Aaron Rodgers, the legendary quarterback and reigning MVP, has told some in the Packers organization that he doesn’t want to return to the team, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday afternoon.
That bombshell came hours after a report that the 49ers offered the Packers the third pick in Thursday night’s draft, plus more, for Rodgers. The Packers quickly rebuffed them, per Schefter.
Monday, Packers general manager Brian Gutenkunst said Rodgers “is going to be our quarterback for the foreseeable future.”
Rodgers is a native of Northern California; it’s unclear if he’d welcome a trade to the 49ers. He’s also been a guest host on “Jeopardy!”, which is taped in Southern California.
Rodgers was unamused at this time last year when, rather than taking a wide receiver in the first round for the first time in his career, the Packers decided to draft Utah State quarterback Jordan Love.
When the Packers’ season ended after the NFC championship game loss to the Buccaneers — and a controversial decision by coach Matt LaFleur to kick a field goal rather than let Rodgers try for a touchdown — the quarterback made cryptic comments about his future with the franchise.
Rodgers leaving the division would undoubtedly be a boon for the rival Bears, who have lost 21 of 26 games against the star quarterback — most recently in the season finale.