Rodgers + Relationship Woes

 

Psych & Such    |    14 May 2021

I'm a huge football fan.  HUGE.  One of the biggest story lines this off-season is that of Aaron Rodgers.  One of the best quarterbacks of all time is unhappy in his current situation with the Green Bay Packers.  GB has been Rodgers's home for the last 16 seasons, so why the change of heart?  A few reasons (speculative or not) thrown out in the media are as follows:

• GB continues to ignore the growing necessity that Rodgers needs help. Weapons.  He can't do it all alone.
• GB moved up in the 2020 draft to select his predecessor...without telling Rodgers of their plan.  And this draft pick continues to perpetuate the previous bullet.
• GB was not timely in offering to restructure his current contract.  With guys such as Mahomes and Wilson getting paid at astronomical heights, the league MVP has leverage.

Whatever reasons Rodgers has, he is adamant that the relationship between himself and GB is too far gone for reconciliation.  Football is reality for Aaron Rodgers, but what does all of this sports talk mean for the rest of us?

If you have any fragmented relationships...or, relationships that require some level of repair, then there are things to learn from the saga between GB and Rodgers:

1. Support is important in relationships. Each side has needs, and ignoring one side's needs for entirely too long can cause permanent damage.
2. Communication matters. While some conversations are difficult, staying open, honest, and up-to-date means both sides can work towards a common goal versus withhold information and news that has the potential to introduce distrust into the relationship. 
3. While personal relationships do not (and should not) operate on contracts, offering gratitude and appreciation for each other's strengths, efforts, and investment within the relationship can go a long way in keeping things meaningful and reciprocal.