Aaron Rodgers 'Disappointed That News Has Come Out' About Rift with Packers

While attending the 2021 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed disappointment with the fact that his issues with the Packers have gone public.

NFL on NBC announcer Mike Tirico, who was at Churchill Downs to cover the Kentucky Derby, said he spoke with Rodgers off-camera Saturday:

Tirico said Rodgers was "disappointed that news has come out of this rift with the Packers." Tirico also noted that Rodgers expressed how much he loves the city of Green Bay, Packers fans and the Packers franchise.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday that Rodgers is unhappy and has told some members of the Packers organization that he no longer wants to play for the franchise.

Schefter noted there are many reasons for Rodgers' displeasure with the Packers, including the fact that they traded up in the first round of last year's draft to select quarterback Jordan Love without notifying Rodgers ahead of time.

Packers President Mark Murphy acknowledged the situation Saturday in an article for the team's official website, writing that he, general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur have been "working on" the issue for "several months."

Despite Rodgers' reported desire to play elsewhere, Murphy said the Packers are "committed to Aaron in 2021 and beyond."

A team normally may be more willing to part ways with a 37-year-old quarterback, especially after drafting a first-round replacement the previous year, but Rodgers is coming off arguably the best season of his career.

Rodgers led the Packers to a 13-3 record and a trip to the NFC Championship Game for the second consecutive year, and he was named NFL MVP for the third time after completing 70.7 percent of his passes for 4,299 yards, 48 touchdowns and just five interceptions.

While the Packers are seemingly willing to do whatever they can to keep Rodgers in the fold, ESPN's Rob Demovsky (h/t PFF) said Saturday there is a less than 5 percent chance Rodgers will play for the Packers in 2021.

The Packers did not trade Rodgers on Night 1 of the 2021 NFL draft despite rumors running rampant, and Schefter shared that San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said he inquired about Rodgers only to be rebuffed by the Packers.

Green Bay has expressed no interest in trading Rodgers as of yet, but if he remains steadfast in his desire to not play for the Packers again, it is something the organization may have to revisit before the start of the 2021 season.