Should Aaron Rodgers Be Involved in Packers Decision-Making?
By jasonperone
With the decision looming over the Green Bay Packers to name their new general manager, it's worth wondering how those discussions are going.
By now, we've heard that the team will hire a search firm, that they may hire a search firm, that Eliot Wolf, Brian Gutekunst and Russ Ball are all strong internal candidates and that the new GM may or may not have a scouting background.
Mark Murphy will make the final call on who gets the nod but how much input will others have around the organization? Specifically, how much input will Aaron Rodgers have?
It's never a good idea to let players make personnel decisions and that's not what I'm asking here. We all remember how Brett Favre lobbied, through the media, for the team to re-sign certain players and to sign outside free agents.
Had the Packers listened to him, they would have re-signed Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera and traded enough to put Randy Moss in a Packers uniform.
Some will still argue all or some of those things should have happened way back when, but the team couldn't let even their top star and face of the franchise influence those very important decisions.
But to ask their input is another thing and hopefully that's what they're doing in Rodgers' case. Rodgers has openly lobbied for players to be re-signed in the past. Some have, some haven't.
During his time as general manager, Ted Thompson may have taken input from others, including the quarterback, but his decisions were always seemingly his own.
Rodgers is 34 years old and likely firmly grasping the finite amount of time that he'll be playing football for a living. He hasn't made any secret about the fact that he wants to win and bring another championship to Green Bay before he hangs 'em up.
While he may not be as vocal as some past players have been and are now, Rodgers is surely watching closely at what the Packers will do to fill the current coaching and player vacancies.
A few of those will directly impact Rodgers and those would be who the Packers hire as their new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Edgar Bennett was asked to step down as offensive coordinator and is reportedly mulling his future.
Alex Van Pelt's contract ended following the end of this past season and he reportedly told the Packers he would not immediately look to return as quarterbacks coach. Van Pelt will likely seek out and consider roles with other teams, including offensive coordinator opportunities.
The Packers have hired both inside and outside candidates in the past but in the cases of Bennett and Van Pelt, no internal candidates have been mentioned much in the media. Two names that have surfaced are former New York Giants head coach and former Packers quarterbacks coach Ben McAdoo and former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin.
Might Rodgers have a strong opinion about one or both of those names as possible returns to Green Bay? He may not have the final say, but to think that his opinion isn't gathered or doesn't carry any weight would be foolish.
On the player personnel side of things, the Packers have re-signed one of Rodgers top weapons in receiver Davante Adams. But there's still the question of whether the team will keep Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb under their current contract numbers or ask one or both to restructure.
Rodgers has had a lot of past success with both Nelson and Cobb and carries a good chemistry with them as well. Would the Packers keep one or both to appease the quarterback, who has said that both are very valuable members of the offense?
These are just a few current decisions that the Packers may involve Rodgers in. But the question is: Should Rodgers be consulted when it comes to rounding out the offensive coaching staff or with regards to team needs on the offensive side of the ball?
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Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts. You can follow him on Twitter here
Comments (50)
Rustyweezee
January 05, 2018 at 06:20 am
No. I doubt he thinks he should be involved, either. He was around when Favre tried to run personnel decisions, right in the room with Favre. I doubt he thinks that played out well for Favre.
Razer
January 05, 2018 at 07:15 am
So true - enough said.
jeremyjjbrown
January 05, 2018 at 07:57 am
I agree that he doesn't expect to be one of the deciders. But, I expect Rodgers is consulted on many aspects regarding the team and that management takes his input with legitimate consideration, appropriately weighted against the many other concerns.
NickPerry
January 05, 2018 at 06:30 am
Does he have time for consultation between all of his T.V. Commercials?
Seriously though depending on the player or coach I suppose Rodgers could be asked for his input, but IMO that's a bit of a slippery slope. I mean does anyone really think Rodgers wouldn't want Nelson or Cobb back for 2018 and would say so if asked? I'm also quite sure he wanted Lang back in 2017 and didn't want to see Sitton cut either.
Let him focus on being the best QB on the planet and the GET him the HELP he NEEDS!
