A series of unflattering news reports laid bare the apparent rift between reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and the only franchise he's ever played for in his decorated career.
Rodgers, who is said to have requested a trade out of Green Bay amid a year-long row with the front office after it surprisingly drafted his presumed successor at last year's draft, seemed to be his usual relaxed self while chilling in the grandstand at Churchill Downs in Louisville for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
But NBC's lead anchor for Derby coverage, Mike Tirico, broke from the usual pomp and pageantry of the horse race to bring viewers an unexpected scoop from Rodgers himself.
Rodgers apparently expressed his gratitude to the fans and city of Green Bay, according to Tirico, but there is a "fissure" or a "chasm" between Rodgers and the Packers' front office.
Separately, and further underscoring the apparent friction, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst reportedly denied a report published earlier on Saturday by Yahoo Sports indicating that Rodgers had requested Gutekunst's firing.
“Aaron hasn't said anything like that to me and certainly hasn’t said anything publicly,” Gutekunst said, according to ESPN. “I think that’s a little unfair to put that on him. Certainly don’t like to hear those things, but no, nothing’s been communicated directly to me.”
To recap, Rodgers is admitting there's a "chasm" between he and his bosses, and the Packers' GM is having to publicly deny that Rodgers wants him fired.
The awkward melodrama set in motion by the Packers' selection of Jordan Love last year could finally be reaching its conclusion.
Stay tuned.