Getty Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes
Without a first-round selection after acquiring Orlando Brown Jr. from the Ravens, the Kansas City Chiefs kept a low-profile on opening night of the 2021 NFL Draft. However, the same couldn’t be said for some other clubs across the league.
In perhaps the biggest league storyline since Tom Brady’s departure from New England last offseason, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers have now reached a crossroads. So much so that the three-time MVP quarterback is “so disgruntled” that he has “told someone within the organization that he does not want to return to the team,” according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Thursday, April 29.
Shortly after the bombshell report began to penetrate the football world on television and social media, a number of Chiefs stars took to Twitter with some immediate thoughts.
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Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones & Tyreek Hill Chime In
The development of Rodgers’ unhappiness with Packers management was hardly the first bit of news to rock NFL Twitter on Thursday — see Tim Tebow attempting a return to the Jacksonville Jaguars as a tight end after eight seasons away — but it was by far the largest.
About five minutes after Schefter’s initial tweet, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tweeted, “Well i see draft weekend is going to be pretty interesting…” with a pair of crying laughing emojis.
Well i see draft weekend is going to be pretty interesting…🤣🤣
Mahomes also replied to a separate but seemingly related tweet from defensive tackle Chris Jones, which read, “Love it here,” referring to Kansas City.
Wideout Tyreek Hill also shared in the love for Chiefs Kingdom with a “Me three” while former All-Pro right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, who was released on March 11, joking followed up with “Me fo….dang” and a crying face emoji.
Broncos Headline Rodgers’ 3-Team ‘Wish List’
With the Packers superstar headed toward a staredown with his front office, a trade may be the only solution should Rodgers hold firm into the summer. Citing an “unimpeachable source” on Thursday, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported that “as of last night, Aaron Rodgers’ wish list was 49ers, Broncos, Raiders (not necessarily in that order).”
One report from former Broncos guard Mark Schlereth, now with Denver’s 104.3 The Fan, suggested that a trade was, “As close to a done deal as it can be” as of Thursday evening.
.@markschlereth on @1043TheFan NOW says #Broncos are not taking a QB in the #NFLDraft because they are close to trading for Aaron Rodgers per his sources. “As close to a done deal as it can be.”
However, answering questions following the draft’s first round, Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst repeatedly denied that Rodgers would be traded.
“Obviously he’s our quarterback, he’s our leader,” Gutekunst told reporters, via The Athletic. “We’ve been working through this for a little while now. And I just think it may take some time. But he’s the guy who makes this thing go. He gives us the best chance to win. … I do think he’ll play for us again.”
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Chris Licata is an NFL contributor covering the Kansas City Chiefs from enemy territory in Denver, Colorado. Follow him on Twitter @Chris__Licata or join the Heavy on Chiefs Facebook community for the latest out of Chiefs Kingdom!