Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will make a decision on his future here within the next three weeks. The reigning NFL MVP hinted at the franchise tag timeline for a decision. Teams can start placing said tag on players February 22.
As you likely alread know, rumors have persisted for the better part of the past calendar year that Rodgers wants out of dodge. A perceived rift with the organization over the direction of the Packers acts as a backdrop here. Meanwhile, another playoff departure at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers seemingly expedited Rodgers’ departure after 17 brilliant seasons.
We’re now hearing more on this courtesy of the Packers’ camp. General manager Brian Gutekunst currently has no plans to trade Aaron Rodgers and plan on giving him space as the future Hall of Famer makes his decision.
“I’m told the Packers brass has been adamant, both publicly and privately, that they want Aaron Rodgers back and that they’re all on the same page. GM Brian Gutekunst has expressed that to Rodgers. Head coach Matt LeFleur has expressed that to Rodgers. They’ve been out full front and in public about that, but also I’ve been told they’ve had some meetings with Rodgers, but it’s been, you know, not too intense yet.”
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Sunday (h/t Bleacher Report)
In reality, this might not be up to the Packers. They came to some sort of an agreement ahead of the 2021 season to work with Rodgers on a potential trade if the multi-time NFL MVP decided he wanted out.
However, things might not be as bleak between the two sides as first imagined.
Related: Aaron Rodgers and NFL’s highest-paid QBs
Green Bay Packers doing everything possible to keep Aaron Rodgers
As we noted recently, the Packers are preparing a monster contract offer for Rodgers this offseason. It would be a way to appeal to his bottom line. The star signal caller is currently playing under a below-market four-year, $134 million deal.
To put this into perspective, it’s the same contract struggling Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff inked when he was a member of the Los Angeles Rams.
Whether backing up the Brinks Truck for Rodgers would be enough to appease him remains to be seen. There’s an obvious disconnect between the quarterback and his organization. Following their loss to the 49ers in the NFC Division Playoffs, the Packers privately expressed optimism that Rodgers will return to Green Bay for an 18th season.
Rodgers, 38, remained back in Green Bay after the aforementioned loss to plot a future under Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. Hence, the optimism on this front.
As for Rodgers, he noted recently that everything remains on the table.
“Everything is definitely on the table. There are things that seem more plausible or more likely, which I won’t necessarily get into. The most important thing is, first, the commitment to playing and to go into the offseason and training and all that’s stuff. And then after that it’s conversations with my agent and (Packers general manager) Brian (Gutekunst) and then looking at the desires of the team and kind of the mindset moving forward, and then make a decision from there.”
Aaron Rodgers in late January
Related: Updated NFL trade rumors
Potential Aaron Rodgers trade scenarios
Something will come up in this regard within the next few weeks. Rodgers boasts an absurd $46.6 million cap hit for the 2022 season. For their part, the Packers are an estimated $46.38 million over the cap and have to think about re-signing star free agent Davante Adams. That’s why Rodgers’ self-imposed February 22 deadline is a date to watch.
As for teams who might be a best fit for Rodgers, Denver Broncos general manager George Paton has been chasing after him for the past calendar year. Denver’s decision to hire former Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett recently added another layer to this. If Rodgers does move on from Green Bay, the Broncos remain favorites to land him.
However, there wouldn’t be a shortage of interest in the quarterback. That could include the Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders, Washington Commanders and New Orleans Saints.
Stay tuned. This promises to get interesting over the next couple weeks.