It was later reported at the beginning of May 2021 that Rodgers wouldn’t return to the Packers unless the GM was fired. This came after the then-37-year-old Rodgers had won his third MVP during the 2020 season and one year after Green Bay traded up to select Jordan Love with the 26th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Rodgers also still had four more years on his contract at the time of Love’s selection.
The 10-time Pro Bowler remained away from the team until days before training camp that August and after Gutekunst and the Packers brass traded for wide receiver Randall Cobb, Rodgers’ best friend and longtime former teammate in Green Bay.
“After the first practice of camp, Rodgers aired his grievances, saying he wanted to see changes to the organization’s communication and culture. According to Rodgers, the communication between him and Gutekunst improved somewhat,” Schneidman wrote.
The Packers beat writer added that the Super Bowl XLV MVP was asked about the 2021 ultimatum and deferred to Dunn, who didn’t reply to The Athletic’s request.
Rodgers won his fourth MVP during the 2021 campaign, and while Green Bay made the playoffs for the third straight year and 11th time in 13 seasons, they fell short of the Super Bowl again. Love played in a career-high six games (one start) in 2021, going 36-for-62 for 411 passing yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Rodgers played in all 17 games during the 2022 season and Love was again relegated to mop-up duty, playing in four games and going 14-for-21 for 195 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. After months of rumors and speculation, Rodgers was finally traded to the New York Jets in late April.
