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Report: Aaron Rodgers Won't Return to Packers Unless GM Brian Gutekunst Is Fired
May 1, 2021
If the Green Bay Packers want to keep Aaron Rodgers, it will reportedly require them to get rid of their general manager.
Per Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, Rodgers is "adamant" he won't return to the Packers as long as Brian Gutekunst remains their general manager.
"Asked if anything could be done to repair the relationship between Rodgers and the team, the source said a reconciliation may not be possible if Gutekunst remains and that team president Mark Murphy is aware of the quarterback's feelings about the general manager," Robinson wrote.
On Thursday, ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported Rodgers had become "so disgruntled" with the Packers that he had told some within the organization he doesn't want to return to the team in 2021.
Robinson noted the "fracture points" between Rodgers and Gutekunst stem largely from the latter's decision to trade up in the 2020 NFL draft to select Jordan Love without informing Rodgers.
A source told Robinson that Rodgers felt Gutekunst's plan was to move on from him after the 2020 season in order to make Love the Packers quarterback.
If that was the idea, Rodgers upended it by putting together one of the best years of his Hall of Fame career. The 37-year-old won his third MVP award after leading the league with a 70.7 completion percentage, 48 touchdown passes and a 121.5 quarterback rating.
Despite Rodgers' reported desire to move on, Schefter noted the Packers aren't interested in trading their three-time All-Pro.
Robinson noted that Rodgers is willing to consider taking a "hardline" stance with the Packers to get what he wants, including holding out during training camp and "possibly retirement."
The Packers still have Rodgers under contract for three more seasons.
Gutekunst is entering his 24th season with the Packers organization. The 47-year-old started as a scouting intern in 1997 and worked his way up through the front office. He was named general manager in January 2018.
The Packers have gone 13-3 in each of the past two seasons but have lost in the NFC Championship Game both times.