[brid autoplay=”true” video=”775940″ player=”23231″ title=”Aaron%20Rodgers%20likelier%20to%20sit%20out%202021%20season%20than%20play%20for%20Green%20Bay%20Packers” duration=”78″ description=”Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers proved in 2020 that he can still play at an elite level, winning his third NFL MVP award. With the 2021 NFL season approaching, the league’s top quarterback might be sitting out.” uploaddate=”2021-05-03″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/thumb/775940_t_1620068658.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/sd/775940.mp4″]
Could Aaron Rodgers retire before the first Green Bay Packers’ training camp practice?
At least one Las Vegas sportsbook has a hunch such an announcement will occur, according to SI.com.
Westgate SuperBook has removed projected wins, playoff odds, division odds and weekly lines for all four NFC North teams, according to SI. The publication cited its information as coming from an oddsmaker at the sportsbook.
Rodgers hasn’t announced his plans, but the actions of Westgate and the feeling that other Vegas sportsbooks will follow in a similar manner have raised eyebrows.
Not to be overlooked is that Vegas oddsmakers have sources everywhere and often gain information well before the general public.
According to SI.com, multiple sportsbooks are in agreement that Rodgers will retire prior to Green Bay’s first practice on Wednesday. SI said one sportsbook lessened the odds of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to win MVP honors.
Also, Pro Football Talk reports that DraftKings and PointsBet have removed the Packers from over-under victories wagers.
None of the reports mention the potential of Rodgers continuing his holdout or being dealt to another team. Uncertainty surrounding either of those outcomes could also alter betting.
Rodgers has a base salary of $14.7 million for this season and would miss out on a $6.8 million roster bonus if he doesn’t report. The 37-year-old quarterback also would have to repay an $11.5 million signing bonus.
That puts a net $33 million in play per a Rodgers decision. That doesn’t include money in 2022 and 2023 when his base salaries are $25 million each season as part of the four-year, $134 million deal.
Rodgers has been in a rift with Packers’ upper management since the team drafted quarterback Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Rodgers stepped up his play last season and won NFL MVP honors and hinted after the NFC Championship Game loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that he might be one of the players that wouldn’t be back in 2021.
His dispute with the Packers became more tense and more public throughout the offseason.
The Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings are the other teams in the NFC North.
–Field Level Media