LaFleur: Rodgers will 'absolutely be here for a long time'
The Green Bay Packers continue to make sure the rest of the football world knows Aaron Rodgers isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Head coach Matt LaFleur said Monday that the star quarterback will "absolutely be here for a long time," according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky.
"Is that a trick question? Absolutely," LaFleur added, the Green Bay Press-Gazette's Ryan Woods reports. "There's no doubt about it. You're talking about the guy who's going to win the MVP of the league. We're not in this position without him."
Rodgers raised eyebrows when he suggested his future was uncertain following Green Bay's NFC title-game loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He later walked back his comments, saying he doesn't think there's any reason he won't return.
The Packers have pushed back against the prospect that Rodgers could play elsewhere in 2021.
"We're not idiots. Aaron Rodgers will be back, he's our leader," CEO Mark Murphy said last week.
Meanwhile, Green Bay reportedly rejected the Los Angeles Rams' approach for Rodgers, with the NFC North team adamant about keeping the 37-year-old. L.A. ultimately acquired Matthew Stafford in a blockbuster trade that sent Jared Goff and two first-round picks to the Detroit Lions.
On Monday, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst firmly shut the door on Rodgers being traded.
"Absolutely not," Gutekunst said when asked if he sees any scenarios in which he'd be willing to move the veteran.
"He's going to be a part of our future, and we look forward to all the runs we're going to be able to make here over the next few years," he added.
Rodgers' long-term place in Green Bay came into question when the team traded up in the first round of last year's draft to select quarterback Jordan Love.
The future Hall of Famer responded with one of his finest seasons to date, throwing 48 touchdowns against five interceptions to likely secure his third career MVP award.
Though the Packers seemingly have no intention of parting ways with Rodgers, they may have to prove their commitment.
The quarterback, who's the fifth-highest-paid player at his position and contracted through 2023, is reportedly looking for an extension.
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