The Packers quarterback has divided the Packer faithful.
With reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers not at OTAs and not expected to be at mandatory minicamp on Tuesday amid his feud with the Packers, Green Bay president Mark Murphy says that the situation has "divided [the Packers] fan base."
Fielding questions from fans in his monthly column on the team's website, Murphy replied to a fan offering a compliment for the job he's done while offering a small bit of insight to the situation with Rodgers:
The situation we face with Aaron Rodgers has divided our fan base. The emails and letters that I've received reflect this fact. As I wrote here last month, we remain committed to resolving things with Aaron and want him to be our quarterback in 2021 and beyond. We are working to resolve the situation and realize that the less both sides say publicly, the better.
MORE: Everything you need to know about the rift between Rodgers, Packers
What's really noteworthy, is that Murphy offered a vote of confidence for GM Brian Gutekunst, with whom Rodgers reportedly has a beef. Murphy writes:
… I must tell you that I have tremendous confidence in Brian Gutekunst. In his relatively short tenure as our GM, he has completely turned around the fortunes of our team. He has put together a talented team (last year we had the most players voted to the Pro Bowl) that has a 28-8 record over the last two years, after consecutive losing seasons in 2017 and 2018, and has played in back-to-back NFC Championship games. Moreover, he has a great working relationship with Head Coach Matt LaFleur. He and EVP/director of football operations Russ Ball have managed our salary cap smartly and have us well positioned for the future.
The feud between Rodgers and the Pack stems from a seeming lack of respect or a contract issue or something that no one seems really certain about. Rodgers wasn't at OTAs — along with his wide receiver corps — so the standoff between both sides continues.
While veteran players missing OTAs usually isn't a big deal, there's likely something more with Rodgers sitting out — Rodgers' status for mandatory minicamp is "in doubt" according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
While the status of #Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is in doubt for the team’s mandatory minicamp this week, it sounds like that’ll be the only issue to be resolved. His WRs who did not show for OTAs, including star Davante Adams, are either in town or expected in town.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 7, 2021
Wherever the divide may be, it doesn't seem as though the gap will be bridged between Rodgers, the Packers and the fans any time soon.
