Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers emerged from his darkness retreat last week to several funny reactions as the four-time NFL MVP contemplates his future with the team and in the league.
Rodgers, 39, has been undecided about returning to the Packers for a 19th season. His other options include requesting a trade from Green Bay or retiring altogether.
While the future Hall of Famer has yet to make a decision, he did note recently that something is on the horizon.
“For everybody involved directly and indirectly, it’s best for a decision earlier. I feel really good about the conversations that are gonna be had, that have been had, with the important people in my life that help to orient me. But I’m not looking for somebody to tell me what the answer is. All the answers are right inside me, and I touched many of them — and definitely the feelings — on both sides during the darkness. I’m thankful for that time.”
Aaron Rodgers said on the Aubrey Marcus Podcast (h/t NFL.com).
It seems as is Rodgers is nearing a decision on his future. The longer this draws out, the more likely it seems that he will in fact return to the Packers. But until a decision is made, the team is pretty much in a holding pattern.
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst touched on this during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis earlier in the week.
“He’s a great player, but until we have those conversations, I think all options are on the table,” Gutekunst said. “We need to have those conversations. We want what’s best for the Green Bay Packers, what’s best for him so we’ll get to that coming up.”
Green Bay is more than willing to go with young quarterback Jordan Love should Rodgers opt to retire or request a trade to another team. Gutekunst and Co. seem much more confident in the former first-round pick than at any other previous point in Love’s young career.
Related: Aaron Rodgers market could be declining as QB nears decision on future
Aaron Rodgers contract could be an issue for the Green Bay Packers
Rodgers is currently playing under a record three-year, $150.82 million contract. He has a cap hit of $30.62 million in 2023. While Green Bay currently boasts nearly $17 million in cap room, it would love to have a decision from Rodgers before free agency officially opens on March 15.
That’s especially true if Rodgers’ decision is to request a trade. His contract calls for a $99.78 million dead cap hit. Obviously, the future Hall of Fame quarterback would have to work with Green Bay on a restructure in order to help facilitate a trade to another team.
- Aaron Rodgers stats: 65% completion, 59,055 yards, 475 TD, 105 INT, 103.6 QB rating
Rodgers has been linked primarily to the New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders in trade talks. Though, other teams would get involved should he hit the trade market. That likely includes the San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans and New Orleans Saints.
But for now, a decision on his future has not been made.
“There’s a finality to the decision. I don’t make it lightly. I don’t want to drag anybody around. Look, I’m answering questions about it because I got asked about it. I’m talking about it because it’s important to me.
If you don’t like it and you think it’s drama, you think I’m being a diva or whatever, then just tune it out. That’s fine. But this is my life. It’s important to me, and I’ll make a decision soon enough and we’ll go down that road and be really excited about it.”
Aaron Rodgers on final decision
Hopefully, we’ll all have an answer soon enough.