Speaking at the Packers’ mandatory minicamp Tuesday, quarterback Aaron Rodgers affirmed that he will see out the rest of his playing career in Green Bay.
“Yes, definitely,” Rodgers said, reportedly adding with a smile, “Unless they trade me.”
It represents a stark change of circumstances in Green Bay after Rodgers was at odds with the Packers for much of 2021. Reports leaked ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft that he had told some people in the organization that he would not play for them again. He held out from mandatory minicamp this time last year.
After he reached an agreement with the organization to return to the team, Rodgers led the Packers to a 13-4 season. After they lost in the divisional round of the playoffs, he indicated that he hadn’t made up his mind whether to return, retire or demand a trade.
Instead, Rodgers and the Packers agreed to a contract extension last March worth $150 million over three years.
Rodgers said he was “100 percent invested” for the 2022 season and didn’t want to put a number to how many more seasons he had left in him.
“If you say I’m for sure playing two more, three years and then you have a magical season that ends with a championship and think that that might be the best way to ride off, I don’t want to commit to something,” Rodgers said. “You say, I’m only playing one more year and you have a bitter taste in your mouth and still got the drive and the passion to play one or two more years, I just don’t want to get pigeonholed into it.”
Rodgers will have to adjust to life without star wide receiver Davante Adams, whom the Packers traded to the Las Vegas Raiders this spring. He said he was glad to meet rookie receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs for the first time Tuesday.
Rodgers will practice with the team Wednesday and Thursday but not return for next week’s voluntary organized team activities.
“(The Packers have) been great about me taking care of myself the way I best need to,” Rodgers said. “Obviously, it’s worked out the last couple years by my play, and I expect nothing less.”
–Field Level Media