Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has long been rumored to be the true shot-caller behind every franchise he's been on. The speculation has garnered him the nickname of “LeGM” for the very real influence he wields. Now it seems like Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has taken a page directly out of King James' playbook.
The Packers-Rodgers standoff has (sort of) come to an end, as Aaron Rodgers finally spoke out about simmering beef that's everyone has been smelling all offseason. In the first of what will probably many moves to appease Rodgers, Green Bay went ahead and acquired longtime Packers favorite Randall Cobb via trade. Packers GM Brian Gutenkunst didn't hide the fact that the moves was basically entirely something they wouldn't have considered otherwise.
Via NFL reporter Albert Breer:
“I think that's a big part of it. Without Aaron, we probably wouldn't be pursuing it. Randall's still a good player. … This is what Aaron wanted, that's why we did it.”
Now that's what you call true influence. LeBron James would definitely be proud. While some may see this as Aaron Rodgers abusing his leverage over the Packers, you could argue that it's payback for Green Bay's long history of ignoring the wants of their superstar QB.
This time around, the Packers are doing things the Aaron Rodgers way. We'll just have to wait and see if that way is any better.