Actions speak Louder than Words in Matt LaFleur’s Plan for Aaron Rodgers

That 2022 offseason provides an obvious, natural shift point from Aaron Rodgers to 2020 first-round draft pick Jordan Love, whom the Packers traded as much as obtain in spite of Rodgers presence atop the quarterback depth chart and considerable needs at other positions. LaFleur can insist he sees Rodgers in Green Bay for “an actually long period of time”, a vague phrase he has used twice since the draft, and he can tell us Love was the next name on the Packers draft board. We all know draft boards are fluid, that a competitor trading up in the first round for a backup quarterback is ridiculous unless the company has grand plans for stated gamer, and that “a really long time” means practically absolutely nothing with the qualifier that “nothing is guaranteed”.

Back in April, LaFleur was asked to elaborate on what he suggested by “a really long period of time”. Last February, New York Giants basic supervisor Dave Gettleman consistently proclaimed that he did not sign broad receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to an extension just to trade him. One month later, he continued to do exactly that.

In May, the New York Jets had “no intention” of trading star security Jamal Adams. 2 months later on, they sent him to the Seattle Seahawks. A number of years ago, group owner Dan Snyder said he would never ever change the name of Washington’s NFL group.

Dan Snyder changed his tune this summer season, briefly rebranding to the Washington Football Team while he chooses upon a long-term name.

About-faces are par for the course in the NFL. We have become desensitized to them, and owners, general managers, and coaches often get away with them because “circumstances change”. Any declarations less declarative or positive than these would be significantly controversial.

This is the bare minimum from LaFleur, who is saying what he has to say about his current starter due to the fact that there is no requirement to stir the pot even more. Logic suggests Brett Favre is most likely to be right in recommending that Aaron Rodgers “will play elsewhere” before his profession is over. The two-time MVP says he still has “a strong desire” to play into his 40s, but that can not take place in Green Bay without the Packers basically losing a first-round pick on Love.

The Packers had to understand Aaron Rodgers would not be “delighted” or “elated” with the choice to trade up for Love, but they still compromised a very first- and a fourth-round choice to do so rather than strengthen Rodgers supporting cast for 2020. Despite Love’s position on Green Bays draft board, the front workplace headed out of its way and ruffled feathers with a move that did not help the team in the short term, endangered on- and off-field chemistry and likely set a countdown clock for Rodgers time in Green Bay. That is why Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur’s remarks concerning the future of quarterback Aaron Rodgers are practically hollow.

Right now, most importantly, Aaron Rodgers is Packers quarterback, and LaFleur sees him there for a really long period of time.

However long that is, nobody knows. Absolutely nothing is guaranteed in this league. For instance, Aaron Rodgers is guaranteed just $17.2 million beyond the 2021 season which makes it possible for the Packers to develop more than $20 million in salary-cap cost savings by trading a player or launching who will be 38 years of ages already.

Love is an appealing prospect, however the 21-year-old Utah State item “could end up being the best quarterback from a journeyman or the class backup”. He is quite far from “safe bet” status and is likely a toss-up at best. The Packers could have had other chance at quarterback prospects with similar features and similar potential career trajectories in drafts to come.

Instead, they neglected major areas of requirement ahead of a vital season with Aaron Rodgers’ window most likely closing and mortgaged their future for a wild-card developmental job who is now inevitably considered as Rodgers’ successor. Their words are nice, but their actions stay deafening. It is about getting better each and every day and Packers are going to take it week to week.

Aaron Rodgers is by far the best quarterback ever been around.

Rodgers is the best ever to play the game. He can play up until he chooses he does not desire to play any longer.