Zero2Cool
4 years ago

He waited 13 long years for this moment, a chance to play for a Super Bowl at Lambeau Field, as opposed to standing there helplessly in the Titletown chill. And when it finally came on Sunday in Green Bay -- and passed, in a manner so heartbreaking and dumbfounding that it seemed to knock the life out of him -- Aaron Rodgers trudged across the frozen tundra and into the great unknown.

After a brief, melancholy hug with his victorious rival, Tom Brady, Rodgers knew what came next, and it would not be pleasant: A trip to the subdued Packers locker room, a shower, and then a virtual press conference to break down the 31-26 NFC Championship Game defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This was a moment of reckoning, and more than anyone -- even Green Bay's second-year coach, Matt LaFleur -- the star quarterback and face of the franchise would be asked to process it and put it into context.

In that charged moment, his wounds still fresh, Rodgers, a highly intelligent and hyper-aware 37-year-old, chose his words carefully. And when he spoke, I believe he delivered a message to his bosses, one I'd roughly translate thusly: Your way of doing business has to change, or maybe I should be on my way.

"[There are] a lot of guys' futures that are uncertain," Rodgers told reporters, "myself included. That's what's sad about it most ... getting this far. Obviously there's going to be an end to it at some point, whether we make it past this one or not. Just the uncertainties, 🇮🇹 is tough, and the finality of it."

In the immediate aftermath of the fifth-seeded Bucs' upset of the top-seeded Packers -- the second consecutive year Green Bay has been bounced at this late stage -- there were a lot of sizzling storylines to address.

For starters, the Packers made a multitude of mistakes, most glaringly allowing Scott Miller to get behind the secondary to catch Brady's 39-yard touchdown pass a second before halftime -- yet another epic endeavor by the most ruthless quarterback ever to spin it -- and fell behind 28-10 early in the third quarter.

Then, fueled by a dominant second-half performance that included intercepting Brady on three consecutive possessions, the Packers were eight yards and a two-point conversion away from tying the game in the final minutes. Yet after three incompletions, with the Packers facing fourth-and-goal from the 8 and trailing 31-23, LaFleur made the surprising decision to have Mason Crosby kick a 26-yard field goal with 2:05 remaining, believing that Green Bay (which had all three timeouts) could get a stop and give Rodgers another chance to score a touchdown.

And then, on a day when the officials had ignored most contact in the secondary and largely kept their flags in their pockets, a late and semi-nitpicky third-down pass interference call on cornerback Kevin King sealed the deal for Brady -- sending him to his 10th Super Bowl -- and the Bucs, who'll face the AFC champion (and defending Super Bowl champion) Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 7 as the first team to play for a Lombardi Trophy in their home stadium.

All of that is captivating and compelling and worthy of our further examination, but Rodgers' postgame message -- well, that resonated most of all. And really, if we're intellectually honest with ourselves, an eventual first-ballot Hall of Famer's uncertain future has been looming over the entirety of the 2020 NFL season, and really goes back even further than that.

A year ago, the San Francisco 49ers ran all over the Packers en route to a 37-20 NFC Championship Game victory. Afterward, Rodgers did his best to put a positive spin on the outcome, saying his first year with LaFleur would "always be special because it became fun again."

Yet the Packers' front office, which had been uncharacteristically proactive in free agency the previous spring (with great results), went back to its passive ways this past March, and Rodgers undoubtedly noticed.

In late April, when general manager Brian Gutekunst traded up in the first round to draft ... Utah State quarterback Jordan Love -- well, Rodgers did more than notice. No, he wasn't thrilled. Not only had Green Bay aggressively coveted his successor, but there was also the matter of opportunity cost. Gutekunst left some potential impact players on the board when he made the move for Love, and in a draft considered receiver-rich, he elected not to select a single wideout.

That storyline faded as we watched Rodgers put together a monster season that will almost certainly earn him a third Most Valuable Player award -- with the distinct promise of a second chance to hoist the trophy he really covets, the one named after a Packers coaching legend.

It resurfaced Sunday, in a glaring way. As the Bucs celebrated their victory over the Packers at Lambeau, how could Rodgers not have pondered the disparity between the two organizations' respect approaches?

In March, when Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht landed Brady, a living legend who'd turn 43 before the start of the season, he reacted by putting the pedal to the metal and running through stop signs and speed bumps. From Rob Gronkowski to LeSean McCoy to Leonard Fournette to Antonio Brown, Licht took huge swings on talented veterans he hoped might make a difference in a furious push to maximize the relatively small window created by Brady's presence.

In the draft, rather than going after Brady's successor, Licht used the 13th overall pick on Iowa's Tristan Wirfs, who instantly became an impact player at right tackle and consistently made his quarterback's life better.

Licht's approach wasn't guaranteed to work. But it made intuitive sense, jibing perfectly with head coach Bruce Arians' No risk it, no biscuit mantra. And it certainly helped convince Brady that his bosses were all in, and possibly took some of the burden off of the legendary quarterback, psychic or otherwise.

