The tension between future Hall of Fame Packers’ quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, and the Packers’ front office has been a mainstay in sports’ news for months. When ESPN’s Adam Schefter dropped the bomb on the first day of the NFL Draft day that Rodgers did not want to return to the Packers, many assumed it was because of Brian Gutekunst. As the months have passed, we have learned the sources Schefter said he had did not exist. However, the issue between the Packers and Aaron Rodgers was very much true. Earlier this week, Packers’ President Mark Murphy stated that he believed it would be better for both parties to say as little as possible to the public.
That did not stop Murphy, however, from saying this little tidbit earlier on Saturday:
Packers President Mark Murphy calls Aaron Rodgers a “complicated fella.” https://t.co/vosq5yFTh8
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 12, 2021
Background on Mark Murphy’s Quote
There is a major difference, though, between Thompson’s labeling of Rodgers as complicated and Murphy using that phrase. Ted Thompson and Aaron Rodgers had a great working relationship, and Rodgers was always loyal to Ted, who faced a great deal of backlash for drafting Rodgers while Brett Favre was entrenched as Green Bay’s starting quarterback. Murphy, who was running the Packers even back then, did not stick his neck out to defend the pick as much as Thompson did in the media.
Another Troubling Murphy Quote about Rodgers
After Mike McCarthy was fired as head coach of the Packers, the team hired Matt LaFleur to take his place. According to reports, Mark Murphy told Rogers “Don’t be the problem,” when discussing the hiring with the Packers’ quarterback. Clearly, Murphy does not have a high opinion on Aaron Rogers, and hasn’t for years.
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Reactions to Murphy’s Comments
Needless to say, Packers’ fans on social media were not fond on Murphy’s statement about Rodgers, especially with the quarterback missing from mandatory training camp.
Mark Murphy has done some good things during his tenure as Packers CEO, but this moment with Rodgers does not lend itself to his strengths. It exposes one of his biggest weaknesses: Not knowing when to just shut the hell up.
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) June 12, 2021
this isnt necessarily wrong, but this is no way to talk about your franchise leader for 10+ years, while also knowing he has issues with the front office. mark murphy needs to be gone https://t.co/b2z3WWrCOy
— ᴀʟᴇx 🧀 (@XMcKinneySZN) June 12, 2021
I think what bothers me most about this is that it feels like Mark Murphy is trying to use the late Ted Thompson’s words as a scape goat to express how he feels on the current situation with Aaron Rodgers. https://t.co/JQI9TeCEYR
— 𝐽𝐸𝑁 𝑀𝐴𝐶𝐾 🧀 (@BigMack_4) June 12, 2021
Conclusion
As mentioned previously, when the Rodgers’ situation came to light, many blamed Brian Gutekunst. As it turns out, perhaps Mark Murphy is the figure drawing Rodgers’ ire this offseason. Rodgers stated that his differences with the organization are philisophical in nature, and Murphy runs the organization. Murphy’s statement may or may not affect Rodgers’ timeline or decision regarding playing this year. However, it perfectly paints the picture of what a mess this situation has become.
*Special thanks to Jen Mack (@BigMack_4) for the picture used as the cover photo for this article.
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