Aaron Rodgers' Unhappiness With the Packers is Great News for the Vikings

If Rodgers really does end up being traded, the Vikings would have to be considered the favorites in the NFC North.

It's been a wild Day 1 of the NFL Draft, and not a single pick has been made yet.

The big story of the day was a bomb dropped by ESPN's Adam Schefter: Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is unhappy with the organization and does not want to come back to Green Bay in 2021.

Reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers is so disgruntled with the Green Bay Packers that he has told some within the organization that he does not want to return to the team, league and team sources told ESPN on Thursday.

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— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 29, 2021

Since that report from Schefter dropped, the rumors and news have been all over the place regarding Rodgers and his future.

Here's what we know so far: Rodgers is legitimately upset and has been for a while, dating back to the Packers trading up to draft Jordan Love in the first round last year instead of giving him another weapon on offense. He also may have been frustrated about the team choosing to a kick an infamous field goal on fourth down late in the NFC Championship loss to Tampa Bay. 

The Packers remain committed to Rodgers and have no plans to trade him, and they've sent multiple members of the front office to visit with him this offseason. They've even offered a contract extension.

But Rodgers isn't budging. He recently got engaged to Shailene Woodley, has hosted "Jeopardy!", and is generally at a different point in his life right now. Nothing seems imminent right now, because the Packers have no reason to trade him unless he's 100 percent serious about not wanting to play for them anymore, but who knows what will happen in the coming days and weeks.

Here's more:

Over the last month, Aaron Rodgers had his agent Dave Dunn fly out to Green Bay for several days of meetings to work through the situation. Rodgers refused a restructure. Wanted an extension. Teams called knowing he wasn’t happy. GB rebuffed them. Offered an extension. No deal.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 29, 2021

Aaron told Packers he doesn’t want to return as @AdamSchefter said and I think it’s more than a contract deal, I think he’s pretty strongly convicted that he doesn’t want to go back to Packers.

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) April 29, 2021

One more note on #Packers QB Aaron Rodgers: He really impressed the brass during his stint on Jeopardy. The belief is, when they finish auditions, he’ll be among those with a chance to do the job full-time. If this isn’t sorted out, a job hosting is also a possibility.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 29, 2021

Sources: The Packers reportedly told Aaron Rodgers they were going to trade him in the off season, then backed off. It’s been a bleep show between them ever since. And within the last week Rodgers told the team.. trade or no trade I’m not coming back. Buckle up folks

— trey wingo (@wingoz) April 29, 2021

From unimpeachable source: As of last night, Aaron Rodgers’ wish list was 49ers, Broncos, Raiders (not necessarily in that order). He wanted Packers to take the 49ers’ offer. Next move by Rodgers is TBD.

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 29, 2021

The #49ers reached out to the #Packers on Wednesday about trading for Aaron Rodgers, but no formal offer was made and a source said there is a “zero percent chance” that Green Bay deals the reigning NFL MVP.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 29, 2021

And for anyone confused as to why this is happening, this is what happens when you trade up to draft a quarterback in the first round with four years left on Aaron Rodgers' contract. He did a pretty good job of biting his tongue for the past year.

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) April 29, 2021

As you can see, the reports are somewhat all over the place. Like with Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson earlier this offseason, it's anyone's guess if this is just smoke or if something really might happen.

Update: the Packers might be coming around on the idea that they'll have to trade Rodgers, per Chris Mortensen. Also, it sounds like a deal with the Broncos might be in the works.

The #Packers are now open to the reality that they may have to trade Aaron Rodgers, @mortreport just said on ESPN. AFC team is "more likely," for obvious reasons.

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 29, 2021

Mark Schlereth just reported on @1043TheFan that a deal for the Broncos to land Aaron Rodgers is “as close to a done deal as it can get”

— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) April 29, 2021

Regardless, this type of drama is good news for Vikings fans. If Rodgers does end up forcing his way out of the division, Minnesota would become the favorites to win it, and Kirk Cousins would suddenly be the NFC North's best quarterback after the departures of Rodgers and Matthew Stafford.

This could all amount to nothing if Rodgers and the Packers end up working out an extension. But it seems like a very serious situation right now and something to keep monitoring going forwards.

NFL Draft weekend is the best, isn't it?

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