The risk of getting ‘blindsided’ in Aaron Rodgers’ game of chicken

LAS VEGAS — By passing on his option to declare independence from the Packers, Aaron Rodgers is taking the NFL’s most dramatic offseason showdown into crunch time.

It was no surprise in early June when the league’s reigning MVP failed to report for Green Bay’s mandatory minicamp and officially became a holdout. There was some suspense Friday, the NFL’s deadline day for players to opt-out of the 2021 season for COVID-19 reasons, and Rodgers had millions of financial reasons to do so.

While the 37-year-old quarterback declined to opt-out, it does not mean he’s all-in on a return to the Packers. What it means is Rodgers has one fewer card to play as the game of chicken — or double jeopardy — continues.

“Rodgers is probably staying put,” DraftKings sportsbook director John Avello said. “If he leaves the team, the team is going to be a disaster. The Packers are going to keep him and try to keep him happy.”

As the sports world turns, you can bet on it. The team Rodgers plays for this season is a prop bet at Circa Sports, where oddsmakers favor his return to the Packers. For which team will Rodgers play his next regular-season snap? Green Bay is the -140 favorite, with the Denver Broncos as the 7/2 second choice.

Nevada gaming regulators were reluctant to approve the Rodgers prop, an information-based wager that’s vulnerable to breaking news and inside info, but it was cleared for action for Circa’s sportsbook in Colorado.

The smart money is on Aaron Rodgers staying with the Packers now.
The smart money is on Aaron Rodgers staying with the Packers now.
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On April 29, the first day of the NFL Draft, reports surfaced about Rodgers’ displeasure with the Packers’ organization and his wish to be traded. Rumors swirled about a potential deal that would send Rodgers to Denver. More than two months later, the situation still is ripe for rampant speculation.

Circa Sports operations manager Jeff Benson said the Broncos have attracted the most money on the prop, largely due to home-team bias in Colorado.

“Denver would seem to be the logical choice if he doesn’t go back to Green Bay, and that’s where we’ve seen a lot of the betting interest so far,” Benson said.

DraftKings opened a similar prop on May 3 — and posted the Packers as -125 favorites to retain Rodgers — but recently took it off the board to avoid exposure.

“If something is going to happen, we’re probably going to get caught blindsided,” Avello said.

The Broncos make sense as a landing spot for Rodgers because Denver has no established starting quarterback, and the Packers, who compete in the NFC North, would probably prefer to send Rodgers to an AFC team. Two teams in the NFC West, the 49ers and Rams, reportedly inquired with the Packers about Rodgers’ availability prior to the draft and were rebuffed.

Green Bay team president Mark Murphy and general manager Brian Gutekunst continue to say they have no intention of trading Rodgers.

“Why would you want to do that? You hold all the cards,” said VSiN analyst Michael Lombardi, a former NFL executive. “Rodgers holds no cards.”

A COVID-19 opt-out was a card for Rodgers. That move would have allowed Rodgers to keep $11.5 million in signing bonus money and a $6.8 million roster bonus, so Rodgers could have bailed on Green Bay without forfeiting $18.3 million. He can continue to push for a trade or eventually kiss and make up with Packers management. Rodgers does not face stiffer financial penalties in the form of fines until July 27, when training camp kicks off.

Tom Brady was a free agent last year when he left New England for Tampa Bay. Rodgers and Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who reportedly wanted out of Seattle this year, are under contract and unable to dictate their next move.

“They all want to be James Harden and this isn’t the NBA,” Lombardi said in reference to Harden essentially forcing a trade from Houston to Brooklyn in January.

“At 38, does Rodgers really want to waste a year? I would suspect he comes back. He’ll spin it, and the media is stupid enough to let him spin it.”

DraftKings opened the Packers’ regular-season win total at 10.5 before pulling it off the board.

Green Bay went 13-3 last season before losing to Brady and the Buccaneers in the NFC title game. Rodgers completed a league-high 70.7% of his passes for 4,299 yards and 48 touchdowns with five interceptions.

If the Packers go into the 2021 season without Rodgers and start Jordan Love, who did not play as a rookie, Lombardi said he would make Green Bay’s win total 6.5 or 7 for the new 17-game schedule.

On the Circa prop board below the Packers and Broncos, five teams (Colts, Dolphins, 49ers, Raiders and Saints) are each listed at 12/1 odds. Washington is 15/1 and New England 26/1, but the reality is Rodgers playing anywhere other than Green Bay or Denver is a long shot.

“When you look at it, obviously the Packers have been adamant they are not going to trade Rodgers,” Benson said. “It makes sense for Green Bay to be the short favorite, and maybe you have a discounted price on the favorite. There’s a very good chance he goes back there.”

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