The Packers, by contrast, appeared to be telling Rodgers something much different in April: We do things our way, and we're already looking past this era -- but hey, if you want to up your game to an even more ethereal level and carry the guys we've already got as far as they can possibly go, have at it!

So yeah, now that Rodgers (33-for-48, 346 yards, three touchdowns, one interception), besieged by a relentless Bucs pass rush and beset by teammates' uncharacteristic mistakes (like the fumble by running back Aaron Jones that essentially handed the Bucs a third-quarter touchdown and the dropped two-point conversion by Equanimeous St. Brown), tried and failed, he's got a lot to unpack. The fact that he fell short against one of the greatest competitors the sports world has ever known -- on a day in which Brady made more mistakes than usual -- makes that unpacking process even messier.

We all want clarity, but what happens next isn't as clear-cut as some might portray it. Sure, Rodgers -- who is under contract through the 2023 season -- could tell his bosses he wants out and try to force a trade. To me, that seems like an extreme scenario given how close this team came to playing for a championship, and how integral he is to its fortunes. It should also be noted that while LaFleur does not technically have final say over such matters, he has won an inordinately high percentage of games during his first two seasons and has a zero-percent desire to go into 2021 without Rodgers as his starter -- and will certainly make his thoughts known.

More likely, in the aftermath of a defeat he called "gutting," Rodgers was flexing his power and sending a message. It's one that Gutekunst and his bosses should listen to closely, and assess carefully.

If the Packers want to keep Rodgers in 2021, and perhaps beyond, they're going to need to change their organizational mentality. It's time to pursue talent aggressively and relentlessly and try to load up for another title run while this generational quarterback is still willing and able to fuel that effort.

Either that, or they can stay passive, sit on their hands and watch it all burn.

https://www.nfl.com/news/aaron-rodgers-postgame-comments-a-message-to-packers-brass-that-organizational-m 

Mike Silver wrote:



What do you think about this?
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nerdmann
4 years ago

What do you think about this?

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 



I think he should GTFO if that's how he feels. Can't take responsibility for the team. NOT a leader.

He did great as long as he was down with Matt's program. Now he's blaming upper management for this loss? Aaron, GoodellBall is what got you here. We get calls too. Not ss much as the Golden Boy Tom Brady, but more than most teams.

I bet Aaron liked upper management just finecwhen they gave him the $100milliin contract.

Step up and win a game dude. Don't turn the ball over. Run it in instead of throwing incompletions. Don't get down by yhree scores, then the refs can't help him.

Is this the example he's setting for all the other players? Is this the example he's setting for all the kids of NE Wisconsin?

Trade him for Matthew Stafford. He'd be grateful for the opportunity. Send him to Jacksonville. Go with Love. Matt had RBG III ready as a rookie.
“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
nerdmann
4 years ago
Aaron didn't "wait" for 13 years. He FAILED TO ACHIEVE IT for 13 years. It's not Mark Murphy's job to win games, lock up home field advantage. That's AARON'S job.

And if he keeps crying about the Illuminati rigging a game against him, they'll stop rigging them in his favor.
“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
yooperfan
4 years ago
I didn’t read this before my last post but I mostly agree with Aaron Aaron Rodgers.
That heart breaking loss wasn’t on Murphy or Gutekunst or Aaron Rodgers
That loss was on head coach Matt LeFleur.
Simply heartbreaking.
Zero2Cool
4 years ago

I didn’t read this before my last post but I mostly agree with Aaron Aaron Rodgers.
That heart breaking loss wasn’t on Murphy or Gutekunst or Aaron Rodgers
That loss was on head coach Matt LeFleur.
Simply heartbreaking.

Originally Posted by: yooperfan 



Aaron Rodgers did not put the loss on Head Coach Matt LeFleur. If not for the Head Coach, the Packers wouldn't have even been in the playoffs. Amazing how fans are so fickle and quick to forget, or appreciate. Come on, people! The season only ends happy for one team every year. It is HARD to do.
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Cheesey
4 years ago
I don’t blame Rodgers for being frustrated. But I don’t want him to retire yet.
Although honestly, looking at next years schedule, I can’t see the Packers going better then 8-8.
This was their best shot at a super bowl, and they blew it.
And our defense, with all the mess ups, DID give Rodgers a few shots to win the game in the fourth quarter, and he didn’t get it done. Not that it’s only his fault. There’s plenty of blame to go around if you ask me.
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Zero2Cool
4 years ago
Brett Favre chimes in.

UserPostedImage
nerdmann
4 years ago

Brett Favre chimes in.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 



The guy who was the biggest post season disappointment in any sport
“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
go.pack.go.
4 years ago

I think he should GTFO if that's how he feels. Can't take responsibility for the team. NOT a leader.

He did great as long as he was down with Matt's program. Now he's blaming upper management for this loss? Aaron, GoodellBall is what got you here. We get calls too. Not ss much as the Golden Boy Tom Brady, but more than most teams.

