The Green Bay Packers had another successful season last year, albeit with identical outcomes as the year before: 13 regular-season victories and a loss in the NFC Championship Game. Green Bay’s offence, headed by MVP Aaron Rodgers, dominated finishing first or second in several categories. Unfortunately, the Packers’ Super Bowl dreams were dashed by defensive errors and dubious coaching from Matt LaFleur during the season’s most crucial moments, leaving them one win short of the big American football game once again.
As the 2021 NFL Draft came to an end, it was evident that Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst had filled many of the minor gaps on a roster that had been good enough to get his club to back-to-back NFC Championship Games, but not to return to the Super Bowl. First, he bolstered the offensive line by bringing in three new offensive lineman. Next, he bolstered a defense that has consistently underperformed despite significant financial spending. Finally, in former Clemson wide receiver Amari Rodgers, he added an intriguing offensive weapon who could be the perfect versatile chess piece for head coach Matt LaFleur’s playbook.
However, the most incredible story in the NFL is whether Aaron Rodgers will play for the Green Bay Packers in 2021. It’s no secret that he’s fed up with the organization, a schism that started with the team’s decision to draft quarterback Jordan Love and has now spread across the team’s windshield, with the future Hall of Famer apparently refusing to play for them again. As a result, predicting the fate of their 2021 season is tough. However, given that Rodgers is still under contract, the safest prediction is that he will play at least one more season before attempting to flex his muscle in 2022.
Despite adamantly stating that he would not trade Rodgers under any circumstances, Gutekunst appeared to make a direct appeal to Rodgers — a sales presentation, if you will — to persuade him to return to a team that could finally get over the hump.
Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Billy Turner (77) provides pass protection for quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the first quarter of their game against the Atlanta Falcons Monday, October 5, 2020 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
The Packers made a few steps to get under the salary cap before the Rodgers issue became public. Rick Wagner and Christian Kirksey were dismissed, while other teams signed Corey Linsley and Jamaal Williams as free agents. There was little roster turnover: with the exception of Wagner, no major players will be leaving the group.
The Packers can win a Super Bowl if there are no lasting consequences of Rodgers’ displeasure in the offseason — and there very well may be; at the absolute least, there will be some awkwardness as the tense relationship continues for at least another season. Around the reigning MVP, they are that good. Adams, the Packers’ best receiver, is arguably the finest in the NFL. Aaron Jones is back, and he’ll be joined by intriguing second-year running back A.J. Dillon, behind a solid offensive line. Pass rusher Za’Darius Smith and cornerback Jaire Alexander, are among the defense’s best players. Other than Adams, the pass catchers are still a source of worry, but Rodgers won MVP with essentially the same bunch last season. The Packers finished 13-3 last season, while their defeat in the NFC championship game to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was disappointing, they have a chance to make amends this season, especially if Rodgers is in full-fledged vengeance mode.
For three decades, the debate has remained: Are the Packers a great organization, or have two gold-jacketed quarterbacks — Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers — covered up their flaws with exceptional play at the game’s most important position? We’ll find out unless the front office and Rodgers are on the same page. The Packers are an NFC favorite with Rodgers, even against a brutal schedule. Conversely, they’re likely to be cut out of the postseason picture without him, and they’re in danger of reverting to the mediocrity of the 1970s and 1980s.
Speaking of that schedule, look no further than the Packers’ midseason string of games if you want to see brutality. After mounting a home defense in a winnable matchup against the Washington Football Team, they’re forced to travel to the desert to take on a very dangerous Arizona Cardinals team led by Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins, and whose defense now features J.J. Watt and Chandler Jones. Following that game, they must fly to Missouri to face the mighty Kansas City Chiefs, who are hungry for their third consecutive Super Bowl appearance and have the horses to accomplish so.
The Packers then return to Green Bay to face Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks before heading to U.S. Bank Stadium for a critical divisional showdown with the Minnesota Vikings, and then back home to face what could be a much-improved Los Angeles Rams team with Matthew Stafford at the helm before their Week 13 bye.