HankScorpio
January 05, 2018 at 06:41 am
I could not agree more about it being a slippery slope. Mike Sherman pushed Favre down that slope and turned him into a coach-killing diva. Favre played for 4 coaches in his last 6 years in the league. MM was the only 1 of the 4 that was not fired for his troubles. Sherman, Mangini and Childress were not as fortunate. Only Mangini got another shot...and that was with Cleveland so I'm not sure that counts as a shot.
If anyone in the organization puts the idea in Rodgers' head that he is anything other than the QB, it will be the beginning of the end with failure pre-determined.
Bearmeat
January 05, 2018 at 06:46 am
Yep. Agreed. Rodgers is a player and not a coach or personnel evaluator. If you are Murphy, our new GM or McCarthy, you can't let those two different roles get confused - even if the person you're working with is a superstar and a friend. It's about the business of winning and nothing else.
Now, asking his opinion on a few select things that management is unsure of which way to go? Ok. As long as it is only when asked.
RCPackerFan
January 05, 2018 at 06:33 am
Should Rodgers have an opinion and tell McCarthy what he wants? Absolutely.
Should Rodgers be in charge and tell the coaches what needs to be done. No.
There is kind of a fine line there. Once the player has to much control, that's when situations like what happened to Favre happens. But I think its a good idea that Rodgers is involved in letting the coaches know what he wants to be the best player he can be.
Bearmeat
January 05, 2018 at 06:51 am
Rodgers is also much smarter than Favre, and frankly, I think he's a more secure person psychologically too. Brett, regardless of how many times he said "I don't have anything to prove," DID play as if he did have something to prove once Irv died. And it cost his teams in the playoffs from 2003 forward. His focus wasn't where it needed to be and he choked.
I'm not saying that Rodgers doesn't have a big ego. He does. And that is dangerous in this situation. Players should not be running the team. Ever. But that said, IMO ARod is still far more likely than BF to be able to step back from his own desires and see the bigger picture.
RCPackerFan
January 05, 2018 at 07:00 am
Yeah, I think Rodgers learned a lot from the Favre situation.
And also McCarthy has a really good grasp on Rodgers, where Sherman had really no control over Favre.
I agree with you that I think Rodgers can step back and see the bigger picture.
Thats why I think getting his input is a huge thing. It would be stupid of the upper management not to listen to his opinion.
croatpackfan
January 05, 2018 at 07:48 am
I can not believe you are serious. I think Mike McCarthy knows what Aaron preferences are - regarding players, coaches, support people... And I'm sure he will try to pick what will give some level of pleasure to his main player. Butz it would be HUGE, I mean very, very huge, mistake if Aaron will be asked at any moment for input.
Let say this: "Aaron we need to restructure Jordy contract and Randall contract. Will you accept less money if they refuse restructure?
Tricky isn't it?
Why he should? But if he say NO and both will be informed about how that will influence on team's chemistry? If he say YES how that will influence him?
There are many reasons why person is placed higher in hierarchy (larger salary, larger responsibility) and others are not that high... There are reasons why you should never ever ask your subordinate for opinion to make your decision. If you were not clevber enough to inform yourself on time what is your subordinate preferences, the time when you are making decision is never ever good time!
RCPackerFan
January 05, 2018 at 08:09 am
Can't believe I'm serious about what?
They have exit interviews every year with almost every player. McCarthy was talking about Clinton-Dix and his interview yesterday and what he got out of it.
Why wouldn't he listen to what Rodgers had to say? And asked him of his opinions on what needs to happen?
I'm not talking about making personnel changes or having final say in who gets hired fired or whatever. But it would be stupid to not listen to what he thinks would help him and the team.
croatpackfan
January 05, 2018 at 03:05 pm
"Can't believe I'm serious about what?"
About asking Aatron to give his view regarding coiaching staff...
I said that I'm sure "Mike McCarthy knows what Aaron preferences are - regarding players, coaches, support people... And I'm sure he will try to pick what will give some level of pleasure to his main player."
So, there is no need to ask Aaron specific questions...
