Aaron Rodgers 'frustrated' with lack of influence over Packers - report
It’s been a busy offseason for the Green Bay Packers, to say the least.
Longtime wide receiver Jordy Nelson was released by the team, while quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt left for the Cincinnati Bengals. Meanwhile, the Packers signed tight end Jimmy Graham, thus giving quarterback Aaron Rodgers a new target.
All this to say that things are going to be different in Green Bay next season, and Rodgers reportedly isn’t pleased.
According to Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson, who cited two league sources, Rodgers is “frustrated” and “emotional” that the front office didn’t see fit to take his thoughts into account before making some major personnel moves.
“Both of those decisions (with Nelson and Van Pelt) were made without him,” said one source who’s close to Rodgers. “In both situations, he had no influence with (the front office) before anything went down.”
The source added that Rodgers’ frustration could impact his mindset when he and the Packers attempt to negotiate a contract extension.
“I know he’s thinking about that stuff when it comes to the next contract because he should have earned a voice by now,” the source said. “In other places with (elite) quarterbacks, consideration is given to those guys. I think Aaron wants to be engaged in some decisions. But that’s just not the way it works (in Green Bay). I think that’s obviously frustrating and it’s going to keep coming out.”
Though Rodgers hasn’t lambasted the organization in public, he hasn’t exactly been shy about indicating his discontent.
Days before the Super Bowl, Rodgers told ESPN radio he was somewhat surprised that the Packers decided — without consulting the six-time Pro Bowler first — that they were not going to keep Van Pelt.
“Well, my quarterback coach didn’t get retained,” Rodgers said. “I thought that was an interesting change, really without consulting me. There’s a close connection between quarterback and quarterback coach, and that was an interesting decision.”
Less than two weeks later, when talking about the Packers’ move to cut Nelson, Rodgers noted that he wasn’t really involved in that decision, either.
“I think it’s pretty clear that players play and coaches coach and personnel people make their decisions,” Rodgers told Milwaukee radio station 102.9 The Hog. “That’s the way they want it.”
The tension between Rodgers and the Packers could elevate as Rodgers plays out the remaining two years on his current contract. However, as Robinson pointed out, Rodgers doesn’t really have a whole lot of leverage in this situation.
If the team decides it doesn’t want to break the bank and hand the quarterback another huge contract, they could simply place the franchise tag on him for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. If that happens, Rodgers wouldn’t be free from team control until he’s 38.
“Really, the only thing Rodgers has to hold over the Packers is that he’s arguably the best player in the NFL when healthy, and he will likely continue to be the centerpiece of the franchise for at least the next half-decade,” Robinson wrote.
At the same time, it doesn’t appear as though the Packers are a team that will let their best player have a say in building the roster and coaching staff.
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