“It’s part of the business” - When Matt LaFleur made feelings clear on 49ers’ free-agency approach for Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers has been one of the NFL's best quarterbacks over the last two decades. His best performance came during the COVID era when he achieved back-to-back MVP awards for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. His stakes were so high during this phase that teams were willing to breach NFL rules to acquire him.

In 2021, multiple teams reportedly contacted Rodgers to inquire about his availability for a trade. After all, there were rumors of him being upset with the Green Bay Packers management.

One of the rumored individuals to approach Rodgers, according to the Packers, was San Francisco 49ers’ coach Kyle Shanahan. When Packers coach Matt LaFleur was questioned about the event, he told ESPN that there was no bad blood between them.

“Kyle’s a great friend of mine. ... I haven’t talked to him in a while, (but) it’s just part of the business (and) you start kind of getting into your own routine,” LaFleur said. “But, yeah, absolutely, I hold no ill will toward him.”

Matt LaFleur remains considerate of Kyle Shanahan despite possible NFL rules violation

Matt LaFleur and Kyle Shanahan spent many years coaching for the same team. They began with offensive coaching duties for the Houston Texans in 2008-09 and then reunited in Washington from 2010-13. Thus, LaFleur was considerate of Shanahan’s situation.

“Like, I understand," LaFleur said. "He’s trying to do whatever he thinks he needs to do for his football team. He’s got a responsibility to everybody in that organization, and if there’s an opportunity, I don’t hold that against him. So that will have no effect on our relationship.”

Their last assignment together was with the Atlanta Falcons from 2015-16 before Shanahan left for head coach duties with the 49ers. LaFleur then joined the Rams as offensive coordinator under Sean McVay. He eventually became the head coach of the Green Bay Packers, a decision that was controversial in its own sense.

Multiple teams approach Aaron Rodgers for trade

The Packers fired Mike McCarthy midseason, and Matt LaFleur was hired for the new season in 2019. It is rumored that Aaron Rodgers played a part in McCarthy’s firing, although Rodgers denied the accusations, with support from team president Mark Murphy.

However, by 2021, there were reports that Rodgers wasn’t happy with LaFleur either, mostly because the team drafted Jordan Love. As a result, Rodgers was approached by multiple teams. When Rodgers was asked about the situation, he simply said:

“There were points where I thought anything was possible, definitely. But not a strong possibility.”

He eventually left the Packers after the 2022 season to join the New York Jets.