Before the 2021 NFL Draft, the worst-case scenario for the Green Bay Packers may have been not getting home-field advantage in the playoffs.
However, with the state of discord between Aaron Rodgers and the Packers front office that has permeated the headlines since the draft, the worst-case scenario took a turn from what could be considered worst-case to dire scenarios.
Here are a few possibilities that Packers fans do not want to see happen.
3. Aaron Rodgers Sits Out the Season
Let’s agree that the Packers are a different team when Rodgers is not under center.
He is the reigning NFL MVP and perhaps one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
People who can make this throw:
1. Aaron Rodgers
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗶𝘁pic.twitter.com/g26DdsmdWR
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) May 19, 2021
In reality, this franchise has done him a disservice not giving him supporting players over the past decade.
With Rodgers at the helm, the Packers should have won more than one Super Bowl Championship.
Assuming Rodgers and the Packers cannot work out their differences, he could opt to sit out for the season.
It is not unheard of; Le’Veon Bell did it a few years ago with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He could force the Packers’ hand to see if they would be willing to trade him; thus far they have adamantly said a trade would not happen.
The morale of the team and the workings of the offense would certainly suffer if this scenario happens.
Then, there is the deja vu experience of the end of the Rodgers era in Green Bay as it compares to his predecessor Brett Favre.
If Rodgers played his last game for the #Packers, then here are some eerie similarities with Favre:
-16 seasons
-3 MVPs
-1 Super Bowl ring
-1st round draft pick used to select replacement perhaps too early
-Final game as Packer is losing an NFC Champtionship Game in Lambeau Field— WSRanter (@WSRanter) April 30, 2021
2. Packers Backup Quarterbacks Fail
Building upon the idea that Rodgers sits, the Packers are forced to play a backup quarterback.
Here are the current choices: Blake Bortles, Jordan Love, and rookie Kurt Benkert.
All indications are that Jordan Love is not ready, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst did not mince words when he said that 10 days ago.
“He’s got a long way to go…Obviously we think the world of Jordan and where he’s going to grow and develop. I think it’s pretty early to be able to tell you that because obviously with no preseason games last year and just kind of the no-spring, but we have a lot of confidence in his talents, in his work ethic and where he’s going to go. But it’s a little early for that.”
That leaves Bortles who is a capable quarterback but not of the same caliber as Rodgers.
Blockade the Port of Green Bay. Lay siege to the city. Smoke out the decision makers whose Point A was Jordan Love and Point Z was Blake Bortles https://t.co/GaLPi6xHSh
— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) May 14, 2021
1. Packers Have a Losing Season
One year after losing in the NFC Championship to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Packers could find themselves with a losing record which would cost them a trip to the playoffs.
The worst-case scenario with Rodgers starting is less detrimental.
This is part of the reason why it is so baffling that the Packers front office and management do not appear to want to work with Rodgers.
If all he really wants is more offensive support, get it for him.
The team was frightfully close to a Super Bowl appearance last year; there is no reason they can’t get there again if everyone gets on the same page.
NEXT: Aaron Rodgers Remains Mum About His Future In Green Bay