Green Bay Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy went on record Friday to talk about the Aaron Rodgers situation with just a few days to go before the start of NFL free agency.
Speaking with local journalist Nick Tabbert of WQOW News in Wisconsin, Murphy confirmed that Green Bay gave Rodgers permission to talk with the New York Jets. The front office head also indicated that the Packers will grant Rodgers’ trade request if that’s something he wants. The one caveat here is that Murphy wants a resolution before the official start of the new league year on Wednesday.
When asked if there’s a scenario in which Rodgers will be back with the Packers for a 19th season, Murphy’s response was interesting:
“Yeah, I mean unless, if things don’t work out the way we want them, yeah, we would. He is obviously a great player,” Packers CEO on Aaron Rodgers potentially returning.
All of this comes after the four-time NFL MVP met with the New York Jets’ brass in California earlier this week. New York is confident that a trade will come to fruition. It also appears that the team has agreed on compensation heading back to Green Bay, which would include a first-round pick and change.
Of course, this is all dependent on Rodgers actually deciding against retirement. The future Hall of Famer had entered a darkness retreat earlier this offseason in order to help make a decision about his future.
- Aaron Rodgers stats: 65.3% completion, 59,055 yards, 475 TD, 105 INT
To say that Rodgers would be a marked upgrade over Zach Wilson in Jersey would be an understatement. In fact, multiple star Jets players have taken to social media to recruit Rodgers to the east coast.
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From Green Bay’s perspective, it has been reported multiple times that it would prefer Rodgers to either retire or officially request a trade. The team is fully prepared to move forward with young quarterback Jordan Love as its starting quarterback. Murphy’s comments on Friday does nothing to dispel this notion.
At issue here is Rodgers’ contract situation. Green Bay won’t release him outright in that it would create an absolutely ridiculous $99.78 million dead cap hit. The team also wants a nice return for one of the greatest quarterbacks in modern NFL history.
Unfortunately, the Packers need Aaron Rodgers’ help to facilitate a trade. He’ll need to restructure his contract in order to make it work.
Time is running out on this front. Rodgers needs to make a decision in short order.