11 March 2023 , 14:15
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The Green Bay Packers have been criticised for their handling of the Aaron Rodgers situation with the quarterback looking close to leaving the team..
In recent years, the Packers and Rodgers have had a somewhat strange relationship. In 2020, Rodgers was linked with a trade away from the team, with the Denver Broncos reportedly interested.
That had come after two seasons of Rodgers' play being slightly criticised, with some of the belief that the legendary quarterback was on the decline.
The Packers did not trade Rodgers, making a commitment to him, but they shocked the NFL world when they drafted his replacement in the first-round selection Jordan Love.
But Love would not see the field as starter, with Rodgers more than proving that he's still one of the better quarterbacks in the league, winning back-to-back MVP awards in 2020 and 2021, before a disappointing year this past season.
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After those impressive years, the Packers rewarded Rodgers with a huge $150 million extension, which looked to tie him to the team until he retires.
Now though, Rodgers is likely to be traded to the New York Jets, bringing an end to what has become a saga between the player and the Packers.
Speaking on his podcast, Bill Simmons of The Ringer, was critical of how the Packers have managed the situation, with the franchise having no clear plan and seemingly changing their minds on a few occasions.
He said: "I think Green Bay has handled this spectacularly bad for a couple of years now.
Rodgers looks like he's about to leave the Packers"I don't understand why they gave him the extension last year, there seems to just be a big disconnect, leading back to the Jordan Love pick and all the way through. It's interesting to me they're the only team without an owner and this has been handled badly.
"Even letting the Jets negotiate with Rodgers... unless it's going to come out that it was already agreed, but if I'm the Jets and Rodgers is like 'Okay cool, let's do it', why am I even giving up a first-round pick in that case? Who am I competing against?
"How many other teams could add his salary into their salary cap? People thought he might go to Vegas, but Vegas are decimated, they can't afford him in the salary cap. I've seen it's going to be a first-round and something else, but I'm just dubious."
If a trade is to be made, it will likely happen before March 15 when the free agency period starts. The Jets will look to build around Rodgers, potentially focusing on improving their offensive line.