Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers might be willing to step aside for backup Jordan Love if the Packers are eliminated from postseason contention, the four-time MVP said on Wednesday.
Rodgers sustained a rib injury last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, and Love performed credibly after coming off the bench in a 40-33 loss.
In his weekly appearance on the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, Rodgers said regarding his status for the Packers’ Sunday road game against the Chicago Bears, “I plan on playing this week.”
However, when asked Wednesday how he would react if the Packers (4-8) decide it’s time to look at reserves with an eye toward the future, Rodgers struck a conciliatory tone.
“I’d love to finish the season out, but I understand this is a business,” Rodgers said. “There’s a lot of us kind of older guys who play a decent amount, who they might want to see some younger guys play. Hopefully, we don’t have to have that conversation. But if that conversation comes up, you know, I’ll approach that with an open mind, and without any bitterness or resentment.
“Obviously, like I said, I want to win out and then we don’t have to have those conversations. But, you know, I understand if we don’t, that it’s a possibility to have that conversation.”
Rodgers, 38, is guaranteed $59.5 million for next season, limiting the Packers’ options for the short term. Long term, Love, 24, still might be Rodgers’ replacement, which was the expectation when the team traded up to select him 26th overall in the 2020 draft.
Love has made just one NFL start, when Rodgers sat out a game in November 2021 due to a positive test for COVID-19. In nine NFL games overall, including three brief appearances this year, Love has completed 60 percent of his passes for 597 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions.
Rodgers has connected on 64.8 percent of his passes this year for 2,682 yards and 21 touchdowns with nine interceptions — his highest interception total in 12 years.
–Field Level Media