What did you think would happen? It is 2008 all over again in Green Bay as Aaron Rodgers informs the Packers organization he wants out, and presumably would step away from the NFL entirely if necessary with a possible game show endeavor as leverage. Minnesota Vikings play-by-play voice Paul Allen dropped the initial bombshell on Twin Cities radio airwaves, saying he had learned from sources that the San Francisco 49ers offered the third overall pick in the NFL Draft, along with four additional draft choices to Green Bay. Later, media outlets reported Rodgers had requested a trade to either the 49ers, Denver Broncos or Las Vegas Raiders. By the time the NFL Draft started Thursday night, the Broncos emerged as a frontrunner and passed on Justin Fields or Mac Jones with the No. 9 overall pick.
The 37-year old quarterback has calculated a heel turn that would make pro wrestling proud since January when Rodgers referred to his future as a 'beautiful mystery'. He then dropped his stunning engagement to Shailene Woodley out of nowhere while accepting Most Valuable Player honors.
After his team's elimination from Super Bowl contention on Jan. 24, reports surfaced about Rodgers situation with the Packers going nuclear. Still, the oddsmakers made Rodgers a -550 favorite to return to Green Bay, the 49ers a distant second at +800. For the first time it has become clear that Rodgers returning to Green Bay is the long shot - and no longer limited to Skip Bayless or Colin Cowherd hyperbole. Now that Rodgers hijacked the 2021 NFL Draft like D.B. Cooper, the question is whether his Packers exit occurs in the coming days, or after the new league year begins on June 1. A friendly program reminder, the Packers face the 49ers on the West Coast during the 2021 regular season while a trade to Las Vegas or Denver means two annual showdowns against Patrick Mahomes.
The smart money saw this coming long ago.