Trade bombshell: Rodgers pushes for Packers exit on NFL Draft day

The biggest day of the American football off-season has started with a stunning revelation that will rock the league — and could shape the draft.

Aaron Rodgers reportedly wants out of Green Bay. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Never a dull NFL Draft day for Aaron Rodgers.

The drama around Rodgers exploded hours before the NFL’s big event with trade rumours swirling and his anger with the team reaching new levels.

ESPN.com reports Rodgers has told some within the organisation that he does not want to return to the team, prompting a reaction from Kansas City Chiefs superstar Pat Mahomes.

Well i see draft weekend is going to be pretty interesting...🤣🤣

— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) April 29, 2021

Head coach Matt LaFleur, general manager Brian Gutekunst and team president Mark Murphy all flew out to meet with Rodgers this off-season, however, it appears Rodgers’ anger remains.

The issues seemingly stem from the Packers’ decision to draft quarterback Jordan Love a year ago, putting Rodgers’ future with the franchise in doubt.

Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported on Friday several teams reached out to the Packers about trading for Rodgers.

That, according to NFL Network, includes the 49ers, who have the No. 3 pick in NFL Draft 2021.

An earlier report from a Wisconsin radio host suggested the talks focused around that No. 3 pick and Jimmy Garoppolo, the 49ers’ current quarterback.

Aaron Rodgers is the reigning MVP. Picture: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

According to the report, no formal offer was made and there is a “zero per cent chance” the Packers trade Rodgers.

“Aaron’s our guy,” Gutekunst said Tuesday in his pre-draft press conference. “He’s going to be our quarterback for the foreseeable future. We’re excited about kind of the things we’re going to try to accomplish here over the next couple years.”

That’s all well and good, but Green Bay raised plenty of eyebrows when they traded up to draft Love in the first round last year.

Rodgers publicly questioned his future with the franchise after losing in the NFC Championship game and opposing teams obviously sensed an opportunity to capitalise.

“A lot of guys’ futures (are) uncertain, myself included,” Rodgers said at the time.

The Packers, at least for now, seem unwilling to part with the 37-year-old reigning MVP, who may just be posturing to make sure Green Bay finds the right help for him in this year’s draft.

2021 mock NFL draft

With draft day finally here, let’s take one last mock run through the first round.

1. Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

Tune out the contrarian noise, because this is an easy call for new coach Urban Meyer. Lawrence is 198cm star with elite athletic ability and looks like the best quarterback prospect to go No. 1 overall since Andrew Luck in 2012.

2. Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, Brigham Young

A confident kid with gunslinger traits and mobility, Wilson is comparable in many ways to Brett Favre and Russell Wilson. His development will be helped by the Jets’ improved coaching staff.

3. 49ers: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

If the sources are reliable, coach Kyle Shanahan is going with Jones instead of betting on the potential upside of Trey Lance. It’s a reach, but it might also be the best fit. Jones is an accurate passer who completed 77.4 per cent of his throws with 41 touchdowns and four interceptions last season.

4. Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

It probably makes more sense for the Falcons to pick Justin Fields, whom I had in this spot last week, but most indications are they will add a weapon for Matt Ryan if no trade develops.

5. Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

If Pitts is available, he could be the pick. Cincinnati will get help for second-year quarterback Joe Burrow in this spot one way or another. The Bengals will be tempted to take Ja’Marr Chase, who caught 20 of Burrow’s 60 touchdown passes at LSU in 2019, yet the offensive line is the team’s biggest need and Sewell is the top left tackle in the draft.

6. Dolphins: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

7. Lions: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

8. Panthers: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

9. Broncos: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota St.

10. Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

11. Giants: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

12. Eagles: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

13. Chargers: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT, USC

14. Vikings: Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama

15. Patriots: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

16. Cardinals: Jaycee Horn, CB, So. Carolina

17. Raiders: J. Owusu-Koramoah, LB, No. Dame

18. Dolphins: Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami

19. WFT: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Va. Tech

20. Bears: Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern

21. Colts: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas

22. Titans: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

23. Jets: Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan

24. Steelers: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

25. Jaguars: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

26. Browns: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

27. Ravens: Azeez Ojulari, LB, Georgia

28. Saints: Elijah Moore, WR, Mississippi

29. Packers: Liam Eichenberg, OT, No. Dame

30. Bills: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

31. Ravens: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue

32. Bucs: Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami

— New York Post

Originally published as Trade bombshell: Rodgers pushes for Packers exit on NFL Draft day