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Aaron Rodgers has had nine days to think about his future since Green Bay’s season came to an abrupt end in a week 18 home loss to the Lions. He needs more time before deciding what he wants to do in 2023.
Rodgers, who appeared with Pat McAfee and former teammate AJ Hawk, said he’s “not mentally or emotionally at this point” to make a decision about his future to make decisions about his future.
He hinted that after a few weeks he’ll be in “better shape” to start thinking about his future. For now, he said he has “a feeling” where he’s leaning.
Rodgers left Lambeau Field as if he wasn’t coming back. He spoke in his final press conference in a manner that suggested he might have played his last game with the Packers.
The options are pretty narrow: (1) play for the Packers; (2) play for someone else; or (3) retire.
He can retire without owing the Packers any money, but he would forego about $60 million in compensation in 2023. He could try to snag a trade with a new team if that team is willing to take on $60 million in financial liabilities. (The packers could pay part of the money to facilitate a trade.)
And while it appears he considered joining a new team in 2022 before deciding to stay there, he might decide to finally try elsewhere if he thinks he can find success in a new place can.
“Do I still think I can play?” Rodgers said. “Of course. Of course. Can I play at a high level? Yes, the highest. I think I can win MVP again in the right situation. Right situation, is that Green Bay or is that somewhere else, I’m not sure. But me don’t think you should rule out every opportunity. As I said during the season, it has to be on both sides that they actually want to work together to move forward and I think there’s more talks to come.”
He offered a pretty strong indication of what would make him not want to play for the Packers.
“I don’t think any player wants to be part of any rebuild,” Packers said. “I said that years ago. Reloads are a lot of fun because you feel like you’re close. You’re only a few boys away.”
So does he think the Packers are just a few guys away? Or will he be looking for a team just a man away like in him?
Rodgers will also be on the lookout for whether the Packers will bring back some of his favorite teammates. He mentioned tight end Marcedes Lewis, receiver Randall Cobb, tackle David Bakhtiari, receiver Allen Lazard and tight end Robert Tonyan.
“We’re going to see their desire to re-sign these certain guys who are ‘sticky’ guys in the locker room,” Rodgers said, later clarifying that Rodgers will have no interest in playing there if the Packers settle decide to rebuild.
Whatever he does, the decision will likely come early in the offseason, as was the case last year. The Packers need to know who their quarterback will be. And if Rodgers was playing for someone else, the sooner he makes that move, the better.
Wherever he goes (if he’s doing anything other than going home), he has to be all-in throughout the offseason program. His teammates, whether in Green Bay or elsewhere, need to make friends with him. He has to make friends with them.
In 2022, a line must be drawn between Rodgers’ absence and the rookie receivers taking a long time to become sufficiently comfortable. If he’s in (and he says if he’s in, he’ll be all-in), he has to be all-in.