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Isn't Schefter the donkey hat that started this whole thing?
I never did think it was about the money. I also wonder what "tied him to" means. is it simply under contract with relatively easy ways out for the team or does it mean so much money consideration that they literally couldn't get rid of him without such serious cap ramifications as to guarantee he will be here.
I think Rodgers has two main beefs. First he feels he should either have input in personnel decisions or at least be included in the conversations. I'm sure he wanted super Jake and Jordy back and maybe that's what he means when he says the organization doesn't treat its players well. That part may really not have anything to do with him personally. He see's what happens to his friends and doesn't think it fair. IMO its a fine line when you start to give players a say in personnel matters. I just don't think you can do that. To that end I don't think its really any of his business what the team does to other players. That is between the team and that particular player. Obviously that doesn't mean he has to like it and if it happens too much it can, and looks like it has, affected his feelings towards the organization. Having said that, while I don't think the Packers are obligated in any way to share their decisions about current players (Nelson or Kumerow for example) I don't see any real harm in saying before a draft "if we have the chance to take this or that player or a certain position we are going to do it." Of course being an NFL player I would also expect Rogers to understand that this might happen. That's why I don't think the Jordan Love pick is as big of a deal that people make it out to be. I think who they didn't take (a WR) was much more of a factor than who they did take.
Second I think he wants to be able to dictate when and how he walks away. He wants a firm commitment from the team that he is their guy not just for the foreseeable future but until he decided when he wants to hang it up. I think its clear Packers want him back. I think that was clear even before this new tweet by the twit. But, they want him back on terms that are beneficial to the team and I don't see what's wrong with that. From a player standpoint I understand that, I mean I think they all want to leave on their own terms but its unrealistic to afford that option to anyone, even a player like Rodgers. It does not help the team.
Without seeing details of the extension offer its hard to say. I would guess, given the money that would have to be involved, that it would include huge signing bonus in exchange for lower salary in 2021 and 2022 but a much bigger cap hit in the last 3 years. Given that many expect the cap to explode in 2023 however perhaps the team saw that as still giving them an acceptable way out after 2022. Perhaps Rodgers saw this as well and didn't feel like it was really the firm commitment beyond 2022 that he was looking for.
At this point I think the decision has been made and I think there are 6 people in the world who know how this will all turn out. On his side, himself obviously, his agent and Shailene. On the Packers side Murphy, Gute and Lafleur. At this point in time, other than to appease the fans, I don't think it benefits either side to spill the beans. The decision will be revealed in the next couple of weeks and its just my opinion, maybe more of my hope than my opinion, that Rodgers will be back in Green Bay for 3 more years after which he will retire.