D.D.Driver
January 05, 2018 at 07:41 am
Funny. I think Favre's problem was that he *did* play like he had nothing to prove. The epicly bad performances no longer really bothered him. The Packers would be getting their ass beat by the Vikings at Lambeau in the playoffs, and Favre would be laughing at his own mistakes. When Favre starting buying into the myth of his own legend, everything went down hill.
marpag1
January 05, 2018 at 06:33 am
Hell no.
Just my opinion, of course.
cuervo
January 05, 2018 at 06:40 am
"Should Rodgers be consulted when it comes to rounding out the offensive coaching staff or with regards to team needs on the offensive side of the ball?"
That question is just plain silly.
He's the QB, nothing more....let's not try and turn him into Farve, one person like that is enough.
Savage57
January 05, 2018 at 06:57 am
Yet he finds himself in much the same position Favre did, with aging or lesser talent around him and few players on the horizon to replace them.
The whole 'remake the organization' CF is the death knell for AR's hopes to secure one more ring. There's way too much craziness and dysfunction associated with it, and decisions are shaping up to be political knee-jerks and reactions instead of measured execution of a well thought out plan.
They're handling it with the same aplomb and efficiency as they did the Favre-Rodgers succession.
cuervo
January 05, 2018 at 08:43 am
"They're handling it with the same aplomb and efficiency as they did the Favre-Rodgers succession."
If memory serves me correctly (and it does), that entire fiasco was brought on by no other than Mr. Insecure himself, Brett Farve. Management simply did what they had to, and the idiot fans were too stupid to realize it as they had been turned into Farve zombies, beliveing he was just a good 'ole country hick that loved playing football. In reality he was an insecure individual with a huge Napoleon complex.
We've been lucky (I guess), that there has been stability for over decade....that is good, and it can also be bad when the stability leads to complacency, which is what has occured. they are trying to change it....which is a plus. Whether it works or not, we'll see.
Houndog
January 05, 2018 at 07:11 am
If the choice in an in-house guy I'd think they'd want one that A-Rod gets along with, a lot has been said about personalities and cohesiveness regarding that. Other that that "no', he shouldn't be involved, it's a management position, not personnel.
On another note, has anyone else noticed how the only one of the three 'Personnel Guys' we haven't heard of having interviews scheduled elsewhere is Wolf? Hmmm?
Are we looking at some creative titles being conjured up to keep him and Ball?
Didn't know much about Ball until I read this:
http://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2017/05/29/wis-0530-...
It might change some opinions
Razer
January 05, 2018 at 07:41 am
Good article on Russ Ball. People discount him because he didn't play pro ball and doesn't spend his days travelling between college stadiums. Ball has the smarts and ethic to be a very good GM and keep this franchise strong. Let's not drop the Ball.
RCPackerFan
January 05, 2018 at 09:51 am
The playing ball part I could careless. Many front office people never played before.
My only question with Ball is his talent evaluation of players. If a GM doesn't have the skills to properly evaluate talent then has to rely on those around him to do that job. What happens if and when they leave? Packers already lost one of their top scouting guys in Highsmith. If they lost Wolf and/or Gutekunst the room gets that much thinner. Gutekunst is one of the top people for the Texans GM job.
Most GM's in the league have a scouting background.
I have read some really good things about Ball. But that is one of the biggest reasons why I lean towards Wolf or Gutekunst because they have that scouting background.
Now Ball could be a very good GM. Wolf or Gutekunst could be really bad ones. I have no idea. Its just how I feel.
Big_Mel_75
January 05, 2018 at 09:03 am
Anybody else scared that if Ball gets the GM job and the other two leave, TT is head of scouting and drafting... So we are basically the same as before just in different positions. I really hope I'm wrong and if Ball gets the job that he will have his scouts to listen to.
dobber
January 05, 2018 at 09:17 am
I'm just as scared that if Wolf or Gutekunst gets the job that they were the ones powering TTs bad decisions over the last several years.
The only way we can find out about any of these guys is to hire someone and let the roller-coaster leave the station.
