Matt LaFleur Confuses People With Quote About Aaron Rodgers
Last week, we discussed how Aaron Rodgers reacted to the news that the Packers traded up to pick Jordan Love in the first round -- he poured four fingers of tequila, resigned himself to the idea that he will probably eventually play quarterback for a team other than Green Bay, and called Love to develop a relationship.
On Sunday, Packers coach Matt LaFleur spoke to reporters and had a quote about Rodgers that confused a lot of people. "Right now, most importantly, Aaron's our quarterback and I see him here for a really long time," LaFleur said, via NFL.com. "And however long that is, I don't think anybody knows. Nothing's guaranteed in this league but I feel so lucky to be able to work with him on a daily basis. I don't see that changing for a really long time."
Right now. Nothing's guaranteed. Don't see. If this were a game of Texas Hold 'Em you'd note that LaFleur has a number of outs. The NFL can mean the acronym Not For Long, and under that umbrella "really long time" means the next 2-3 years.
The fascinating hypothetical is if Rodgers finds himself wanting out of Green Bay next offseason. I'm a Packers fan and didn't hate the Love pick as much as many fans and media members because I think it will light a fire under Rodgers and succession planning is a hallmark of successful organizations. Even if I were a neutral observer, though, the fact that there is $31.6 million in dead cap if the Packers trade or release Rodgers before the 2021 season means that's not going to happen.
The question is the 2022 season, where there would be $17.2 million in dead cap, and that's going to come down to how well Rodgers plays the next two seasons and how Packers brass perceives the development of Love to be going.
LaFleur and Rodgers may well wind up at odds for 2021, because if Rodgers is sensitive to the fact that the Packers will eventually move on for him and wants to turn the tables I believe he'll find himself in a situation where he doesn't get his way.