It stings not to have a two-game homestand until late November, and not having a three-game homestand at all isn’t exactly enticing. The Packers, on the other hand, get to finish the regular season at home.
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Aaron Rodgers wouldn’t say a word in the offseason about his “issues”. Now he won’t STFU about it. That’s all we’ll hear about now until January. The trade can’t get here soon enough for me. For Aaron Rodgers to win the SB, he’s going to have to win games like Brady did Thursday night. He’s never been a come from behind type of QB. If things aren’t going his way, he plays tight. Not sure why this season will be any different from the last decade. The schedule is more difficult than most but when your paying your QB 30 million, he still better win most of them. But it’s the postseason where Rodgers will fall apart and the fingers will point elsewhere. I still see him playing in Las Vegas next year. I’ll temper my enthusiasm for now.
Forget about Rodgers issues….
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Lets talk a bit about your issues…like your obsessive Rodgers hatred.
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Or maybe we can talk about your deception issues.
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You know…where you tell all of us here that Mark Murphy was a NFLPA attorney. Remember this?
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Tom M September 8, 2021
Mark Murphy is a former player, NFLPA attorney, and athletic director at a major college. Which makes him uniquely qualified to run a team.
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Humor us, tell us when Murphy was ever…a NFLPA attorney? Or would you rather ignore the question again for the 15th time.
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If you can’t “own” what you write, just admit your a lying fraud and a pussy, and i’ll move on.
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DON’T think your going to talk shit about longstanding Packer fans Moms and sisters, and not get called out on your bullshit.
Not on my watch…bitch.
FFS get Brady’s popsicle of your mouth. If Dallas had a kicker who could make field goals they win that game.
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“He’s never been a come from behind type of QB.”
Really? I can think of plenty just off the top of my head
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-Dallas in the playoffs. Sideline pass to Jared Cook. Field goal. Win.
-Dallas in the playoffs. TD pass to Davante. Win.
-At Detroit. 60 yard bomb to Richard Rodgers. Win
-At Miami, fake spike then pass to Davante for a first down. TD pass to Gods Gifts. Win.
-Chicago after coming back from a broken collarbone. TD pass to Cobb after evading Julius Peppers. Win
-Chicago. 50 yard bomb to Greg Jennings. Win
-Chicago, coming back from a 17pt deficit after tweaking his leg. This was Mack’s first game as a Bear and he was a total monster. Still doesn’t matter. Win
– San Francisco, 2018. TD to Adams for the tie. Get the ball back, no time outs. Bunch of sideline passes, get in field goal range. Win. I was at this game with a 49ers fan and he had a total meltdown.
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Isn’t the number of 4th qtr comebacks just another STAT? Here’s another stat, Rodgers is one of the top ten winningest QB’s of all time. What does it matter how many of those are comebacks? You could argue that its impossible to have a 4th qtr comeback if you’re not playing from behind.
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Also, it’s hard to have a comeback when you tie the game to go into overtime, then you don’t even get a chance to touch the ball because the defense lets the opponent march down the field like it’s a damn walk in park. Tramon Williams getting burnt by Jermaine Kearse for the walk off TD to go to the Super Bowl. Or, the very first play of OT and Larry Fitzgerald sprints down the field like a damn antelope untouched for a 75 yard gain. Fuckin Rodgers…
And don’t forget the Hail Mary in Detroit. That’s a hand full of games in 16 years. He also had first and goal at the 8 yard line in the NFC championship game and choked. Likewise he lost at home to the Vikings because he couldn’t score a TD in the 4th quarter after blowing them out in the opener. Regardless of the Cowboys kicking situation, Tom Brady had to take his team down the field with less than two minutes to win, which he did. I’ll take Tom Brady over Aaron Rodgers with the game on the line every time. I get no satisfaction out of saying that Cheese. But l have to base my comments on what I see. Sure, I can be all fanboy and say Aaron Rodgers is the greatest ever. But that’s not reality. That’s not what I see. In order for us to make the SB this year Aaron Rodgers will have to win games like Tom Brady did on Thursday night. Where he overcomes adversity and puts points on the board late in the 4th quarter. Can he do it? Of course he can. Will he do it? History says not so much. Let’s hope you boys are right on this one. I’m willing to admit if I’m proven wrong. But I won’t tolerate excuses if I’m right either. Let’s see how it all plays out.
