The Supposed Rodgers-LaFleur Riff Doesn’t Exist

Yesterday, a column came out about Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur at odds. If you’re wondering how this started again, the answer is simple. The Packers drafted a quarterback in the first round. Apparently, The Athletic’s Bob McGinn thinks this is the case. McGinn is a well-respected journalist, but it is hard for me to take his commentary seriously. Rather, the Packers drafted a quarterback that fits what LaFleur wants to do with his offense moving forward, and Green Bay’s overall team will fit in with more of what Kyle Shanahan did with the San Francisco 49ers. There is 0.0 reason to believe a rift exists between LaFleur and Rodgers.
Remember the comments made by Rodgers before the NFL Draft started? He did a podcast with A.J. Hawk last week and made a joke about how everyone got ‘pretty fuckin’ quiet’ about his relationship with LaFleur. How did things suddenly change in a week? Does McGinn know something that we do not? He is not a boots-on-the-ground journalist anymore. McGinn has never been known as a Rodgers’ guy either. If this story comes from Jason Wilde or Mark Tauscher, I have to take it seriously and have an honest discussion about it.
People respect McGinn for the years he worked with the Packers, and the curation of scouts and executives’ anonymous opinions on draft talent is always fantastic. But there has been a riff with McGinn and the Packers since the days of Ted Thompson. He was highly critical of Thompson after the former Packers general manager restricted access to journalists. Additionally, when McGinn tried to run his version of The Athletic, the Packers did not credential him furthering the divide between the two. He is spiteful towards the Packers, and many see his experience as his way of being credible.
Lastly, I would be remiss if not mentioning that McGinn fell for a fake tweet from Barry McCocknier, one of the worst Twitter accounts in modern history, saying that Rodgers was ‘livid’ over the Love pick. This is not surprising, but it shows you how McGinn is desperate for having this story of Rodgers-LaFleur hating each other have legs.
Things can change. Rodgers-LaFleur may get icy in August or September, but right now, it is pure speculation.
Charlie.