The Green Bay Packers are at a crossroads. It’s one they knew was coming, they just didn’t know when or how it would happen. Of course we are talking about the ten ton anchor around general manager Brian Gutekunst neck. If he makes the wrong decision here it’s all over for him in Green Bay. And that would be a shame.
Since taking over for the late Ted Thompson I think Gutekunst has done an excellent job of player acquisition. He has used the draft and free agency to build a team that went to back-to-back NFC Championships and had three straight 13 win seasons, a franchise first. He has had his misses for sure, but I think last year’s draft is going to turn out extremely well. The problem is he and Russ Ball are the architects of arguably the worst contract in the NFL history.
How did we get here?
Last offseason the Packers paid a 38-year old quarterback like he was 28 and now that Rodgers is playing like 48 there is a real problem. The Packers have a perfectly good young quarterback in Jordan Love that they can build around without the burden of Rodgers’ contract. You can’t win in the NFL when paying that much money to the quarterback. There is a reason Tom Brady agreed to take less money, seven of them in fact.
Fiscally, it would be dereliction of duty to pay the NFL’s 15th ranked quarterback 60 million dollars next year. That number may be restructured, but Rodgers would still receive the total amount, which would be a gross overpayment for services rendered.
Gutekunst and head coach Matt Lafleur have both stated publicly they would like to continue with average quarterback play because of the commitment they made to Rodgers. Hopefully after reviewing film of last year they come to their senses. Maybe they should join Rodgers in his four day darkness retreat for clarity.
What are the options?
Retirement is the best option. I still think that is what Rodgers will do. Even though he thinks he can still play at a high level the ball don’t lie. I think he’ll find it’s time to find a commune somewhere where he can hang out with people like him and do whatever drugs he wants.
I don’t think the Packers will get much in a trade unless somebody really needs to sell seats. The best place for him to go would be the New York Jets with his buddy Nathanial Hackett. The Raiders are certainly in play but I think Rodgers would take Hackett over Tae.
Whatever happens, I hope it happens soon. This is the Packers held hostage part two.
And now for something really important. Check out this soon to be released Reggie White Bobblehead. The Minister of Defense was an instrumental part of the Packers 1996 Championship team. His signing with the Packers signaled a new era of Packers football. Losing was a thing of the past.
So don’t wait, get your preorder in now. I can vouch for the quality of these things. Best I’ve ever seen.
