Aaron Rodgers Expected To Skip Minicamp

None of the Packers’ offseason overtures to Aaron Rodgers have swayed the reigning MVP. He is not expected to attend the team’s minicamp this week, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

This certainly is not a surprise, and fines for Rodgers will not eclipse $100K. The Packers have discussed classifying Rodgers’ minicamp absence as excused, which would waive the five-figure fine he would otherwise incur. Rodgers has already passed up a chance to collect a $500K workout bonus, making a fine in the $93K range rather paltry. The Packers begin their three-day minicamp Tuesday.

The future Hall of Fame quarterback has told teammates he no longer wants to play for the Packers. While this standoff became known just before the draft, Rodgers has been unhappy with the team throughout the offseason. Packers president Mark Murphy, GM Brian Gutekunst and HC Matt LaFleur each made multiple plane trips to meet with Rodgers — in an effort to diffuse this situation and steer back to Green Bay — but the 13-year Packers QB1 has not budged.

Although the Packers drafted Jordan Love in 2020, Rodgers remains Green Bay’s no-doubt preference to start in 2021. He has said on multiple occasions this offseason his 2020 MVP season threw a wrench into the Packers’ QB plans. Rodgers said last year the Love pick likely made it unrealistic he would finish his career with the Packers. As Rodgers’ quest to exit Green Bay enters the summer, this minicamp will be the first mandatory Packers activity he will have skipped.

The June 1 date, after which Rodgers’ contract can be more easily moved, has not seemed to affect this stalemate. Gutekunst remains entrenched on his no-trade stance, and his strong-willed quarterback has not moved off his desire to leave. Rodgers’ statement during his late-May interview with Kenny Mayne pointed to discontent with Gutekunst and Murphy, citing philosophical differences, and the team president said recently this saga has divided the team’s fan base.

The Packers still appear confident Rodgers will back down, with a recent report indicating they would trade the 17th-year veteran if they were truly convinced he is set on never playing for the team again. A lucrative trade package — from the Broncos or perhaps a stealth AFC suitor — would certainly come Green Bay’s way in this event. For the time being, however, the standoff persists. Love will have a chance to work with the first-string receivers, who plan to show for minicamp after skipping OTAs, beginning Tuesday. Should Rodgers stick to his guns and wage a training camp holdout, this week would provide a preview for how the Packers’ offense will look come late July.

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