Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said he doesn’t demand a first-round pick in a potential trade sending quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, but wants to receive his “fair value” for the star player.
Gutekunst was asked at the NFL’s annual meeting Monday about the possibility of trading the league’s four-time MVP without getting a first-round pick in return.
“Yeah, I don’t think it’s a necessity,” Gutekunst told reporters. But at the same time, player value – he’s a top player, so it’s important to get top picks in exchange for top players. »
Gutekunst and Jets general manager Joe Douglas discussed a trade involving Rodgers, 39, who said on March 15 during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on SiriusXM and YouTube that he intended to play for the Jets in 2023.
Rodgers is still under contract with Green Bay, but he asked that the Packers “do the right thing.”
“There were productive conversations. It is obvious that we are not yet where we need to be. But I feel like we’re heading in the right place,” Douglas said, adding that he was “very optimistic.”
Gutekunst said “hopefully we can get a deal done quickly,” but he indicated he could afford to wait until May or June before making a trade, if necessary.
“Yes, I think so,” Gutekunst said. Again, not much is happening right now. So, again, I think it has to work for both parties and I think we’re all committed to finding a solution. It’s kind of in their backyard at the moment. We’ll see where that takes us. »
Gutekunst said he tried unsuccessfully to speak to Rodgers several times during the offseason before quarterback reps told him the star player was asking to be traded.
Rodgers and Gutekunst met shortly after the end of the season. According to Gutekunst, the two men had agreed to talk to each other again.
“The talks never happened,” Gutekunst said. So there came a time when we had to make decisions. We went through his representatives to try to talk to him (about) the direction we were going to take with our team. And at that time, they informed us that he wanted to transfer to the Jets. »
This account contradicts what Rodgers said during his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.
Rodgers had said he wished the Packers had told him early in the offseason that they intended to part ways with him. Rather, Rodgers claimed that after returning from solitary confinement last month, he “heard from many trusted people within the league – mostly players – that there were negotiations going on.” .
“The Packers would love to move forward,” Rodgers said. They let me know in a few words. They let other people know it more directly. »
Gutekunst countered that he would have liked to have discussions with Rodgers about how the veteran quarterback could have been part of the Packers’ plans.
“Since we were unable to reach him, I think at that point I had to do my job and understand that a trade was possible and see who was interested,” Gutekunst said.
A Rodgers trade would pave the way for 2020 first-round pick Jordan Love to take the starting quarterback spot in Green Bay.
Gutekunst was asked if there was any scenario where Rodgers would play another game for the Packers.
“I think right now all the options are on the table. It’s not going in that direction, and we are hopeful that we can make this exchange and achieve our ends. But he has already come back in certain circumstances where he was maybe not very happy with everything that was going on and he played very well. So we’ll see how it all plays out.
“I think things are going in the right direction for everyone to benefit from it. »
