Aaron Rodgers and Packers are in the 'most passive aggressive relationship' as offseason drama drags on

It appears clear to some the relationship between Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers should just end. It's time for a divorce after nearly 20 years, they say.

But like a marriage that isn't working any more, getting both sides to be truthful with each other, at least from the outside, is the hold up for both parties in what has turned into a long-distance relationship for about two months since the Packers' season ended.

"This is the most passive aggressive relationship I've ever seen in my life," former NFL player Bart Scott said Wednesday on ESPN's "First Take," referring to both Rodgers and Packers management talking to everyone but each other. "Nobody wants to be the one to say I'm ready to break up. (Packers general manager) Brian (Gutekunst) has to understand the future is important. And the present, this is the best time to move on."

Aaron Rodgers goes on Aubrey Marcus' podcast to chat about his darkness retreat, retirement and more

Rodgers' future was back in the headlines Wednesday after the longtime quarterback appeared on his good friend Aubrey Marcus' podcast to discuss his recently-completed four-day darkness retreat. Retirement was a big part of what Rodgers said he pondered while he sat in complete darkness inside his small room at the Sky Cave Resorts in the wilderness of southern Oregon.

The 39-year-old Rodgers indicated a decision about whether he still wants to play football will occur soon, though he has said that before, and explained this isn't something he's taking lightly. Gutekunst said Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine he's had very little conversation with Rodgers in the offseason but expects to soon.

“I don’t want to drag anybody around," Rodgers said. "If you don’t like it and you think it’s drama, and you think I’m being a diva or whatever, then just tune it out. That’s fine."

What is Stephen A. Smith saying about Aaron Rodgers?

Stephen A. Smith, who hosts "First Take" and has been a longtime defender of Rodgers, would like to do just that.

"You can’t tune out one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game," Smith said, "but my God, I wish we could. I'm so sick and tired of talking about Aaron Rodgers about everything but winning."

Smith's criticism of Rodgers' behavior has increased over the last few months on the long-running talk show. Smith has been one of Rodgers' biggest supporters over the years and on Wednesday said that outside of two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, Rodgers is the greatest QB talent he's ever seen.

But Smith, one of ESPN's most prominent voices, has had enough of a guy he likes personally.

"I would be embarrassed if folks are talking about me this much when I haven't won," said Smith, who pretended he was sleeping at the beginning of the segment.

Bart Scott on 'First Take': Rodgers' behavior models that of Brett Favre late in his career

Rodgers is a four-time MVP, eventual Hall of Famer and has led the Packers to the playoffs in 11 of his 15 seasons as a starter. But it's been 12 years since the Packers' last Super Bowl appearance and the team is going in the wrong direction in each of the last three seasons (loss in the NFC title game in 2020, loss in the divisional round in 2021 and a playoff-less season in 2022).

The Packers turned the page on Brett Favre, a three-time MVP, Hall of Famer and one-time Super Bowl winner, 11 years after Favre led Green Bay to the Super Bowl in 1997. Their breakup was messy and full of drama that spanned years with Rodgers watching it all.

"He's learned from the best," Scott said of Rodgers. "He’s a product of his environment. His environment was Brett Favre. This is the exact same thing. ... We had the same conversations around Favre year after year. Their resumes are pretty similar as well. He continued to hold the organization hostage until finally, they said you know what it's Aaron Rodgers' time."

Smith blames all parties involved, from Rodgers to Gutekunst to coach Matt LaFleur.

"I don’t give a damn whether he wants to stay or go," Smith said. "Play, win. The embarrassment of the situation, this melodrama doesn't just fall on the shoulders of Aaron Rodgers. It ain't just Aaron Rodgers’ fault. It's Gutekunst's fault. It's LaFleur's fault. News for everything but winning."

For Scott, it goes back to the Packers and Rodgers not being honest with each other.

"If you put all the pieces together both sides want to break up," Scott said. "They don't want to be the first one to say it, but it’s perfect for Green Bay to move on."

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bart Scott: Aaron Rodgers, Packers in passive aggressive relationship