Former Green Bay Packers fullback John Kuhn says that he has talked with franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers since news broke last Thursday that Rodgers was unhappy with the Packers organization and wants out.
Kuhn made an appearance on Wednesday night on CBS Radio, and while he wouldn’t disclose the exact details of the conversation he had with Rodgers, he did say that the MVP signal caller has not made up his mind regarding his future with the franchise.
“He’s conflicted because this man loves to play the game of football, this man loves to be a Green Bay Packer and this man truly sees careers,” Kuhn said during the appearance, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. “He’s watched friends leave, he watched Brett Favre’s career toward the end. He’s watched all these things play out in front of his eyes; he’s taken notes throughout his career. He’s seen some situations that didn’t feel were done or finished the way that they could or should have.
Kuhn played with the Packers from 2007 through 2015, and regularly golfs with Rodgers. Since his retirement, Kuhn has returned to the Packers organization to do some media work.
“He’s just trying to take his earned destiny within his own hands. To that effect, I actually admire him because not many players in the NFL have that opportunity. I sure as heck didn’t. I played until everybody told me ‘you can’t play anymore,’ and it’s a humbling feeling. Aaron Rodgers has an opportunity to take a little bit of that power.”
Kuhn added that his gut told him that “if there’s not a trade … [Rodgers would] rather sit out than play.”
“If I used my gut and I used everything that I hear from the Packers organization, it makes me feel really, really good,” Kuhn said. “If I used the football business acumen and see the tough spot that the Packers are in right now with that first-round pick that they used last year on Jordan Love, that’s what makes me pull back a little bit. I still think it’s somewhere around 70, 75% that Aaron Rodgers is the starting quarterback for the Packers this year.”
Additionally, Kuhn shot down a report that stated Rodgers would not return to the team if Brian Gutekunst remained as general manager of the Packers.
“I really don’t think Aaron is that cynical of a person, no matter what differences they have,” Kuhn said. “He’s proven to the Packers brass that just because he has differences with the head coach or a general manager, it doesn’t necessarily affect his play and his professionalism. I can’t see that being a direct quote from Aaron Rodgers.
“I still believe there’s an opportunity at a resolution here. I just think it’s going to take two men that are dug in right now and try to meet in the middle somewhere they’re both happy.”
