Green Bay Packers

Like it or not, it seems Aaron Rodgers will HAVE to play for the Packers this season ... 'cause the team's GM said Thursday night Green Bay has zero plans to trade the QB.

Brian Gutekunst, who took over GM duties for the Pack back in 2018, acknowledged there is a bit of a rift with their star signal-caller at the moment ... though he insisted the issues won't be resolved with a trade.

"We're not going to trade Aaron Rodgers," Gutekunst said after the 2021 NFL Draft's first round wrapped up.

"The value that he adds to our football is really immeasurable, you know what I mean?" Gutekunst added. "He brings so much to the table not only as a player but as a leader."

Of course, Rodgers has reportedly reached his breaking point with the team ... with multiple reports saying Thursday Aaron wants out BADLY.

Rodgers has been upset with his contract ... and he's made it clear he hasn't loved some of the team's personnel moves -- including when the Packers drafted a quarterback (Jordan Love) in the 2020 NFL Draft's 1st round instead of a wideout.

But, Gutekunst seemed confident both sides will work things out for the 2021 season ... telling reporters, "I do think he'll play for us again."

"We're going to work towards that and we've been working towards that on a number of different fronts."

In fact, the Packers have already rebuked trade offers from at least one team ... 49ers GM John Lynch told reporters Thursday he inquired about the QB before the draft -- but added, "It wasn't happening."

Green Bay Packers tight end Marcedes Lewis REALLY hopes Aaron Rodgers sticks around ... admitting he'll be heartbroken to lose his QB.

Lewis and Rodgers have become close friends since Marcedes joined the Pack back in 2018 ... and knows how special of a player he is.

So, when he saw the reports Thursday about Aaron wanting out of Green Bay -- Lewis admitted he's sad about the whole situation ... but ultimately respects whatever decision Rodgers makes.

"I hope it's something that can get worked out," Lewis told us in L.A. on Thursday ... "He IS Green Bay and we need him to do what we want to do next year."

Lewis says whatever is happening behind the scenes is "between him and the front office and I'm just hoping they can figure it out and A-Rodge returns so we can handle business."

Marcedes gives Rodgers -- the league's reigning MVP -- a TON of credit for leading the team to the NFC championship game the past 2 seasons ... but admits he wants a RING and knows Aaron gives him the best chance to win it.

Answer: THIS is what Aaron Rodgers got hit with in the final seconds of his 'Jeopardy' hosting debut ...

Question: What is ... A SICK BURN!?!?

Yep, the Green Bay Packers QB was heckled during Final Jeopardy over that lousy NFC Championship playoff loss to Tom Brady ... and it was hilarious!!

Rodgers was a pretty solid guest host on Monday's show -- keeping a solid pace and offering some fun banter along the way. He crushed it.

But, the best moment of the show took place at the end ... when contestant Scott -- the reigning 2-day champion -- decided to have some fun at Aaron's expense during Final Jeopardy.

The category was Daytime TV Personalities -- but Scott realized he didn't know the material and couldn't win the game.

So, instead of scribbling down a legitimate guess ... he wrote on his monitor, "Who wanted to kick that field goal?!"

SICK BURN!!!

Aaron smiled, laughed and said, "That is a great question! It should be correct!"

Scott is referring to the bizarre call at the end of the NFC Championship game back in January ... where Packers coach Matt LaFleur opted to kick a field goal on 4th and Goal, despite being down 8 points with around 2 minutes remaining.

The Packers got the 3 points -- but Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Bucs got the ball back and successfully ran out the clock, winning the game.

Most people -- including Aaron -- think Rodgers should've gotten a chance to score a TD on 4th down, followed by a 2 point conversion try. But hey, hindsight is 20/20 right?

Don't worry, Rodgers has a solid support system around him -- including his fiancee, Shailene Woodley, who raved about Aaron right before he made his hosting debut.

"This guy right here is super sexy, super attractive ... just shaved his neck this morning! Has a little man bun growing," she joked.

"This guy is hosting Jeopardy! tonight!"

So, why was Aaron selected to host? Rodgers actually won "Celebrity Jeopardy" back in 2015 ... and explained in his opening comments that he wanted to honor the memory of the late, great Alex Trebek.

Aaron Rodgers is a pretty solid teammate when it comes to doggy duty -- check out the NFL star braving the freezing cold to take his fiancee's German Shepherd for a walk!

The Green Bay Packers QB is out in Montreal, Canada where his actress GF Shailene Woodley has been shooting the cop thriller "Misanthrope."

