Trade rumors swirl around Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers

Could Aaron Rodgers be the next quarterback to join the NFC West?

Rumors swirled around the NFL world Thursday as ESPN reported that the 16-year veteran QB is unhappy with the Green Bay Packers and doesn’t want to return to the team.

Reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers is so disgruntled with the Green Bay Packers that he has told some within the organization that he does not want to return to the team, league and team sources told ESPN on Thursday.

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— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 29, 2021

The ESPN report said the Packers have offered to extend Rodgers’ contract and that team CEO Mark Murphy, Gutekunst and coach Matt LaFleur each flew out separately to meet Rodgers during the offseason.

Aaron told Packers he doesn’t want to return as @AdamSchefter said and I think it’s more than a contract deal, I think he’s pretty strongly convicted that he doesn’t want to go back to Packers.

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) April 29, 2021

According to ProFootballTalk, Rodgers’ preferred destinations are with the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos or Las Vegas Raiders.

The Packers, however, swiftly reiterated that Rodgers is their quarterback of the present and future.

“As we’ve stated since the season ended, we are committed to Aaron in 2021 and beyond,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said in a statement released by the team. “Aaron has been a vital part of our success and we look forward to competing for another championship with him leading our team.”

Some on Twitter have begun speculating that Rodgers, a northern California native, will end up with the Cardinals’ NFC West rivals, the 49ers. Others say there is no way a trade will happen.

Aaron Rodgers will end up in San Francisco.

— Dave Pasch (@DavePasch) April 29, 2021

Aaron Rodgers will end up in San Francisco is what I’m being told from my sources, heard rumblings of the Steelers as well, let’s see how everything plays out

— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) April 29, 2021

The #49ers reached out to the #Packers on Wednesday about trading for Aaron Rodgers, but no formal offer was made and a source said there is a “zero percent chance” that Green Bay deals the reigning NFL MVP.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 29, 2021

Rodgers has spent his entire career with Green Bay after the team selected him with the 24th pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. The quarterback signed a four-year, $134 million extension in August 2018, and has three years remaining on his contract.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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