Aaron Rodgers reportedly needed commerce to San Francisco 49ers
MARK HOFFMAN / MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers wanted to end this off-season, and when the franchise was ready to honor his trade request, there was one goal he preferred the most.
The riot between the Packers’ front office and Rodgers became public shortly before the 2021 NFL Draft. It was revealed that the reigning NFL MVP was requesting a trade and the San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay’s third week opponent, were looking for a deal.
It turned out that the request from 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan created tension between the two teams. Green Bay’s head coach Matt LaFleur took issue with the suggestion that Rodgers could be traded, and Shanahan’s phone call apparently caused some tension between the two friends.
But according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, there’s a reason Shanahan made that call. Rodgers reportedly considered the 49ers his first choice for a trade, and San Francisco inquired because it learned that the future Hall of Fame quarterback really wanted to play for the team he grew up with.
It’s understandable why Rodgers targeted the 49ers as his best target. Shanahan’s offense is extremely quarterback-friendly, which allows Jimmy Garoppolo to be extremely successful. Behind a great offensive line with guns around him, Rodgers might have made San Francisco the team to beat the NFC.
But the 49ers didn’t have time to wait. When LaFleur made it clear that Rodgers was not moving, Shanahan moved on with his plans. San Francisco selected Trey Lance with the number 3 and set up the franchise for an exciting future with a dual threat quarterback.
As for Rodgers, he’s worked things out with the Packers for the 2021 season. But with his fate likely decided in 2022 and the 49ers off the table, the Denver Broncos stand out as the most likely landing spot for the all-pro quarterback next year.