The weather has dipped into the 20s this week in Montreal -- but Aaron doesn't care ... the guys plays in the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field!!!

So, strap on a jacket and a beanie ... easy work!!

The dog doesn't seem to mind the cold either -- check out the adorable canine on a walk with Shailene just a few weeks ago!

As we previously reported, 37-year-old Aaron announced his engagement to the 29-year-old actress back in February after winning the NFL's MVP award for the 2020 season.

He's been gushing about his relationship with Woodley ever since -- and said he's even looking forward to having a kid with her at some point.

NFL MVP ... engagement to stunning actress ... and, next, fatherhood?!?

Aaron Rodgers says that's the plan ... with the Green Bay Packers superstar saying he's eyeing having a baby now that he's engaged to Shailene Woodley.

The quarterback made the revelation during a chat with Zenith Watches last week ... saying fatherhood is the next life goal he'd like to reach.

"I just think it'd be so fun," Rodgers said of being a dad. "I've dreamt about what that would be like and I'm really excited about that chapter whenever that comes."

37-year-old Rodgers says he's not sure exactly when he'd like to head down that road -- he explained it might not be in the "immediate future" -- but he added he's still pumped about the idea regardless.

"I've done a pretty good job taking care of myself for the last 37 years," Rodgers said. "I look forward to taking care of another life at some point too."

As we previously reported, Rodgers announced his engagement in February after he won the NFL's MVP award.

Woodley confirmed the news a few weeks later and raved about the QB in an interview with Jimmy Fallon, playfully calling the QB a "nerd."

For those hoping to land Aaron Rodgers in a trade this offseason, his Packers teammate, Marcedes Lewis, has some bad news for ya ...

The Green Bay tight end tells TMZ Sports there's NO WAY IN HELL the Packers jettison their star QB -- not even for a treasure trove haul!!

"He is Green Bay," Lewis said of the future Hall of Famer. "If we want to do what we want to do, year in and year out, he has to be a part of it."

Of course, for a day or two after Green Bay lost the NFC Championship Game to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it sure looked like a Rodgers trade was coming.

Aaron told reporters he believed his 2021 future was up in the air ... and given the team had just drafted Jordan Love with its first-round pick, the writing seemed to be on the wall.

But, damn near EVERYBODY in the Packers' organization has insisted the last few days that Rodgers isn't going anywhere ... and when we got Lewis out at LAX this week, he said they ain't lying.

"Nobody's even thinking that," Lewis says.

Sorry, NFC North.

Breathe easy, Green Bay ... Aaron Rodgers has clarified his comments -- and the superstar QB is now saying he believes he'll still be a Packer next year.

"I don't think that there's any reason why I wouldn't be back," Rodgers said Tuesday.

Aaron made the statement on "The Pat McAfee Show" ... explaining he was surprised by the way his postgame comments Sunday made so many people believe he wanted out of Wisconsin.

If you missed it, Rodgers -- just minutes after losing in the NFC title game to Tom Brady in heartbreaking fashion -- told reporters he was "uncertain" of his future in Green Bay.

Because of the way the team had just lost, and given how it had drafted quarterback Jordan Love in the 1st round in the offseason ... a lot of folks took that as a goodbye from Rodgers.

But, Aaron told McAfee and A.J. Hawk on Tuesday that he wasn't implying anything with his comments ... and an uncertain future is just part of the game in the NFL.

"There's not many absolutes -- as you guys know -- in this business," Rodgers said. "So, to make an absolute statement about something that is not an absolute, I didn't do it. I guess that's why it kind of, went kind of nuts."

Rodgers explained he's always wanted to remain a Packer for life -- similar to Kobe Bryant with the Lakers and Derek Jeter with the Yankees.

"Naturally, you dream about that," Rodgers said.

FYI -- Packers brass is clearly on the same page as Rodgers ... team president Mark Murphy said Tuesday, "We're not idiots. Aaron Rodgers will be back, he's our leader."

Ex-Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson -- who made some of the most important moves in franchise history -- has died.

He was only 68.

Thompson (a former linebacker) spent 10 years in the NFL as a player -- signing with the Houston Oilers as an undrafted free agent in 1975 --  before getting into the operational side of the business.

He started with the Packers in 1992 as a scout -- and worked his way up to GM in 2005 ... and that's when he really got cookin'.

Ted's first draft pick as GM? Aaron Rodgers. Yeah. Not bad.

Followed by ... future Pro Bowlers like Nick Collins, Greg Jennings, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Clay Matthews, Eddie Lacy, Randall Cobb, Mason Crosby, David Bakhtiari, Davante Adams and many, many, many more.

