Clayton: Are Packers bracing for life without Rodgers?

Some people around the NFL are starting to get the idea that Green Bay Packers management might be trying to brace for the thought of not having Aaron Rodgers.

A week ago Friday, Packers president Mark Murphy said Rodgers’ stand on not wanting to be a Packer has divided the Packers fans. That’s understandable. Green Bay is a 100,000-person community that lives and dies for the success of the Packers. A Bleacher Report reporter visited Green Bay and found the splits in the bars and restaurants.

Then on Friday, Murphy really came out with a stunning statement. He requoted the late general manager Ted Thompson said about Rodgers earlier in his career. Thompson said that Rodgers was a complicated fella. While most likely true, it unusual for a team boss to come out with a statement like that. Complicated fella makes it sounds as though Rodgers can be a problem.

Sure, he struggled with former Packers coach Mike McCarthy before he was fired. Rodgers does want things done his way. But he’s a Hall of Fame quarterback who has been to five NFL championship games and has won one Super Bowl. Rodgers was naturally upset when the Packers traded up last year to draft quarterback Jordan Love. He was upset that they didn’t add any receivers last year. He didn’t like the idea that Packers would draft a quarterback and not communicate with him.

There are two other interesting quarterback situations to compare. The San Francisco 49ers kept Jimmy Garoppolo fully informed they were looking for a quarterback for the long-term future. They talked to him and advised his agent. The other situation is in Seattle. Russell Wilson spoke out against the offensive line and the number of times he’s been hit.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider waited months before they would even comment on the subject. They kept everything quiet, which was wise. Wilson didn’t say anything until last Thursday when he spoke for 30 minutes and said he wanted to stay a Seahawk and wanted to be in Seattle the rest of his career.

But with the Packers commenting on Rodgers, it makes you wonder if they trying to make Rodgers the bad guy. For teams like the Broncos, who could trade for him, it makes you wonder.