Aaron Rodgers May Cost Packers Draft Picks and Cash, Plus Wins

In addition to potentially losing a couple games with Aaron Rodgers sidelined after he tested positive for COVID-19 despite behaving as if he had been vaccinated, the Green Bay Packers could face discipline from the NFL in the form of costly fines and lost draft picks.

The NFL is currently reviewing whether the Packers failed to enforce the league’s COVID-19 protocols with regard to unvaccinated players, as the club allowed Rodgers to go maskless on the sidelines and at press conferences that take place indoors at Green Bay’s facilities despite being aware that his self-proclaimed “immunized” status was (rightly so) not recognized by the league. Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur stated the Packers have followed the protocols, but anyone who has seen the team play this season can attest that isn’t the case, at least with Rodgers.

“The primary responsibility for enforcement of the COVID protocols within club facilities rests with each club,” the NFL said in a statement Wednesday. “Failure to properly enforce the protocols has resulted in discipline being assessed against individual clubs in the past. The league is aware of the current situation in Green Bay and will be reviewing the matter with the Packers.”

Failure to properly enforce or follow the league’s COVID-19 protocols last year resulted in the New Orleans Saints being docked a sixth-round draft pick in 2022 and fined $700,000. Originally slated to lose a pick as well, the Las Vegas Raiders avoided losing a draft pick but were fined $800,000 after their appeals process was completed. In addition to disciplining teams, the NFL has the ability to fine players at least $14,650 on first offense of violating COVID-19 protocols, with a maximum of $50,000, per ESPN.

Given the way Rodgers carried himself on and off the field this season after telling reporters he had been “immunized” against COVID-19, it was widely assumed he wasn’t subject to NFL protocols for unvaccinated players such as daily testing and mask-wearing when appropriate. But yesterday’s news of his positive test led to more information about his status leaking out, including that the 37-year-old QB got “homeopathic treatments” instead of the jab.

“Aaron Rodgers received homeopathic treatment from his personal doctor to raise his antibody levels and asked the NFL to review his status,” Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweeted. “The NFL, NFLPA and joint docs ruled him as unvaccinated. Now, he has COVID-19.”

Worth noting is that Rodgers’s “personal doctor” could actually turn out to be his clay-eating fiancée Shailene Woodley, who previously told Vulture she manufactures her own healing remedies. “I gather my own spring water from mountains every month. I go to a farm to get my food. I make everything from my own toothpaste to my own body lotions and face oils,” she said. “I make my own medicines; I don’t get those from doctors. I make my own cheese and forage wild foods and identify wild plants.”

Promising quarterback Jordan Love, who the Packers selected in the first round last year, will start on Sunday against the Chiefs. If he plays well, the Packers may regret that they didn’t trade Rodgers for multiple first-round picks when they had the chance.