In 2008, Thompson also famously traded away the team's most famous and beloved player of all time -- Brett Favre, which ended up working out great for GB.

There's so much more ... he also landed top free agents over the years including Charles Woodson in 2006 and Julius Peppers in 2016.

Thompson was a low-level staffer when the Packers won Super Bowl 31 in 1997 -- but was the acting GM when the Pack won Super Bowl 45 in 2011.

He stepped down as GM in early 2018 after he was diagnosed with an autonomic disorder. He was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2019.

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur just spoke about Thompson's death Thursday -- saying, "Our condolences go out to his family. He's a guy that's held in the highest regard in this building and around the league."

"His impact is still felt to this day when you look at our roster."

Current Packers GM Brian Gutekunst also released a statement ... saying, "Ted was a man of great character and integrity who cared deeply for his family and friends."

"He was honest and hard-working. He valued his scouts and always did what he felt was right for the Packers organization."

Mark Murphy, Packers CEO, added ... "What really stands out to me is the consistency."

"Everything is designed to make it difficult to win that way, but you look at what Ted accomplished, it's remarkable."

Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalist LeRoy Butler says there's a very good reason he belongs in Canton ... Deion Sanders and Rod Woodson are enshrined.

Prime, SA, and Woodson are members of the NFL's '90s All-Decade team -- along with Bruce Smith, Reggie White, Cortez Kennedy, John Randle, Junior Seau, Derrick Thomas, and Kevin Greene -- ALL who are members of the Hall.

Butler is the only guy on the All-Decade squad who isn't in Canton ... and he tells TMZ Sports that's a helluva reason to put him in.

"I really would love to be in the Hall of Fame this particular year, 2021. And, plus, it's a little embarrassing to be the only All-Decade member, 1st team, not in the Hall of Fame."

Butler says some of the other players have bigger names ... but when it comes to the football field, he contributed as much as the other HOF'ers.

"It's like 'generic' and 'brand.' You get Woodson, brand, put him in! Manning, brand. Generic, LeRoy Butler. But, I do the same thing as them. I'm just cheaper. I think they should put me in to say we close out the '90s to the 2000s. Done, start the new decade! So, I just pray."

BTW, there's a reason LeRoy made the All-Decade team ... he had a great, 12 season career in Green Bay. He made 1st team All-Pro 4 times, 4 Pro Bowls, and won a Super Bowl with Brett Favre and the Packers in 1997.

Butler also breaks down his foray into the liquor biz ... 'cause he just launched a new vodka, aptly named Leap Spirits.

Remember, Butler was the 1st player to Lambeau Leap back in 1993.

State of the nation got ya down? Here's a video that'll help pick you back up ...

A Green Bay Packers fan finished his last round of cancer treatments ... and to celebrate, he rang a ceremonial bell -- AND THEN SHOTGUNNED A BEER!!!

The amazing footage was posted on Twitter on Wednesday ... showing a guy in an Aaron Rodgers jersey attacking a Busch Light like a true champ after achieving the incredible feat!

"Ever shotgun a beer in a hospital?" Twitter user @blomdotcomm captioned the video. "Done with chemo. Done with cancer!"

He later added, "Had to celebrate the milestone in an epic fashion."

The clip was so awesome, it caught the attention of former NFL punter Pat McAfee -- who wrote of the vid, "Feel like the world needs some feel good right now... this feels good. Congrats BOSS."

Christmas came early in Green Bay ... 'cause Davante Adams just hooked up his Packers teammates with a fresh pair of Air Jordans -- and the dudes lost their minds over the gifts!!

Adams' squadmates posted about the presents on social media on Friday ... and they were all STOKED -- with guys praising and thanking Adams repeatedly.

"You know what it is man," Adams said in a video shot by wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling. "I love ya'll boys, man!"

The kicks are all super clean ... Adams gifted pairs of Mocha AJ1s and also Dark Concord 12s -- which both go for about $300 a pop on StockX.

Of course, Adams is a Jordan athlete AND he's in the middle of a 4-year, $58 MILLION contract ... but still, it's the thought that counts, right?!

"Appreciate you, Tae!" defensive back Kevin King said. "Shout out the GOAT. Yessir!"

Added pass rusher Preston Smith, "Shout out to the big bro, Tae! The boy got the team Jordans! Yessir! You already know what the f*ck going on!"

Green Bay receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling's costly fumble helped seal a loss for the Packers on Sunday ... and now, the dude says he's getting death threats over it all.

