GREEN BAY, Wisconsin – Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said he does not feel the need to reassure Aaron Rodgers that he will be the defender in 2021 and beyond, but used Monday’s press conference to reiterate his commitment with him.
“I don’t think I have to do much to guarantee him because I think his game obviously speaks for itself,” Gutekunst said on Monday in his first public comments, since Rodgers openly questioned his future at Green Bay after the NFC defeat. Championship game for buccaneers eight days earlier.
“I will say this: we are very excited not only for next year, but for those to come. He is playing at such a high level that he has always played, and I think this year was a special team. It didn’t end as we wanted to end, but I think everyone is purely motivated to come back and I think, as I said, I don’t think there’s anything we have to do. He is our defender and our leader. “
Coach Matt LaFleur offered an equally strong commitment when asked if he is confident that Rodgers will be his quarterback in 2021 and beyond.
“Is that a catch?” LaFleur said. “Absolutely. There is no doubt about it. You are talking about the guy who will win the MVP of the league. We are not in this position without him. I couldn’t be happier not only with his performance, but how he led our football team , all the little things he does in that locker room to make sure everyone is locked up, focused and ready to go. He’ll definitely be here for a long time. I know I’ve said that before, but a long time. “
Gutekunst said he “would absolutely not” trade Rodgers this season and refuted a report that the Los Angeles Rams ran a race against Rodgers before acquiring Matthew Stafford in an exchange with Lions on Saturday.
Rodgers is coming out of perhaps his best season, with 48 touchdowns and five interceptions. He led the Packers to his second consecutive 13-3 season and to the NFC title game in so many years under LaFleur, and he is expected to be named the NFL MVP for the third time in his career on Saturday.
“I think he is without a doubt the best player I have ever seen or been around,” said Gutekunst. “The chances he gives us week after week are significant, so he will be part of our future and we are looking forward to all the races that we will try to do here in the years to come.”
The Packers questioned Rodgers’ future when Gutekunst changed quarterback Jordan Love in the first round of last year.
They have Rodgers under contract until 2023, but he has no more guaranteed money in the $ 134 million extension that he signed in 2018. They got to the point where they could move on and start getting relief from the salary cap, although that number is only about $ 6 million this year.
Gutekunst did not say whether the team would restructure the Rodgers business, but that could not only add guaranteed money to current years, but also provide a minimum of wage cap space.
In other news from Monday’s sessions with Gutekunst and LaFleur:
• When asked whether Gutekunst still sees Love, who was inactive as a third-quarter defender for the entire past season, as the next quarterback in the Packers franchise, he did not commit: “I see Jordan as a very talented candidate that we are very excited about. I know it may not be the norm to have defenders sitting for a long time, but we certainly believe that …. It probably won’t be the first time that we choose a defender and try to develop him, because we just think he is a part of so important in the game … We look forward to continuing in that direction and getting you into some preseason games at the same time while we are competing for the championship with Aaron.
• LaFleur admitted that there was a communication error in the defensive playcall that led to Tom Brady’s 39-yard touchdown pass for Scotty Miller 1 second from the end in the first half of the game for the NFC title. A report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said LaFleur asked for coverage, but defensive coordinator Mike Pettine asked for another.
“This was just a total communication failure and, ultimately, whenever something like this happens, 100% falls directly on my shoulders,” said LaFleur. “I have to make sure that I am absolutely clear with our communication and that these mistakes cannot happen, especially when the stakes are so big, in particular, we pride ourselves on being great in situations. The main point is that all the calls happen I So, I don’t care who makes the call, it’s all my fault. In short, I’m responsible for every playcall, attack, defense, special team. And that every call goes through me. a call, I have the ability to do something about it. And that’s all I’m really going to say about it. “
Pettine was at the end of the contract and LaFleur dismissed him last week. Sources say he has interviewed or will interview Joe Barry (Chargers defensive pass coordinator), Chris Harris (Washington defenders coach) and Ejiro Evero (Rams safeties coach). Former Cowboys defensive coordinator Kris Richard was also contacted. At least one internal candidate, probably defensive coach Jerry Gray, will also be considered.
• LaFleur maintained his decision to kick a field basket in the fourth and 8-yard line goal with just over 2 minutes remaining against the Bucs.
“If I had to do that again, if it were the fourth goal on the 8-yard line, we would be kicking a field goal,” said LaFleur. “If it’s the fourth and fifth goal, I think we have a different discussion. You have to play the percentages. We did three shots, we didn’t win yards. That’s how it is. Some people will agree. Some people will disagree. In my heart, it is which I feel was the best decision for us. Unfortunately, it didn’t work. “
LaFleur said he should have better communicated to Rodgers what he would need on the third downhill to get going. Rodgers had a chance to climb and maybe get on the 5-yard line.
As for communication, LaFleur said he would consider transferring playcalling functions to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett if that meant better communication in all sectors, but added that he has no immediate plans to do so.