Aaron Rodgers trade rumor timeline: How we got here, what comes next for Packers' star QB |
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Every day seems to shed new light on the feud between Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Thirteen years after Brett Favre endured an unceremonious departure, his successor appears more and more likely to leave on similarly shaky terms. How, exactly, did we get to this point? When did all of the raging trade rumors first kick into high gear? As the Packers try to downplay the possibility of Rodgers heading elsewhere and the reigning NFL MVP apparently jockeys to control his own destiny, here's a timeline of what's gone down and what could come next: April 23, 2020: The Packers trade up from No. 30 to No. 26 and select Utah State quarterback Jordan Love, their first Day 1 QB pick since Rodgers in 2005. The move isn't unprecedented, with other clubs (like the Chiefs, in 2017) moving up for a QB successor despite already boasting a playoff-proven starter, and Rodgers coming off three straight "subdued" seasons -- one shortened by injury and all with fewer than 30 touchdown passes, a mark he'd hit in five of his previous six years. Still, just two years after the Packers signed Rodgers, 36, to a four-year extension through 2023, it has ripple effects ...
April 24, 2020: Packers coach Matt LaFleur places a phone call to Rodgers after (virtually) welcoming Love to Green Bay. He tells NFL Network's Mike Silver that Rodgers remains the Packers' future at QB: "Obviously, Aaron Rodgers is the leader of this football team, and my expectation is that he will be for a long time. I sincerely love the guy, and I love working with him, and it's a hell of a lot of fun. I'm really excited about where we can take this, and that hasn't changed one bit." April 29, 2020: Brett Favre joins "The Rich Eisen Show" and says he spoke with Rodgers after the Love pick, suggesting the surprise move "got the wheels turning in Aaron's mind" about a future split with the Packers. He predicts Rodgers will finish his career elsewhere. |