Does Green Bay Packers President Mark Murphy Really Want Aaron Rodgers Back?
Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy has made some interesting comments about the Aaron Rodgers' ... [+] drama in recent days. Getty Images  Mark Murphy was at the center of the Brett Favre drama back in the wild and wacky summer of 2008. Murphy, the Green Bay Packers president since Dec., 2007, was on the job just six months when Favre announced he wanted back in after retiring. Murphy traveled to Mississippi in July, 2008, met with Favre and offered the Hall of Fame quarterback $20 million to stay retired. Of course, that never happened. Favre chose to keep playing, but the Packers also remained resolute in their commitment to move forward with Aaron Rodgers. So on Aug. 7, 2008, Green Bay traded Favre to the New York Jets. Murphy saw first-hand just how well that changing of the guard worked out. After the Packers went just 6-10 under Rodgers in 2008, Green Bay turned a corner in 2009, then won the Super Bowl in 2010. Or perhaps Murphy  like many others in Wisconsin  is ready for the Jordan Love-era to begin. Rodgers is embroiled in his own battle with the Packers today and has let it be known he doesnt want to play in Green Bay again. The Packers management team has continually said they want Rodgers back and wont trade him. Twice in the last 10 days, though, Murphy has poured gas on whats already an inferno. During his monthly column on the team website on June 5, Murphy said:  The situation we face with Aaron Rodgers has divided our fan base. The emails and letters that Ive 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.  Many viewed Murphys divided our fan base comment as a shot at Rodgers. Murphy also didn't heed his own advice when he said, the less both sides say publicly, the better.  Less than a week later, during an event being held at Lambeau Field, Murphy referred to Rodgers as a complicated fella.  Murphy referenced conversations he had with former general manager Ted Thompson  who passed away in January  about the challenges of dealing with Rodgers. I'm often reminded though ... of Ted Thompson, as most of you know, just a great general manager, passed away (earlier this year), Murphy said, according to NBC 26 in Green Bay. (Thompson) often talked about Aaron, that he's a ... and it wasn't just Aaron, a lot of different players. He would say, 'He's a complicated fella.' So, I'll just say that.  The fact Murphy is saying anything is somewhat surprising. The Packers have indicated they dont want to get in a public relations battle with Rodgers. And the disgruntled quarterback has said little himself, instead using his minions to spread the word of his unhappiness. The Packer brand has always been bigger than just one player. Favre experienced that 13 years ago. The same thing is happening to Rodgers now. Green Bay also discovered back in 2008 that life goes on after a Hall of Fame quarterback departs. And many in the building believe theyll continue to be highly successful in a post-Rodgers era. Jordan Love, the quarterback Green Bay traded up to select in the first round of the 2020 draft, has made significant strides. Love also counts just $2.8 million against the salary cap this year and $3.4 million in 2022, while Rodgers counts $37.2 million this year and $39.85 million in 2022. If the Packers trade Rodgers, theyre likely to receive at least four picks in the first two rounds of the next two drafts  and perhaps players, as well. The combination of additional top draft picks, players and enormous salary cap space would help Green Bay add to whats already an outstanding roster. The key to any of that working out, though, is Love. If he plays well, the Packers will be set up for another decade of success. If he struggles, a lot of people will be out of jobs. Murphys recent comments  ones that have poked the bear named Rodgers  seem to indicate he believes Green Bays future will be just fine with Love.