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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers reported to training camp with the rest of his team earlier this week, ending months of prolonged drama between the two sides. At least, for now.
Rodgers decision to report comes after an offseason of trade rumors and absences from Green Bay’s organized team activities defined the spring and summer. It also comes after the two sides agreed to a contract restructure that presumably enables Rodgers to pick where he wants to play in 2022.
In speaking to the media from the site of Green Bay’s training camp, Rodgers attempted to clarify that last point.
That’s a rather interesting development in that it was reported earlier this week Rodgers would be able to pick and choose where he heads in 2022 should he opt not to return to Green Bay. Remember, his contract voids following the 2022 season under the terms of the aforementioned restructure.
In terms of whether he thought about just hanging the cleats up, Rodgers was pretty clear in his answer to that question.
“Yeah, it was definitely something I thought about.”
Aaron Rodgers on retirement
Rodgers also touched on what led to the split between the quarterback and his longtime Packers organization. It was not all about Green Bay trading up for Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. From a broader perspective, he’s upset about not being involved in player personnel decisions.
“This wasn’t a Draft day thing. It started with a conversation in February. I just expressed my desire to be involved in conversations directly affecting my job,” the future Hall of Famer said.
Rodgers was also incredibly critical of the Packers’ front office, led by embattled general manager Brian Gutekunst.
Where Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers stand
Based on the tone of the press conference, it’s rather clear that the media was not hyping up this story. Rodgers went a good five minutes at the start of his presser, airing grievances line by line. It was almost like his version of Festivus.
The reigning NFL MVP also didn’t have much to say about whether he will be with Green Bay beyond the 2021 season.
“I don’t know. There’s going to be a lot of tough decisions at the end of this year. I’m just going to focus on enjoying this year,” Rodgers said.
The good news here is that Aaron Rodgers is in camp and prepared to be under center when Green Bay opens its season against the New Orleans Saints. The bad news? Not everything seems to be resolved at this point.