RCPackerFan
January 05, 2018 at 09:54 am
From things i have heard, Thompson was completely in charge.
Aaron Nagler posted this this morning. This was from January 9th, 2016.
http://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/lack-of-in-season-roster-move...
"It's no secret that members of the Packers' personnel department have griped for years that their boss is almost never willing to make a move. For years, scouts across the league have told me that.
Now comes word that McCarthy's level of frustration has intensified because Thompson is so set in his ways and refuses to take a chance."
I think that is pretty telling.
Houndog
January 05, 2018 at 12:24 pm
Great post RC,
The part that worries me is that we've all heard before what the article you referenced has said.
And while the article I referenced might help to ease some concerns about Ball, it doesn't answer the question as to why other teams in the past few years have been after everyone in the GB front office EXCEPT Ball.
And then there's the part of Ball being Ted's right hand man, that's a scary thought if he has the same attitude towards "my guys", i.e. HIS draft picks, and HIS UDFAs!
And as I mentioned earlier, I can't help wondering why we haven't seen the 'Wolf crush' this year either.
Damn, I hate suspense!
NickPerry
January 06, 2018 at 04:40 am
Everything I've read suggests Ball is just as opposed, maybe more so to FA as Thompson was/is.
This WHOLE THING stinks to the high heavens, like it was all predetermined a long time ago. Murphy said a few years ago the Packers had a succession plan in place, the way this is going I'd say the plan is in motion.
I have a horrible feeling we'll look back on this as THE moment the Packers began to turn back into the Packers of the 70's. Christ McCarthy wants to quit if Ball is named GM. Rodgers doesn't want him in the position. WTF are you doing Murphy!!!!!
But hey, the Packers are making money hand over fist on the Giant Slide and other tourist type things at 'Title Town".
Roadrunner23
January 05, 2018 at 07:23 am
He's got him some Danica Patrick on his mind right now.
Let him have his fun, let Murphy and Co. do what they are getting paid millions to do.
croatpackfan
January 05, 2018 at 07:32 am
NO. NO! And once again NO!!!! NEVER EVER!
D.D.Driver
January 05, 2018 at 07:35 am
Before answering that question, read the ESPN story about Brady and Belichick:
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/hotread180105/beginning-end-new-eng...
No. Rodgers should play QB.
But after reading that article... how great would Belichick be as the next Packer GM?
dobber
January 05, 2018 at 09:18 am
I don't think BB will have another job where he's anything less than both HC and GM.
Handsback
January 05, 2018 at 07:47 am
No and remember this QB coach will work with all the QBs like BH who I wonder if he received a minute of coaching time before AR went down.
If he did...it sure didn't look like it!
Since'61
January 05, 2018 at 08:26 am
Aaron should not be involved in the process for hiring the OC, DC or any other coaches. He should be kept informed but there is no need to have him involved. He is a QB, a player and a great one but his number one priority should be for him to get ready to play in 2018. Let him heal up and get ready to go. With Rodger's knowledge of the offense, his pre and post snap reads, he is like an OC on the field anyway.
If anything Rodgers has probably let MM know who or what type of OC coach or QB coach he does not want.
Players play and coaches coach. Leave it at that. Thanks, Since '61
Tundraboy
January 05, 2018 at 01:24 pm
"Players play and coaches coach."
That applies to MM as well. Let Murphy pick the GM, and the GM, the DC. Input is fine, they would be crazy not to ask for Rodgers, and MM views, but decisions have to rest with those people.
Bure9620
January 05, 2018 at 08:53 am
No
al bundy
January 05, 2018 at 08:54 am
My two cents, worth a penny now, I think he weilds a lot of influence. Often he would comment on Janis not running the correct routes in practice and quite frankly is probably the reason janis has been invisible on this offense. He recently was politicking for them to keep adams and boom they give the farm away to him.
No when it comes to on field offensive players he has a big voice. If he dont like you your not playing
dobber
January 05, 2018 at 09:11 am
Usually, I say "no" on the inmates running the asylum. I don't think #12 should be choosing his coaches or choosing management (read: GM). I agree that the QB should be the QB...that's what he's paid handsomely to do.
