Aaron Rodgers addresses relationship with Packers GM

After becoming the 2020 NFL MVP, quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ future in Green Bay remained a question throughout the offseason. Now, Rodgers has addressed his relationship with Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst.

Rodgers: Relationship with Gutekunst ‘a work in progress’

It has been rumored that Rodgers has been unhappy with the Packers for two consecutive off-seasons. Many wondered if Rodgers would even report to Green Bay for the 2021 season. Those questions were finally answered on July 29^th. Rodgers and the Packers agreed to rework his current contract, voiding the 2023 season, and tying him to the team only for two more years instead of three.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter also noted that forfeiture provisions were taken out of the contract. This means that the Packers cannot pursue prorated parts of Rodgers’ signing bonus.

Aaron Rodgers’ reworked deal now is signed, per sources. Here are the “on paper” concessions in the new contract:

🏈2023 year is voided.

🏈Forfeiture provisions were removed from the contract, preventing the Packers from pursuing prorated portions of Rodgers’ signing bonus.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 29, 2021

Asked about his relationship with Gutekunst on Wednesday, Rodgers said it’s being worked on, per Around The NFL writer Nick Shook.

“I think it’s a work in progress,” Rodgers says. “I think relationships aren’t formed in the matter of a couple days. There’s time where the respect grows and the communication follows. I think the greatest relationships that you have with your friends and loved ones involve conversations and flow. You can not talk to a close friend for a few months and pick up right where you left off.”

Keeping the relationship positive will be vital

If the Packers want to keep their star quarterback happy, the easiest way to do that is to win football games. Rodgers is one of four players in NFL history to win MVP awards more than two times. He has thrown for 51,245 yards and 412 touchdowns in his 16-year NFL career. The Packers won the 2010 Super Bowl with Rodgers at the helm. He is still going strong at 37 years old.

Last week, the Packers traded for wide receiver Randall Cobb. Gutekunst credited Rodgers’ desire for more familiarity with the acquisition of Cobb, a favorite target of his early in their Green Bay careers.

“I think that was a big part of it,” Gutekunst said last week. “Without Aaron, I don’t know if we would be pursuing that. He’s still a really good player.”

#Packers GM Brian Gutekunst point-blank admits that they traded for Randall Cobb to make Aaron Rodgers happy.

pic.twitter.com/WbNnsNKYiZ

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 29, 2021

While the trade seems to have been an attempt to keep Rodgers happy, Gutekunst and the Packers will need to continue building the relationship with his quarterback. If that doesn’t happen, the Packers might see the same issue again after the season.

Image courtesy of: Harry How via Getty Images.