“And don’t forget the Hail Mary in Detroit.”
Did you even read my post?
-At Detroit. 60 yard bomb to Richard Rodgers. Win
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“That’s a hand full of games in 16 years “
I said those games were off of the top of my head. Sorry I don’t have a complete mental database of every game Rodgers has played since 2008, or should I say in the past 13 years. It’s hard to have comeback wins when you’re sitting the bench for three years.
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“He also had first and goal at the 8 yard line in the NFC championship game and choked.”
He also thought he had another play on fourth down because anyone with a brain knows that kicking a field goal in that situation is essentially giving the game away. You want Rodgers to write his own legacy but then take the ball out of his hands in a legacy defining moment? Even if they don’t score on 4th down you give the offense one last chance to do something great. Whatever happens is on them. Taking away that opportunity for a field goal and expecting the defense to not give up a first down is a complete mental fart on the coaching staff. The way you infatuate on this one moment, while ignoring half of the story, and act like it defines Rodgers entire career is ridiculous. Maybe McCarthy should have punted and expected to get the ball back from Chicago with a minute left instead of trusting Rodgers to convert a 4th and 8 by throwing a 48 yard TD pass to Cobb. And no, I’m not asking for McCarthy back. I’m asking for the same trust that Rodgers was asking for in that moment. If they fail, they fail. But at least give them the opportunity. It was their ONLY chance at winning that game.
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“I’ll take Tom Brady over Aaron Rodgers with the game on the line every time. I get no satisfaction out of saying that Cheese.”
Really? I would disagree because you’ve been hellbent on saying that every opportunity you get.
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“In order for us to make the SB this year Aaron Rodgers will have to win games like Tom Brady”
You mean by having the other team miss two field goals and an extra point? Or do you mean like when Tampa’s defense completely took out Patrick Mahomes? Why doesn’t the Packers defense have to play like Tampa Bay but Rodgers has to play like Brady? If that were the case Rodgers would have thrown three interceptions in the NFCCG. Stop acting like Brady is this demigod who is on top of everything, all the time, and it’s all on him when the team wins.
Why doesn’t the Packers defense have to play like Tampa Bay but Rodgers has to play like Brady?
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It’s like teaching Neurology to a 5th grader.
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SMH
Amen Cheese! In NE, Brady had a great coach, a supportive management, and talent at 3 areas on the team. In TB, Brady has great talent, good coaching and an organization that knows how to evaluate and acquire players to strengthen areas of need. And, neither of those 2 teams overpay for FA’s or keep players around 3 to 5 years when they aren’t starting talent, or; sitting their top draft choices on the bench for a few years—-citing “it takes 3 years for a player to learn their system”. Put Brady on the Lions, Bengals or Jets and you’ll understand what I’m saying. TB right now, is the closest thing I’ve seen as a dynasty lately. They have a solid team all around, and Brady is the beneficiary. He has a multitude of skilled offensive players, and that defense is the best in the league. Point I’m trying to make is when TB goes all in;;;;they keep their talent in place. When GB goes all-in, they re-sign the same players who can’t get it done. Here’s proof, how long has the defense needed talent at ILB? TB and NE addresses those needs quickly!
Tom M. It still amazes me that you continue to vomit such a reckless and unhealthy amount of animus at Rodgers. Perhaps an intervention by your personal physician or psychiatric care professional is in order?
