NFL News

[Futureshock]

I mean, what else is he to say? Still funny.


Brian Gutekunst: Packers’ goals don’t change no matter who plays quarterback

Posted by Michael David Smith on April 25, 2023, 12:08 PM EDT

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Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst says trading quarterback Aaron Rodgers and moving on to Jordan Love does not change how Green Bay views the 2023 season.

“The goals don’t change around here,” Gutekunst said. “It’s going to be the same goals we’ve always had, right? There’s one goal here every single year, no matter what.”

Gutekunst says the Packers believe they can and will win with Love.

“We’re really excited where Jordan could go,” Gutekunst said. “He needs to play, and having him sit another year, I think, would have really delayed kind of where we were going and what we’re trying to build.”

Gutekunst also noted that “we were 8-9 last year,” so it’s not like the Packers could have been content to stand pat and expect to win the Super Bowl. Rodgers did not play well last year, and the Packers believe they’ve now moved on from him at the right time as they attempt to build a Super Bowl winning with Love.

[Futureshock]

NFL players cannot make wagers on who gets drafted and where

Posted by Mike Florio on April 25, 2023, 11:51 AM EDT

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The scrambled odds for Will Levis as the first pick in the 2023 draft, coupled with the recent suspensions for violation of the gambling policy, caused one person connected to the broader NFL apparatus to ask a question this morning.

Can current NFL players place wagers on when players are drafted?

The answer is an emphatic no.

The gambling policy specifically prohibits all NFL personnel “from placing, soliciting, or facilitating any bet, whether directly or through a third party, on any NFL game, practice or other event (e.g., Draft or Combine).”

Chief NFL Spokesman Brian McCarthy elaborated on this position via email.

“Club and league personnel are prohibited from wagering on the Draft or sharing with media members and others information on prospect selections and trades not yet announced,” McCarthy said. “Under no circumstances may NFL Personnel bet on the Draft, whether themselves or through a third party. NFL Personnel are prohibited from using, sharing, or disclosing non-public information — including Draft plans or strategy, selection trades, potential Draft selections, or actual Draft selections prior to their on-air announcement — for any gambling purpose.”

So it’s not just about making bets, it’s about sharing information. Players who might get a head’s up about a team’s plan must keep that in mind before sending a text to a friend who could then use that knowledge to win a wager.

Bottom line? The draft and everything about it is no different than a game. Don’t bet on it, and don’t share any information about it — to anyone.

[Futureshock]

In the end, the Packers fleeced the Jets for Aaron Rodgers

Posted by Mike Florio on April 25, 2023, 9:37 AM EDT

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Several weeks ago, we argued that the Jets should act like they’re from New York/New Jersey. Instead, they did a deal that wouldn’t have even qualified for a set of steak knives in Glengarry Glen Ross.

Sorry, Jets fans, but your favorite team got fleeced. They had leverage. They just chose not to use it.

They chose not to say to the Packers, “This guy is never playing for you again. What are you going to do, pay him $60 million to sit on the bench? We’re in no hurry. He knows the offense. He doesn’t like to participate in the offseason anyway. We can do the deal at the start of training camp. We can do it at the start of the regular season, if need be.”

That’s the inescapable message from the terms of the deal. The 2023 second-round pick was a given. The Jets didn’t want to give up a first-round pick in 2024, unless it was the payoff for a great season.

In the end, the two becomes a one next year if Rodgers takes only 65 percent of the snaps this season. That’s not even two thirds of the full campaign. It’s only 11.05 games. He can miss nearly six games, and the Jets will still owe a first-round pick in 2024.

Then there’s the kicker. The flippity-flip of first-round picks in 2023. It doesn’t look like much to go from No. 13 to No. 15. In the upper half of round one, however, that’s a lot — especially since the Jets have now assumed a spot in line behind THE PATRIOTS.

But, hey, at least the Packers are sending the Jets a 2023 fifth-round pick in exchange for a 2023 sixth-round pick. As if that balances it all out.

It doesn’t. Not even close. Rodgers was never going to play for the Packers, ever again. The Packers got a two, a future one (most likely), and an upgraded first-round pick this year — with no protection to the Jets if Rodgers retreats to a dark room with a pot of ayahuasca and decides to retire after the 2023 season.

And so the Jets may ultimately have given all of that up for barely 11 regular-season games. With no guarantee of a playoff win, or even a playoff berth. With no guarantee of a winning record, or of even a single win during the 2023 season.

Team owner Woody Johnson asked on Twitter after the news emerged, “How’s everyone feeling?”

