With training camp only three weeks away, what is the latest with the Denver Broncos and disgruntled Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers?
Training camp is just a few weeks away for the Denver Broncos and the rest of the NFL. Teams are in the actual “off” portion of the NFL offseason with OTAs in the rearview and training camp on the ever-so-slightly distant horizon.
With training camp just three weeks away, we’re getting closer to another artificial Aaron Rodgers “deadline” of sorts, or at least a date to keep an eye on on the calendar.
The Green Bay Packers open training camp on July 27 with the Denver Broncos opening up training camp on July 28. Will Rodgers be present for either?
Over the holiday weekend, ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler made an appearance on SportsCenter and got into some of what he’s been hearing regarding Aaron Rodgers and the Packers after reporting late last week that there was “no trade market” for the unhappy MVP.
Valuable context, as I explained on show before Zoom snafu cut out part of answer: No market because GB still giving zero indications it's trading him. Hence, there's nothing for monitoring teams to do right now. https://t.co/GLmYqekjvi
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 2, 2021
One of the “monitoring” teams that Fowler is alluding to there is, of course, the Denver Broncos. The Broncos have been connected to Rodgers since almost immediately after rumors surfaced that he was unhappy with Green Bay.
What Fowler stated on SportsCenter was transcribed by 247Sports.com.
"I’m told from the Broncos’ perspective that yes, they are monitoring Rodgers and whatever situation might be out there with quarterbacks, but they like their current setup. They like Drew Lock and believe he’s a different guy this year with his work ethic. And they like Teddy Bridgewater. They believe he can win games too. They’ll look into Rodgers if he’s available, he’s not, so they’re certainly not going to overreact right now.ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on SportsCenter, via 247Sports"
At this point, it’s impossible to know for certain whether what the Denver Broncos are allowing to be leaked to the public is simply “coachspeak” or whatever you want to call that when it comes to Drew Lock.
The reality is, George Paton’s stance on Lock hasn’t changed all that much since the Broncos’ new general manager did an in-depth film study on the former second-round draft pick. Paton has been pretty praiseworthy of Lock and his work ethic, and he ripped the rug out from underneath us all by attending three prominent quarterback pro days leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft (Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, Trey Lance) as well as sending offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur to see Justin Fields and Trey Lance before ultimately not drafting anybody at the position.
Paton’s story all offseason has been basically what Fowler reporter on SportsCenter. He likes Drew Lock, he likes Teddy Bridgewater, he likes the QB room the Broncos have. They will look into all options and they’ll be aggressive without being reckless.
What’s important from Rodgers’ side of things here is the fact that his stance does not appear to have changed one bit. Despite the Packers not yet relenting regarding trading Rodgers, he doesn’t seem to be budging off of his stance at all yet. Could that still happen? Anything is possible, but that doesn’t feel likely based on what all of us have seen unfold publicly.
Denver Broncos monitoring Aaron Rodgers latest
Something that Pro Football Talk brought up late in June was the option Aaron Rodgers had to avoid giving the Packers back a bunch of money by voluntarily opting out of the 2021 NFL season. As big of a stretch as that seemed, it certainly would have been a power move from Rodgers to keep his money, basically retire for a year, and host Jeopardy! or do whatever else it is he wants to do.
That deadline passed, however, and it doesn’t look like Rodgers is strictly vacationing these days, either…
Might just be me, but I don’t think Aaron Rodgers is opting out pic.twitter.com/yKeUzrM57J
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) July 3, 2021
Had Rodgers opted out of the 2021 season, it would have not only meant he wasn’t playing for the Green Bay Packers, but he would also not be playing for the Denver Broncos or anyone else.
Rodgers is going to play in 2021, the question is simply where?
Until the Green Bay Packers actually relent and give in to Rodgers’ apparent trade demands, the odds remain in the favor of the team he’s currently on.
Rodgers has reportedly told people privately that Denver is a place he would like to end up, and the Broncos certainly have assets they can send Green Bay in a trade. Will Packers GM Brian Gutekunst open up the phone lines and actually start taking calls?
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