As the Aaron Rodgers trade remains unfinished it’s becoming more and more evident that the quarterbacks’ persona and approach seem to be playing a major role in the deal. Last week reports surfaced that Rodgers’ “90% retired” comments spooked Jets owner Woody Johnson.
Days later one of Rodger’s closest friends, David Bakhtiari, spoke, albeit a bit lightheartedly, on Rodgers. “If it ain’t one thing, it’s another with (Rodgers). Bakhtiari said on “Bussin’ With The Boys.” “Kudos to him. He’s definitely a guy who likes being talked about. Very mysterious. I think he kind of likes that. He is a Jet now, so it’s the Jets’ problem.”
On his popular Fox Sports show “The Herd,” Colin Cowherd focused on what he believes to be the real issue at hand, Aaron Rodgers’ priorities.
“Aaron Rodgers at this point in his career is committed to having leverage and power and winning the chess match more than he is winning playoff games. How do I know? Because he’s smart and he’s talented and he’s made decisions which hinder one and help the other.” Cowherd said.
“Let’s be honest. In Green Bay he wasn’t winning playoff games at the end, but he had power. It got him a huge contract and then eventually got him out of town. But you will get in your life what matters to you, and Aaron has made multiple choices that the money and the leverage and the final say is the most important thing. Aaron’s too smart to think ‘yeah I can not show up in the off-season and that’s really going to help rookie receivers.’ He knew it was going to hurt the rookie receivers, but he wanted the power and leverage to not allow the Packers to control his offseason.
Aaron’s smart enough to know if you take the most money it’s going to limit your roster. He’s a smart cat. He went to Cal. We know he’s bright. So you get what you want. Aaron now is more concerned with winning the chess match, having leverage control and power…and that’s fine. But Aaron knows he could solve this tomorrow with a press release. I’m in two years minimum hopefully three. Deals done. That’s what the Jets are waiting for…Then they can get on their way and get him in camp, know exactly what to draft but that’s not the most important thing to Aaron right now. Winning the chess match, having control and power is. A lot of people are that way. I would prefer my quarterbacks aren’t.”
Cowherd is no stranger to criticism of Rodgers. Although the popular host will be the first to give the quarterback his due in terms of talent, he’s also more than willing to call into question his behavior and approach. While it might be easy to write this off as just another Cowherd rant, it’s hard to disagree with him on this one.
