USA TODAY International Edition
Packers coach prepared to do ‘ everything in my power’ to keep Rodgers in Green Bay
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Even after discussing Aaron Rodgers’ displeasure with the Packers with the quarterback directly, Matt LaFleur can’t bring his mind to what might be next.
The Packers coach is not ready to prepare for a possible future without the three- time MVP quarterback. No, LaFleur is firmly fixed on trying to salvage what has become a rift between the franchise quarterback and his team.
“I know the reports out there,” LaFleur said Saturday after the NFL draft conclusion in his first public comments since Rodgers’ desire to leave the organization was reported. “I mean, this guy is our quarterback, man. He’s the leader of our team, and I want nothing more than to see him back in a Packer uniform.”
What if Rodgers doesn’t want to be back?
“Yeah, I know,” LaFleur said. “I can’t even take my brain to that spot right now. So I just want to do everything in my power to ensure that doesn’t happen.”
He isn’t the only one within the Packers organization with that mindset. Since the Rodgers news broke Thursday, the Packers have put on a united, public push to keep their quarterback. General manager Brian Gutekunst has said he’s optimistic Rodgers will play for the Packers again, and no, he isn’t going to trade the MVP. In his monthly column posted to the Packers team website Saturday, CEO Mark Murphy acknowledged the rift has existed for “several months” but that the team is working on resolving the “issue” with its quarterback.
“Brian Gutekunst, Matt LaFleur and I have flown out on a number of occasions to meet with Aaron,” he wrote. “We are very much aware of Aaron’s concerns and have been working with him ( and agent Dave Dunn) to resolve them. We remain committed to Aaron in 2021 and beyond. He is not only a tremendously talented player but has developed into a true leader for us.”
Even with Jordan Love on the roster, Murphy made clear he sees Rodgers remaining the team’s quarterback even beyond this coming season.
Rodgers’ unhappiness with the organization leaked Thursday in the hours before the first round of the draft. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.