2 points
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2
Packers0808's picture

January 24, 2022 at 05:31 pm

Rodgers is done, doesn't like to be needled!

-2 points
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2
Packers0808's picture

January 24, 2022 at 05:32 pm

Delete

0 points
0
0
Packers0808's picture

January 24, 2022 at 05:33 pm

delete

0 points
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0
stormin's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:16 pm

If it were not for Rodgers the Packers never would have gotten to the play offs all these years. You are all a bunch of spoiled cry babies, welcome to not seeing the play offs again for many years to come !!

-2 points
0
2
Wilment's picture

January 24, 2022 at 09:55 pm

And so it begins. Time for AR to go? The Packers check book says so. Its overdrawn forty odd million bucks. Assuming AR is gone, lets look at the rest of it. We are going to start a guy that has played about a game and a half over two years. He still aims the football when throwing. That being said, is the team prepared to let Adams and VScantling depart? Love needs a real target to throw to. Lazard is ok, Maybe you take a chance on really trying to develop ESB. Hes an imposing physical specimen, and maybe if given a bigger role, he might shine. Cobby is done. Hes lost a step, and , as in every other season in the past five, he missed a big chunk of time injured. Drafting a Wr or two with the draft capital we get from AR, might be an avenue, but out the gate, I still think love needs an experienced guy out there,, and who is better than Adams? The tight ends.....DeGuara might continue to develop, and Tonyan is coming off a serious injury. Before it took place, he didnt look like he did last year.Lewis, the fumble the other night aside, is still a great run blocker, and still can make the clutch catches when called upon. He can be had cheaply, and might be someone you want to keep around with a young guy under center. The offense line, Yosh, and the young guys look good Jenkns is a tough SOB, Runyon is developing nicely. Guys, I dont want to scare anyone, but Bak looks like the injury suffered could be a career ender. 15 months after, he is still gimpy, and against the lions was gassed after 20 snaps. He might be a cap victim. I think Yosh played well enough to fill that position. The running backs look good. I think we have a great one two-since no one seemed to trust our third back to touch the ball after Dillon went down, we might look to find a decent vet on the cheap, or look for someone in the draft. The defense......the purse strings tell me Z smith and P smith will be gone. If Kevin king is on the sideline next year doing anything other than selling soft drinks in the stands, Im burning my stock. Will JA bounce back?? That remains to be seen. I liked the guys we Brought in this year in the secondary. The d line needs to give Kenny some help. Lancaster isnt the answer, though Dean Lowry had a career best year, and Slaton showed some flashes. If we are moving on from AR, we need to milk as much compensation as we can for him. As for the rebuild? If they draft well, and Love can be coached up, I can see us going to the playoffs next year, and contending in two. GOPACKGO!

1 points
1
0
Qoojo's picture

January 25, 2022 at 01:38 am

I think a big part of the issue in second half is they lost the second part of their 1-2 punch when Dillon got injured. So they lost an effective play action ability. Teams have figured out the 2 yard out, even Detroit had it stuffed. The offense was stagnant.

I think Rodgers can be successful in the playoffs if they can get a better line to protect him. Eventually, they encounter a team in the playoffs that can get pressure without blitzing, and they don't adjust. Hell, last year they doubled down and went empty backfield. Rodgers just might be mentally flawed to not be able to accept the check down. Hold the ball too long, and takes a sack. In the end, I am ok if Rodgers moves on. 3 years in a row where he looks like a deer in the headlights to end the season.

When Favre was at the end, Rodgers gave some glimpses that he might be good. I haven't seen that in Love at all.

0 points
0
0
DrMixerGED's picture

January 25, 2022 at 05:28 am

I have really enjoyed having Aaron Rodgers as our quarterback. Out of some necessity, and due to the fact that it seems like Rodgers just can’t get us over the hump, it is time to part ways. Get the picks. Get a vet QB to give Love some competition. Keep building the line(s), defense in general, and really use the run game. Let’s see how it goes.

1 points
1
0