Packers fans should be feeling great. For Jets fans, the answer is simple.

“Not too good.”

Yes, they have Rodgers. But what did they give up? And what are they getting? They gave up too much for a roll of the dice, when it comes to on-field success.

Johnson, in turn, gave up perhaps just enough for a season of extreme relevance, with maximum ticket sales and in-stadium revenue and standalone games against the Bills (twice), Dolphins (twice), Patriots (twice), Chiefs, Eagles, Cowboys, and Giants.

Financially, the Jets will win. Whether they win enough games to get to the playoffs is a question for later. For now, it’s all about not the green of the helmet but the green of the cash that will be flowing into the owner’s coffers.

And it will be not for Woody but for his football employees to deal with making chicken salad out of the draft picks they surrendered for a quarterback who will turn 40 in December.

[ghandi]

How would the league know if Bob Smith places a bet on WIll Levis to be the first pick that he didnt place the bet for Jameson Williams or some other NFL player/employee? This is why it is dangerous to have bets on some things...There are a few people that know who the Panthers are taking at number 1.

[Futureshock]

There's really no need to tell anyone outside the owner, GM and coach. If anyone else knows, they can only blame themselves.

[Iron Lion]

So now officially Rodgers' last throw as a Packer was a hat-trick INT to a Lions rookie to lose a win-and-in at home.

The only question is if he will go on to play for the Vikes after the Jets.

[jaadam4]

In the end, it always comes down to money...Ashawn got 8 mil for one year....No way the Lions should pay that....As for the "winning team" thing, the Giants made the playoffs last year and the Lions didnt....I dont remember Ashawn being all that great when he was here.

I think it’s a fare contract for him. He’s young enough and he’s a really good run stuffer. He’s not a penetrating DT but he’s good at what he does

He’s a signing that makes a lot of sense for Detroit

[jaadam4]

So now officially Rodgers' last throw as a Packer was a hat-trick INT to a Lions rookie to lose a win-and-in at home.

The only question is if he will go on to play for the Vikes after the Jets.

Such a great way to end his stay in GB. I’m sorry but Love is terrible and GB wasted all these years grooming the wrong guy instead of stacking more talent on the team for Erin.

[froot loops]

I don't think any bets should be done on who drafts who.

[Topweasel]

I mean, what else is he to say? Still funny.


Brian Gutekunst: Packers’ goals don’t change no matter who plays quarterback

Posted by Michael David Smith on April 25, 2023, 12:08 PM EDT

Getty Images

Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst says trading quarterback Aaron Rodgers and moving on to Jordan Love does not change how Green Bay views the 2023 season.

“The goals don’t change around here,” Gutekunst said. “It’s going to be the same goals we’ve always had, right? There’s one goal here every single year, no matter what.”

Gutekunst says the Packers believe they can and will win with Love.

“We’re really excited where Jordan could go,” Gutekunst said. “He needs to play, and having him sit another year, I think, would have really delayed kind of where we were going and what we’re trying to build.”

Gutekunst also noted that “we were 8-9 last year,” so it’s not like the Packers could have been content to stand pat and expect to win the Super Bowl. Rodgers did not play well last year, and the Packers believe they’ve now moved on from him at the right time as they attempt to build a Super Bowl winning with Love.

I really love the revisionist history people write for themselves. Wouldn't the right time to move on from Rodgers if he didn't play well last year and you had a losing record have been last season. Instead of doing a 3 year deal and him forcing a trade (while getting them some return on him) bringing crippling dead cap.

I know you can't let Rodgers go after an MVP like season. But you didn't pick the right time to move on. You didn't pick it at all, Rodgers did.

[ghandi]

"The Washington Commanders won't pick up the fifth-year option on defensive end Chase Young, making him a possible free agent after this season, multiple sources confirmed."

Just another example of there is no sure thing in the NFL draft......

[Futureshock]

I don't think any bets should be done on who drafts who.

I wouldn't, but people do. Who are you or me to tell them they shouldn't?

[Futureshock]

"The Washington Commanders won't pick up the fifth-year option on defensive end Chase Young, making him a possible free agent after this season, multiple sources confirmed."

Just another example of there is no sure thing in the NFL draft......

I wanted him to fall to us so bad. This year feels similar.

[jaadam4]

I wanted him to fall to us so bad. This year feels similar.

Me too. I was so pissed when we beat GB to lose him as a pick. He was fantastic as a rookie but he's been so unavailable since its not a surprise

[ghandi]

The article said if Young returns to form this year they can always franchise him which is about 2.5M more per year than the 5th year option, but is certainly safer in case he is never the same player again.