Martellus Bennett is no longer a Packer after nine short weeks on the team. It will be remembered as one of the worst free agent signings in Packer history. If Bleacher Report still did clickbait-heavy slideshows, Bennett would be there as a newest entry joining Joe Johnson and others. But will it be a reason that some free agents might not join the Packers? Even though some may think that, it’s still about the team and their chances to be a Super Bowl contender on a yearly basis. This will be a blip on the radar even if it gets ugly.

Here’s the thing if Aaron Rodgers is still at quarterback, Packers are probably 6-2. Let’s say they win two of their last three because honestly, the Detroit game was the only one I felt like they couldn’t have won with Rodgers at the helm. Bennett is probably playing in all of those games. There might not be a single peep about retirement. 105.7 The Fan’s Mike Clemens said on The Big Show yesterday that Bennett stopped talking with the media right after Rodgers got hurt. He didn’t want to be a part of this team if they had no shot at the Super Bowl. Most free agents will ride the ups and the downs of the team. Not quit on his new teammates after one very tough injury.

If anything, the Packers should be a pissed off organization from top to bottom. Bennett basically told each individual person ‘You guys are not shit without Aaron Rodgers, and I have no time for you.’ That’s infuriating. I’m not going to say he’s wrong at this point given the current state of affairs, but what an audacious thing to do. Hopefully, Green bay uses this as motivation for the rest of the season.

Free agents will still come to Green Bay if Thompson decides to go back into that world. Rodgers is still a premier quarterback who has a chance to win the Super Bowl every year he’s behind center. Guys are going to want to come a team who has that ability. Sure, this thing with Bennett wasn’t great, but only a select few free agents would make up their mind about the team due to one person.

Hope this doesn’t scare away Thompson from signing free agents in the future. Only time will tell on that front.