The untimely giveaway happened in overtime against the Colts in a 31-31 game ... when Valdes-Scantling caught a little bubble screen pass and then coughed up the football.

Indianapolis players were able to recover ... and just four snaps later, the Colts kicked the game-winning field goal to give the Pack its 3rd loss of the season.

Afterward, Valdes-Scantling says upset fans took things WAY TOO FAR ... writing on his social media page that some have actually threatened to kill him over the turnover.

"Death threats over a football game? Jesus you people need help," MVS wrote Sunday night. "It’s actually sick."

The good news? Valdes-Scantling says his teammates and coaches racing to his defense after the fumble (star QB Aaron Rodgers and head coach Matt LaFleur both said after they've still got plenty of confidence in the wideout) helped.

"I’m good," Valdes-Scantling said. "My team got my back."

The receiver also added earlier in the night, "Thank You God. Without failure there is no growth."

The San Francisco 49ers are the latest team to shut down their facility due to COVID-19 ... just one day before they're supposed to take the field for "Thursday Night Football."

The news broke minutes ago ... with ESPN's Adam Schefter saying Niners wide receiver Kendrick Bourne tested positive for coronavirus one day before their game against the Green Bay Packers.

The decision to shut down the team's facility was made as a "precaution," per the report ... and the organization will now go through the process of contact tracing to prevent further spread.

The report comes on the heels of the Pack's own COVID-19 nightmare -- running back AJ Dillon tested positive earlier this week ... and linebacker Kamal Martin and running back Jamaal Williams were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after being deemed close contacts.

The NFL has yet to comment on the status of 'TNF' ... but it's not looking great.

Green Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan tells TMZ Sports his breakout game was no one-hit wonder ... and he's warning fantasy owners to keep him in their lineups -- OR ELSE!!!

The 26-year-old exploded during the Pack's "Monday Night Football" win over the Atlanta Falcons last week ... catching 6 passes for 98 yards and THREE touchdowns.

Afterward, fantasy football nerds were wonderin' if the guy could keep up the unexpected production for the rest of this season ... and he told us hell yes he can!

"That's going to continue to grow and get better so I'm excited about that," Tonyan said. "If you're a believer, keep believing, if not, see ya!"

Tonyan also raved about his quarterback ... telling us Aaron Rodgers wasn't wrong for saying his bad years are some guys' career ones.

"I mean, the numbers don't lie," Tonyan said, "and, on top of it, he's been doing it for a long time."

Mike Holmgren is going to war with Donald Trump ... blaming the president for the Packers' new fan ban -- and claiming POTUS is single-handedly responsible for "devastating" Green Bay's economy.

The Packers coaching legend spelled out his issues with DT in a scathing statement Tuesday ... just hours after the team announced fans would NOT be allowed at Lambeau Field for the foreseeable future due to rising COVID cases in the area.

"Today's announcement makes one thing very clear -- President Trump's failure to mount a forceful response to the coronavirus pandemic has had profound consequences for Green Bay's economy," Holmgren said.

"Small businesses in the community are paying dearly. We are now months into this crisis, cases are surging across Wisconsin, and President Trump still doesn't have a plan to get the virus under control."

Holmgren added, "It didn't have to be this bad."

Mike says the Packers pulling the plug on fans this season will have a HUGE negative impact on the city's economy -- claiming it could cost locals roughly $160 MILLION.

"As a result of Trump's failure to respond to the coronavirus pandemic," Holmgren said, "the scaled-down Packers season is devastating to many Green Bay-area businesses."

Holmgren is adamant about booting Trump from office this election cycle ... saying he believes Joe Biden's plan for coronavirus would mean better news for Green Bay.

"He's a man of integrity," Holmgren said of Biden. "And, now more than ever, we need him in the White House."

"I sometimes laugh when people talk about down years for me because down years for me are career years for most quarterbacks."

AARON RODGERS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!

The Green Bay Packers QB just dropped one of the least humble brags of all time Tuesday on the "Pat McAfee Show" ... and it was awesome!!

McAfee was asking the 36-year-old QB if he paid attention to any of the negative media criticism over the past year -- including claims that he was washed up at the end of 2019.

But, Rodgers (in his 16th season in the NFL) has been KILLING IT in 2020 -- with 13 TDs and ZERO interceptions while leading the Packers to a 4-0 start.

Some are saying he's already the frontrunner for the 2020 MVP.

So, when Aaron had the opportunity to clap back at his critics -- HE DELIVERED!!

McAfee's reaction is also incredible -- he lost this damn mind!!

When Pat finally calmed down, Rodgers smirked and said, "Hey, it's just the facts, bro."