It’s part business for a publicly owned corporation, part festival for many of the corporation owners and at the 2021 Green Bay Packers Annual Stockholders meeting at Lambeau Field, it was also a day the Aaron Rodgers badly damaged fence finally got some mending. It may not be a permanent fix but all indications point to the three time NFL Most Valuable Player coming back to Lambeau at least for this fall.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported just after the 90 minute shareholder meeting concluded that Rodgers and the Packers were close to an agreement that would get him back on the field possibly for the first training camp practice on Wednesday. It was Schefter who detonated the bombshell story on the night of the NFL Draft in April that Rodgers had told many in his circle that he’d never play another down for the only NFL team he’s known. Through a variety of sources and one media session with ESPN’s Kenny Mayne on his final broadcast, Rodgers expressed frustration over the “culture” and “philosophy” of the organization. It went beyond contracts and money, more on how he felt he had been treated by the team with the drafting of Jordan Love and the releasing of other veteran players when communication between the front office and himself had broken down.
According to Schefter, Rodgers will have the third and final year of his existing contract in 2023 voided, with the Packers unable to use either the franchise or transition tag. Mechanisms will be put in place to address some of the quarterback’s issues with management and the situation between the two sides will be reviewed at the end of the 2021 season. The 2022 contract year is not coming off the table but the quarterback’s salary cap figure will rise to nearly 40 million dollars. He will not lose any income in 2021 which should give the team resources to extend a new deal to All Pro wide receiver Davante Adams who indicated over the weekend contract negotiations had broken down. The Packers could decide to part ways with Rodgers via a trade after 2021 if they believe they can turn over the reigns to Love who would be entering his third NFL season.
During the shareholders meeting and at a post-meeting session with the media, Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy gave no indication a resolution was imminent, but he remained hopeful. Same for General Manager Brian Gutekunst who told the audience, “We have been working tirelessly with Aaron and his representatives to resolve the issues he has raised and we’re hoping for a positive resolution.”
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst addresses stockholders
On a day when big numbers were discussed, like the pandemic created and precipitous drop in franchise revenue (506.9 million in 2020 to 371.1 in ’21), an even more stunning 150 million dollar drop in local revenue thanks to a nearly empty Lambeau Field all season, the one number on everyone’s mind was simply 12.
Other notes from today’s meeting, attended by 3900 shareholders with another 8000 through exclusive on-line access included some potential coming attractions to Lambeau Field.
Murphy said the Packers are one of three finalists to host the 2024 NFL draft and they’ve also put in a bid to host the Big 10 Championship Football game in future years outside 0f 2026 which is when the Wisconsin Badgers, Notre Dame Fighting Irish game has been re-scheduled. Murphy said the opening of the massive Resch Expo Center makes both events much more attractive to the NFL and the Big 10. A decision on holding the draft in Green Bay is expected later this fall.
The Packers will honor late General Manager Ted Thompson by putting his name on the facade inside the stadium during a ceremony at the home opener against the Lions on Monday, September 20. Murphy called it a fitting tribute for someone who isn’t appreciated nearly enough for what he did for the franchise. Thompson passed away in January of 2020 at the age of 68.
The Titletown District continues to excel with an office building, apartment and townhouse developments now seeking tenants.
Playing an international game is almost a certainty at some point with a 17 game regular season. Murphy said a rotation, based on division will set the schedule for games in London or other European venues meaning each team will play abroad one every eight years, preferably in a season where the Packers will have 9 road games.
Murphy supports the NFL’s covid and vaccination protocols announced late last week which strongly encourages, but does not mandate shots for all. Tier one front offices must be fully vaccinated but that won’t necessarily prevent a “breakthrough” as was the case with Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Frank Reich testing positive even though vaccinated. The league said if an outbreak occurs with unvaccinated players which results in a game being jeopardized, it won’t be rescheduled, it’ll be declared a forfeit and both teams would lose game checks.
One of 361,362 owners.
As much angst as there’s been with the Rodgers drama this off-season, Murphy was pleasantly surprised there wasn’t more booing against Rodgers or the team although a few catcalls were heard. When the executive committee walked toward the main stage on Lambeau’s turf, one fan barked “fire ’em all.” But for the most part, it was polite applause from the “owners” all day who received a welcome parting gift with the news the team’s quarterback was ready to don the green and gold at least one more year.
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