The James Jones interview... especially when asked what the major beef actually is and he responded "that's a conversation I have to keep private" indicates to me that there is A THING that Rodgers is bothered by, more specific than the general way James Jones explained it after that, about people being allowed to leave the building.
But it is becoming maybe clearer, right?
Like, let's start with 2016 when Josh Sitton is a surprise cut. Sitton was considered a leader on the team, both of the OLine and the offense in general. My sense at the time was that Sitton had turned sour on the team and the team recognized the danger of a leader who is "leading" the troops
against team management and let him go.
In 2017 was TJ Lang, who introduced us to this general management practice (even though there was slightly different management at the time)
Lang, who likely would be the Packers’ most expensive free agent to re-sign, said Monday in an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio that he “hasn’t heard a word” from the Packers about a new contract.
“I said it after the season about obviously wanting to stay in Green Bay, and I still feel that way, but at this point I don’t really have any other options,” Lang said. “I have to prepare as if I’m going to hit the open market and see what the options are.”
Now, before March came, he did report that there had been "some contact," so it didn't stay silent, but that quote still resonated with us as fans.
Then in 2018 Jordy gets cut with one year left on his deal. This, to me, is a big one; maybe THE big one. James Jones mentioned him in some detail, that having a guy who can finish the QB's sentences might be more productive and important than having a guy who's a step faster. Jordy's play in Oakland justified the move, but from the QB's point of view, this seems big. Jordy at the time said he was
"hurt" by the "unceremonius cut." This quote hits different now than it did 3 years ago.
Nelson was slated to enter the final year of a four-year, $39 million deal with the Packers this season that came with a cap hit of more than $12 million. He anticipated being asked to take a pay cut, and even considered it, up until he spoke with new Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst.
"I think the [pay cut] number was part of it, but also the conversation I had in the meeting," Nelson said. "I met with Brian and had a discussion because I had to get a feel for not just the pay cut but what their plans were going forward. After that meeting, there wasn't, I don't think, much desire there. I think with the combination of both, we decided what was best for myself and my family [just] as they decided what was best for them and the Packers."
Rodgers signed his big extension, though, like 4 months later. So he was probably bothered by it, but hadn't identified it as a pattern.
There is a small parade of players who have reported/stated that leading up to free agency they heard absolute radio silence, and I wish I could remember more of them. So Jordy talks about wanting to know their plans moving forward regarding him, and was unsatisfied with the meeting. Lang talks about wanting to remain a Packer and hearing nothing. This happened again
this offseason with Linsley.
Packers center Corey Linsley said Thursday that while he doesn't necessarily want to leave Green Bay, he feels as if his departure is coming in March.
"We're not closing the door for anything," Linsley told SiriusXM NFL Radio. "Obviously we'd never do that for any team, especially the Packers, but yeah it definitely feels weird. Looks like all signs are pointing towards snapping the ball somewhere else next year."
We also of course have Aaron Rodgers calling Jake Kumerow a "lock" for the roster the day before he got cut in final roster cutdowns. This came up in reporting in a way that was almost comical, given the absolute nonfactor that Kumerow had been, but as was mentioned at the time, Rodgers made comments about this during the season, stating in a press conference "the last time I praised a guy he ended up in Buffalo so I'll keep those comments to myself."
And then we have his "people" rant.
It’s never been about the draft pick, picking Jordan. I love Jordan. He’s a great kid. Lot of fun to work together. I love the coaching staff, love my teammates. Love the fan base in Green Bay. Incredible 16 years. It’s just kind of about a philosophy, you know? And maybe forgetting that it is about the people that make the thing go.
It’s about character. It’s about culture. It’s about doing things the right way. A lot of this was put in motion last year. The wrench was just kind of thrown into it when I won the MVP and played the way I played last year. So this is just kind of I think the spill out of all that. But look, man, it is about the people, and that’s the most important thing. Green Bay has always been about the people, from Curly Lambeau being owner and founder to the ’60s with Lombardi and Bart Starr and all those incredible names to the ’90s teams with Coach Holmgren and Favrey and the Minister of Defense to the run that we’ve been on. It’s about the people.
So now, we're getting an idea that Rodgers wants the team to be more sentimental about who it releases, to give Rodgers' opinions of which OLinemen and WRs he likes having around him some weight, and probably most of all, to let the players know, more candidly and more empathetically, what the team plans for them are when the time is coming. Jordy wanted to know the plan for him. Lang wanted to know the plan. Linsley wanted to know the plan. And Rodgers feels like he intuited his own replacement plan primarily because they didn't communicate with him clearly what their plan was.
Those, I think, are reasonable things to be upset about and want to see changed. They are also backward-looking gripes which means there isn't a great resolution for it.
I STILL think the best way out of this is for Gutey to address the team, tell them he has heard their concerns, Aaron's concerns. Open his door for players to come in and have a conversation with him about those types of grievances. I think they should hire someone in the front office to be some sort of a player liason to keep the FO accountable to the goals they are setting out, and that person should be present for the meetings and should be someone the team knows and trusts--likely a former player. Then, after addressing the team, making the hire, holding the meetings, and implementing some sort of communication reforms, (some of which will leak to the media) the team should formally announce it in a press release the day before Gutey has media access for a press conference. And then he can make his case that concerns have been heard, that the situation is ongoing, and that they still want Aaron Rodgers back. Rodgers comes back, he needs very little (if any) personal accommodations made, and to his teammates he's the hero who fought for their humanity and dignity in a dog-eat-dog business.
If he doesn't come back, despite all of that, to the outside world he's the villain who pretends to make it about the team and the people but it's really about him and his selfish demands.
That's my take. That's my plan.