I bet Aaron liked upper management just finecwhen they gave him the $100milliin contract.

Step up and win a game dude. Don't turn the ball over. Run it in instead of throwing incompletions. Don't get down by yhree scores, then the refs can't help him.

Is this the example he's setting for all the other players? Is this the example he's setting for all the kids of NE Wisconsin?

Trade him for Matthew Stafford. He'd be grateful for the opportunity. Send him to Jacksonville. Go with Love. Matt had RBG III ready as a rookie.

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 



You’re quick to forget that this team is below average without 12 behind center....
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dhazer
4 years ago

You’re quick to forget that this team is below average without 12 behind center....

Originally Posted by: go.pack.go. 



You forget this team isnt good enough to win a big game with #12 behind center. I honestly think Love will flourish in the offense. And just think the free agents that we would be able to bring in without having all that cap space tied up in the qb position. I seen someone saying that Rodgers is mad because look at what Tampa did and GB didn't do that. Well there is a huge difference players want to play with Brady because he is well respected. Look thru the years and the people that have left the Packers and the comments they say about Rodgers. The best case scenario would be he retires because if we trade him we still will be in cap hell.

Just Imagine this for the next 6-9 years. What a ride it will be 🙂 (PS, Zero should charge for this)
reed
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Zero2Cool (14-Feb) : Packers are hiring Luke Getsy as senior offensive assistant.
Martha Careful (12-Feb) : I would love to have them both, esp. Crosby, but either might be too expensive.
Zero2Cool (12-Feb) : Keisean Nixon is trying to get Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams lol
Mucky Tundra (11-Feb) : Yeah where did it go?
packerfanoutwest (11-Feb) : or did you resctrict access to that topic?
packerfanoutwest (11-Feb) : why did you remove the Playoff topic?
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Tua’s old DC won a Super Bowl Year 1 with Tua’s former backup
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : *winning MVP
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Funny observation I've heard: Carson Wentz was on the sideline for both Eagles Super Bowl wins w/guys supposed to be his back up winning
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : NFL thought it would get more attention week preceding Super Bowl.
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Yes, the Pro Bowl. It was played Sunday before Super Bowl from 2010-2022
packerfanoutwest (10-Feb) : pro bowl
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : From 2010 to 2022, it was played on the Sunday before the Super Bowl
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : They moved it to the BYE week before Super Bowl several years ago.
packerfanoutwest (10-Feb) : it was always after the SB.....
beast (10-Feb) : Though I stop following pro bowl years ago
beast (10-Feb) : I thought the pro game was before the Super Bowl?
packerfanoutwest (10-Feb) : ok now for the Pro Bowl Game in Hawaii
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : If I was Philly I would try to end it instead of punting it
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : VICTORY! We have (moral) victory!
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : Hey they mentioned that we 3-peted
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : seems to me the 49ers should have traded Aiyuk when they had the chance
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : if the Eagles get it down to the 1, do they Tush Push or give it to Barkley?
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : 49ers have a money problem if they want to sign their QB
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Wait for real? Didn't he just get an extension two years ago?
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : 49ers gonna trade Deebo. Interesting
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : Replays always never seem to show the holdings
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : Great throw by Hurts
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Where Carter falls prey to bad off the field influences (to be clear, not saying he'd clip someone though)
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Had Carter not gone to Philly were they already had a lot of old college friends, he ends up in a similar spot to Aaron Hernandez
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : I think some of his coaches told scouts to stay away
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : the street racing incident+conditioning and motivation problems
beast (10-Feb) : Then Carter was street racing, where the other car crashed and people died... and other teams were scared to pick Carter for some reason
beast (10-Feb) : I think the Saints traded up, giving their next year 1st to the Eagles, and then they sucked and Eagles got the 10th overall pick
packerfanoutwest (10-Feb) : wtf Barkley?
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : Getting Carter and Nolan Smith in the first round in 2023 was pretty darn good
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : for some reason i'm thinking of a draft where the Eagles where in the mid 20s and a top player fell all the way to them
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : I think so. I would need to look it up. Think it may have been Carolina's pick.
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : i'm not sure who i'm thinking of now
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : oh fuck me i messed that up
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Jordan Davis was 13th overall
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Carter was 9th overall
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Eagles had 15th and 10th selections, moved to 13 and 9 to get Davis and Carter back to back
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Eagles traded up for Carter, didn't they?
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Obviously he was a huge risk but getting a top 5 talent on the dline in the mid 20s is fortuitous
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Jalen Carter falling into their lap certainly helps
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : And we could only wish to have this type of D
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : It's not like Philly has had low draft picks, but has managed to get themselves a top notch pass rush. We spend so much draft capital of D
packerfanoutwest (10-Feb) : another crap halftime show
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : I think it is over, but then I think of Atlanta and want Philly to go in with the same intensity in the second half
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