Over the past few weeks, the football world has wondered what Aaron Rodgers’ next move would be. As speculation grew around a potential future with Davante Adams and the Las Vegas Raiders or with Nathaniel Hackett and the New York Jets, Rodgers kept quiet about any plans in Green Bay. Well, mostly, anyway.
It looks like we’re finally getting some clarity.
According to a report from ESPN’s Jeff Darlington on Get Up, people thought way too much of a reality where Rodgers doesn’t wear the Packers’ famous green and gold. In fact, as Darlington notes, when taking his current contract situation into account — Rodgers will have a $31.6 million cap hit in 2023, per Over The Cap — all of the conversations about him playing elsewhere have been “overhyped.”
When all is said and done, he will reportedly come back to play with the Packers in 2023, per Darlington. (Meanwhile, the also-mentioned Jets will seemingly have to settle for “first-ballot Hall of Famer” Derek Carr.)
Huh. Too much was made of a prolific Packers quarterback playing elsewhere at the tail end of their career? You don’t say!
You're going to want to hear what @JeffDarlington said this morning on @GetUpESPN re: Aaron Rodgers returning to the Packers.⁰
(I believe @TomPelissero also said something similar on @richeisen's show). pic.twitter.com/PZBk6YC0GI— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) February 22, 2023
It’s not as if Rodgers didn’t directly feed this rampant discussion about his future by himself. Earlier this month, the four-time MVP professed he’d go on a “darkness retreat” to help him contemplate a decision. So it’s only natural people could leap to the conclusion he was still undecided with such news on the plate. (Note: The Packers were/are reportedly willing to facilitate a trade of Rodgers, should he desire it.)
If this latest report is any indication, it looks like said retreat pointed the QB back toward Wisconsin. Go figure. The 39-year-old established player in a relatively stable situation probably doesn’t want to walk away from nearly $60 million in yearly cash.
This does create questions about what the Packers would do with Jordan Love moving forward. They drafted Love in the first round in 2020, and he would enter his fourth NFL season with a mere 83 career pass attempts. For now, it seems like the Green Bay powers that be could be taking a “we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it” approach.
As the latest tiring Rodgers saga appears to finally be winding down, next you’ll tell me he’ll likely pull this kind of will-he-won’t-he stunt again next year.
Wait. No. I take that back. Because it probably will happen again!
This was how Twitter reacted to the news Rodgers will reportedly stay with the Packers in 2023
He just wants to be the center of attention every year. 🤷🏻♀️ https://t.co/jxDCOpyaPK
— Michelle (@_lafilleennoir) February 22, 2023
Jordan Love pick looks worse and worse https://t.co/7aXsI9LNWA
— Fraye (@brandonfraye) February 22, 2023
Aaron Rodgers will be back with the #Packers. He got everything he wanted from the franchise. LaFleur, Gutekunst, and Murphy are terrified of life after 12. They will never trade him. https://t.co/sY1K8d537G
— Faisal Hassan (@Faazzla) February 22, 2023
I'm so over this https://t.co/s4ByPCW25u
— 🏀 Brooke (fan account) ⚾️ 🥎 (@_Brooke22) February 22, 2023
If Aaron Rodgers returns to the Packers for the 2023 season then just count me out man https://t.co/LOsoP1kzK6
— Drew Beringer (@drewberinger) February 22, 2023
Unfortunately, Rodgers returning to the #Packers is what I've been thinking for the past week or so. That would be incredibly disappointing but not at all surprising. https://t.co/ylemdbYO7C
— Michael Rodney (@PackersNotes) February 22, 2023
Fire Gute before the offseason if Rodgers is back then because the 2020 draft and never doing anything to improve the O is firable. He’s let the offense get worse. https://t.co/jWVeYxTxb2
— Shea (@SheaaMichael) February 22, 2023
Oh my god, imagine being the Packers and actually wanting this guy back https://t.co/Jyujn597Fv
— Cameron (@forkboy84) February 22, 2023
This isn’t surprising at all. His contract is enormous, he would cost draft capital, he’s on the downside of his career, and he’s an eternal weirdo. Just stay in GB and keep losing in the playoffs. https://t.co/eB4O6y6pur
— Randy Wilkins (@pamsson) February 22, 2023
Translation: Packers not getting trade compensation that they are looking for. https://t.co/F7nOA5m65P
— Let's Talk Jets! (@TalkJetsRadio) February 22, 2023
Jordan Love must not be as good as they thought he would be when they drafted him https://t.co/B3Cv4gl9EJ
— Qamar Lewis (@QLovesMT) February 22, 2023
If true we once again waste our time talking about Rodgers in the offseason https://t.co/4Y27jE0hq7
— Joe Tusio (@joetusio) February 22, 2023
