Report: The Green Bay Packers Are “Exhausted” by Aaron Rodgers

The Green Bay Packers and their fans are awaiting a decision from Aaron Rodgers. Many fans have been vocal on social media about how disappointing it is that Rodgers has not made a decision, especially after his four-day darkness retreat that was supposed to provide him with some clarity regarding his future. According to Michael Silver writing for Bally Sports Wisconsin, the Packers are exhausted with their four-time MVP and his process, among other things.

Aaron Rodgers Is Taking His Time Making a Decision

“Some things never change,” Packers CEO and President Mark Murphy said to Silver when discussing the similarities between the Aaron Rodgers saga and Brett Favre’s exit from Green Bay in 2008. As many may remember, Favre teased retirement for years before finally retiring after the 2007 season. And then he wanted to come back, which forced the Packers to make a choice between the Hall of Fame quarterback and their young inexperienced first round draft pick. Sound familiar?

It should. For the past two years, there have been rumors surrounding a potential trade of Rodgers and/or the future Hall of Famer’s retirement. After his darkness retreat was over, Rodgers did admit to Aubrey Marcus that retirement was something that he did think long and hard about while in the darkness. However, he had not come to a decision, and he had some strong words for people who expected one:

“It’s best for anybody who has an interest in this to make a decision sooner rather than later. I remember before Favre retired, there were times in April and May, we weren’t sure if he was going to come back because he didn’t come to any of the offseason programs. Then in 2008, he actually did retire in March and then said, ‘No, no, no,’ in June after OTAs, ‘I actually want to come back and play.

That’s when he was traded to the Jets. There was obviously a lot of tension that summer. For everybody involved, directly and indirectly, it’s best for a decision earlier.

“I feel really good about the conversations that are going to be had, that have been had with important people in my life. Yourself included. But I’m not looking for somebody to tell me what the answer is. All the answers are right inside me. I touched many of the feeling on both sides in the darkness. I’m thankful for that time.

There’s a finality to the decision. I don’t make it lightly. I don’t want to drag anybody around. I’m answering questions about it because I got asked about it.

I’m talking about it because it’s important to me. If you don’t like it and you think it’s drama, and you think I’m being a diva or whatever, then just tune it out. That’s fine. But this is my life.”

The Green Bay Packers Are Exhausted

While it is all well and good that Rodgers makes sure that he is fully committed to whatever decision he makes, the Packers themselves are not entirely sure that he has been fully committed to them. Per Silver,

“More significantly, the Packers are exhausted by the combination of Rodgers’ high-maintenance persona and what they perceive to have been his low-commitment leadership over the past 12 months.

“As one high-level Packers source put it to me recently, the days of begging Rodgers to return on his terms — which was essentially the organization’s approach during each of the previous two offseasons — are over. If the 39-year-old quarterback tells his bosses that he wants to return and commit to a single-minded quest for a second championship, they’d be receptive. Anything short of that, however, would leave them less than enthused.

“The Packers believe that Rodgers somewhat checked out on them after signing a three-year, $150.8 million contract extension last March, ending weeks’ worth of uncertainty about his future. “

If true, and there is little doubt that it is, the end is coming soon for Rodgers in Green Bay. Jordan Love is waiting in the wings and is reportedly wanting to play. Love has been present for everything the Packers have asked him to be; Rodgers has not.

The fact of the matter is that if the goal is win a Super Bowl, everyone on the team needs to be equally committed to that goal. That requires growing together, working together, going through all of the trials together. Love has been the one putting in that work; Rodgers has not. The Packers are reportedly tired of it, and the future, both short and long-term, is at stake.

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