The 2021 NFL Draft has come and gone.
Surprises are always in the mix, but no one likely expected this year’s surprise to center around the reigning NFL MVP and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
When the Green Bay Packers exited the playoffs in January, we saw a dejected Rodgers who seemed unsure what his football future would look like.
Unlike other years where he would ditch the limelight to recuperate after a rough season, Rodgers has remained in the public eye since January.
What Has Aaron Rodgers Been Up To Off The Field?
We saw an almost jubilant Rodgers accept the NFL MVP award while dropping a big piece of news that he was engaged.
Then, we see Rodgers in Disney World living his best life with fiancée Shailene Woodley.
📸 | Shailene Woodley and fiancé Aaron Rodgers at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Photos by Matt Stroshane. pic.twitter.com/ZEv4j5RumK
— Shailene Woodley Updates (@PlanetShailene) April 12, 2021
Rodgers fulfilled a life long dream of guest hosting Jeopardy! for two weeks.
And he was at the Kentucky Derby this weekend.
Aaron Rodgers is looking unbothered at the Kentucky Derby 🤣 @brgridiron
(via frankieshebby/IG) pic.twitter.com/umP70V5lNZ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 1, 2021
What Happened At The NFL Draft?
In the midst of what appears to be Rodgers in a good place with his personal life, reports surface that Rodgers has told Green Bay insiders he does not want to return to the Packers.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur 'can't fathom' Aaron Rodgers not being in Green Bay: "I don't even want to let my mind go there."https://t.co/xUoH4zxJqa pic.twitter.com/98PSidF9Fu
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) May 2, 2021
What first sounded like a well placed news story to encourage the Packers to finally draft genuine offensive weapons to help Rodgers quickly became a bigger story.
His complaint has surrounded GM Brian Gutekunst, someone he would like to see fired.
Aaron Rodgers is "adamant" that he won't return to the Packers if Brian Gutekunst remains as the GM, per @CharlesRobinson
(@brgridiron) pic.twitter.com/EdCOwR3LF9
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 1, 2021
Now, we are hearing that Rodgers may retire if he is not going to be traded.
How Are The Green Bay Packers Handling This Situation?
The Packers have been practicing active avoidance of this situation definitely since January, but others could argue it has been years.
They have not used first-round draft picks for offensive weapons at all, except the one time they traded up in 2020.
The Packers have drafted 1 offensive player in the 1st round since 2012.
Jordan Love. pic.twitter.com/1v9GxW68Rv
— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) April 30, 2021
With the 26th overall pick, the Packers drafted Rodgers’ potential replacement, quarterback Jordan Love.
Selecting Love in the first round in 2020 was the first Packers’ offensive first round draft pick since 2012.
This weekend, the Packers did not address the Rogers situation much; rather, they focused on the draft.
The situation really makes no sense.
Green Bay has a future first ballot Hall of Fame quarterback who has literally carried his team for years.
They had a good 2020 season so it seems logical that adding free agents or draft picks to help the offense would be a logical step.
Green Bay Drafts A Rodgers
Lo and behold, the Packers finally got Aaron some help.
Amari Rodgers, Clemson wide receiver, was drafted by the Packers in the third round.
Perhaps this was a peace accord for Aaron Rodgers.
Brian Gutekunst asked if drafting Amari Rodgers helps #Packers keep their "old quarterback," as in Aaron Rodgers. He makes a correction regarding Rodgers: "First of all, he's not our old quarterback. He is our quarterback and our leader."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) May 1, 2021
GM Gutekunst sent a noncryptic message about the pick.
“I hope everybody on our team and within our building is excited about adding Amari. I think it was something we wanted to add—we’ve wanted to add for a few years—that guy that can play inside and do some returning. So yeah, I hope everybody’s pleased with it.”
It is not clear if Aaron Rodgers is happy with this addition, or if we will see a Rodgers to Rodgers pass play happen during the 2021 season.
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