As training camp draws closer, everyone wants to find out what is going to happen with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and whether the league MVP will be joining the Denver Broncos. At this particular point in time, the Packers have made absolutely no indications that they will be trading Rodgers, who has also made no indications that his stance is going to change as training camp approaches.
Rodgers’ stance, at least what has been reported since the 2021 NFL Draft, is that his relationship with the Green Bay Packers is beyond repair. Rodgers reportedly turned down a deal earlier in the offseason to become the highest-paid player in league history. His issue with the Green Bay Packers is personal, not financial.
No amount of money the Packers can throw at Rodgers will fix the issue the team has with its MVP quarterback, so the fact that training camp is merely days away at this point has people wondering what is going to happen.
Apparently, there is some serious steam behind the scenes about Rodgers retiring from football.
David Dunn repped Carson Palmer who "retired" to force his way out of a situation he didn't want to be in.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) July 24, 2021
Aaron Rodgers has Dunn repping him.
If Rodgers plays the retirement card — which he very well could — it would not be shocking to see him sit out the entire 2021 NFL season. The Green Bay Packers could also simply cut their losses and give in to Rodgers’ wishes to not play another down for the team, but would that happen before the start of the 2021 regular season?
Regardless of the timing, nothing has changed about the Denver Broncos being Rodgers’ apparently preferred destination.
Because that's where Rodgers wants to be
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) July 24, 2021
So what are we to make of the latest messages being sent by Aaron Rodgers and Packers star receiver Davante Adams via their Instagram accounts?
Adams and the Packers recently broke off long-term extension talks as the Packers were unwilling to make their WR1 the highest-paid receiver in the league.
What is general manager Brian Gutekunst doing up there in Green Bay?
After those extension talks broke off, the timing of Rodgers and Adams both posting this same photo to their Instagram accounts cannot be overstated.
Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams have the same Instagram story up right now. pic.twitter.com/hDLE02V7fk
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) July 24, 2021
This is a photo of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls stars who both had very sour relationships with late Bulls general manager Jerry Krause. On the ESPN documentary The Last Dance, Krause was portrayed as the villain that really ended up splitting up one of the great pro sports dynasties of all time.
Although the Packers are not a dynasty, by any means, Rodgers and Adams are the clear Jordan and Pippen in this situation, and both are clearly disgruntled with their own general manager (Gutekunst).
Does this message mean that Rodgers and Adams are going to come together for one “last dance” with the Packers? Are they conveying the message that they have already played their last game together?
This photo seems like a pretty clear message from Rodgers and Adams that they are planning on coming together for one more season (presumably in Green Bay) with the intent of leaving at the end of the season.
There’s no guarantee of that with the possibility of Rodgers retiring apparently still there, but it does seem like these two are either trying to say they’ve already played their last game together or they will do so at some point in the very near future.
What does all of that mean for the Denver Broncos?
Unless the Packers decide to give in to Rodgers really soon, it could mean that they will have to revisit the idea of acquiring the MVP after the 2021 season. If Rodgers retires, the Broncos could then attempt to acquire his rights during the season as well.
Rodgers retiring would not prevent a trade from going down, nor would it mean that Rodgers is permanently done with football.
What cards will Rodgers play? What does the Jordan-Pippen photo posted by he and Davante Adams mean? Where do the Denver Broncos fit into all of this?
Denver Broncos trade options with the Miami Dolphins
The Denver Broncos have some strong relationships and ties with the Miami Dolphins. Will the two teams come together on any trades?
The next week will be fascinating, so buckle up.