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Or . . . On the other hand . . . Perhaps I should believe that 1265 IS getting their “Money’s Worth” with your Aaron Rodger’s smear campaign . . . Nothing like being a shameless tool for a billion dollar plus corporation? . . . Or perhaps you are just as dense as a post and actually believe all of the drivel and vitriol that you spew daily? Only your hairdresser knows . . .
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Whatever . . . The new season begins this Sunday! With OR without your inanity . . . Go Pack Go!
Lol…i gotta laugh.
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1265 getting their moneys worth?…for Tommy’s work in here?
Bwhahahaha
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Tommy’s work in here is the equivalent of watching the last 5 minutes of the Packers in the 2014 NFCCG.
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Mistakes, colossal fuck ups, epic failures, meltdowns, total embarrassment, childlike intelligence….all describing the end of that NFCCG game, and/or Tommy’s “work” in here.
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Look, i don’t know what rock tommy crawled out from under (i tried to find out but got no cooperation) ..whether it be 1265, down the hall, or from someone running, or writing for this website…WE DON’T KNOW.
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But G D IT…. i do know this…whether anyone joins me or not… I’m not having it. :)
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Don’t fuck with my team, and don’t fuck with Packer fans i associate with. It will not go well for you.
Well, aren’t you a bad ass! I’m so terrified right now, I can’t stop laughing! I’m gonna let you in on a little secret. You don’t have to suck Aaron Rodgers dick to be a Packer fan. Just because the rest of you ladies do, doesn’t mean I feel the same. Your sweetheart is gonna have to win a few more championships before I put out.
” Your sweetheart is gonna have to win a few more championships before I put out.” – Tommy
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I’ll take things Tommy never said to his Uncle for $400 Alex.
Tom the saddest part of your writing is that you actually think you make intelligent points. But hey keep writing, it gives everyone something to laugh about. We are all drawing a mental picture of you and for me Peter Griffin comes to mind.
Ok ladies, it’s time for the rubber to meet the road. If Aaron Rodgers wins the SB this year I’ll officially become a card carrying member of the Aaron Rodgers fan club just like the rest of you. But if he doesn’t, I don’t want to hear any whining or bullshit excuses. Fair enough? My heart is hoping you’ll be right. My head says no. Let the games begin!
Would that be the “rubber” your Dad wished he’d used ?
Lol….he’s so easy right?
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Funny thing…he knows nobody here likes him, but he stays anyway. lol
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Remind anyone of somebody else here?
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HINT: They both hate Rodgers.
” I don’t want to hear any whining or bullshit excuses” – Tommy
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Wow….”Here comes wrangler, he’s one tough customer!!”….lol.
Well, ladies, we’re in a dog fight down in Jacksonville. Does tinker bell pull a Tom Brady and rallies us to victory? Or does he sulk his way to another loss? It’s time to be a leader and not a “captain.” Can he do it? Ready your excuses if he can’t.
And, and, and, there was the time Rodgers rallied us to a 4th quarter victory in Jacksonville against the Saints! No, wait, we lost that one too! Sorry, my bad! I’m sure those two INT’s aren’t Rodgers fault either. You think maybe old Father Time is catching up to everyone’s favorite girl? But he’s putting up great stats, right PF4L? Fuck victories and SB wins! That’s what it’s all about. Stats and going on pregame shows telling everyone how misunderstood you are.
For all you stat lovers, and I know there are many, Aaron Rodgers 15/28/133 and 2 INT’s. Why think, those are Jordan Love type numbers and he’ll do it for a lot less than 46 million next season. And that’ll be without 30 million dollar man Devante Adams. We were actually still in the game until Aaron Rodgers threw those two 3rd quarter INT’s. Can’t wait to listen to you girls spin this one. But let’s talk personal attacks against me first. You know, because I actually suited up and played. Not going to tell you girls what you want to hear. But as Jack Nickolson once said, “you can’t handle the truth” either.