But in many fields, candidates for positions often meet with the rank-and-file to talk about vision, plans, style, etc. My field--academia--is like this. When we hire a new Dean or Provost or Chair, those people come in and meet with the decision-makers, but they spend some time talking to people like me (the grunts...the profs) and our impressions are solicited by the decision-makers. That doesn't mean that our desires are deal-makers because there's a lot of behind the scenes stuff we don't view as being as important as things that management values. I would think that the OC and QB coach, in particular, should be at least talking to #12 and that MM should be thinking about #12s impressions as he makes his decisions...but #12 shouldn't be picking the coach.
4zone
January 05, 2018 at 09:48 am
After the job Van Pelt did with Hundley, I doubt he will get an OC offering anywhere.
4zone
January 05, 2018 at 09:51 am
Slow day in the office there Jason? Waiting for the next bombshell to drop I guess.
jasonperone
January 06, 2018 at 12:03 am
And there it is. Less than a week into the offseason and after I said “save it” to this exact type of crap. Slow day? Bruh, it’s never been faster around these parts. Get your speed calibrated. This ain’t some piece about a sledding hill.
Point-Packer
January 05, 2018 at 10:07 am
Yes. He's the reason Green Bay is relevant, not Mike McCarthy (clearly). At least on the offensive side of the ball, find people #12 approves of and is comfortable with.
Cartwright
January 05, 2018 at 10:42 am
We all have our ego's and if Aaron wasn't at least asked for his input he would feel miffed. Make him happy and continue to strive to maintain good player relations. He's not a dumb jock, in fact, he's the grunt who runs this team, his input, whatever it is has merit and should be taken into account.
dobber
January 05, 2018 at 11:06 am
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/01/vikings-deny-packers-george-paton
An interesting development. Can't say I'm all that surprised...Packers have done it, too.
Ryan Graham
January 05, 2018 at 12:10 pm
I would think this is mainly due to the fact that the organization's focus should be centered around the playoffs. no need to invite distraction at any level, no big deal to me
Bure9620
January 05, 2018 at 11:27 am
Aaron Rodgers input starts and stops at LOS with "RPO" (I am sick of this term, it makes me want to kick my own ass for using it) checks, tempo and hard counts.
WKUPackFan
January 05, 2018 at 11:37 am
I think that Doug Niemczynski should be involved. He's an expert in player evaluation, as he tells us in his hundreds of comments. Better yet, name Doug as the GM, make Finwiz one of his assistants, and we're good to go.
Bure9620
January 05, 2018 at 11:44 am
I nominate myself as the assistant offensive non-quality control coordinator.
Finwiz
January 05, 2018 at 12:50 pm
Tie half my brain behind my back just to make it fair, and I'll still run proverbial, "Intellectual circles" around you!
Thanks for positive comments.
WKUPackFan
January 05, 2018 at 02:16 pm
It is absolutely shocking that you are a Rush Limbaugh sycophant. No one could ever have guessed that.
Coach Cleve Steamer
January 05, 2018 at 04:12 pm
As long as Aaron Rodgers goes through his reads, manages the clock, and keeps his pad levels in line I would think he should be consulted. Aaron has been in this organization longer than most of these office boys we’re discussing.
4thand1
January 05, 2018 at 05:14 pm
I believe a lot of the decisions that were just made had a lot to do with AR. I think the Packer brass got wind that AR wasn't happy and he might look for a way out. If he hinted to be traded if things didn't change, the whole organization would take a giant shit in their pants. He wants to play QB, and wants a supporting cast to help. Up until now, he hasn't got shit. I think I got a whiff of something on Lombardi Ave a few days ago.
Free agent
January 05, 2018 at 07:04 pm
Just read an article about MM and Ball don’t get along to well. MM has complained to Ball about the lack of quality free agents signed to help the team. Jason Wilde confirmed this on his podcast. Also, he said Aaron Rodgers doesn’t want Ball as GM. Sounds like Ball is a TT clone. Not good, so much for change.