Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers continues to be linked with not only a trade elsewhere, but a speedy return to Lambeau Field, and the 39-year-old has claimed that the rumours are "interesting".
It was an underwhelming season for Rodgers and the Packers franchise, as even after they recovered from an awful run of form, they still managed to throw away their play-off chances on the final day of the regular season. The Packers just needed to beat the already eliminated Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field, but lost to end their season early.
Rodgers fuelled speculation by claiming he was going to 'take time' to decide his future, with his contract with the Packers not containing a no-trade clause. But despite all links surrounding his immediate future, he's said that current conversations aren't involving him.
"It sounds like there’s already conversations going on that aren’t involving me, which are interesting," Rodgers said on the Pat McAfee Show. Rodgers is still taking his time to make a decision over his future, but added: "I’m not a part of those conversations right now."
Rodgers still has two years left on his $150 million contract extension that was signed last March. It's unlikely that Rodgers could retire early due to the amount of money that's guaranteed on the table, but that doesn't mean he will see out his deal with the Packers.
The quarterback admitted that "it could be time to step away" when asked about his future at the end of the season, but still has his heart set on winning another MVP award. On an earlier episode of the Pat McAfee Show, he said: "Do I still think I can play? Of course.
"Can I play at a high level? Yeah. 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 I don't think you should shut down any opportunity. But like I said during the season, it's got to be both sides actually wanting to work together moving forward."
The main team Rodgers has been linked with a trade to are the New York Jets, and it looks like they're doing everything they can to make a trade an attractive proposition for Rodgers. Not only has head coach Robert Saleh admitted they're looking for a "veteran quarterback", they've also hired former Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
Hackett was the Packers offensive coordinator between 2019-2021, and worked very closely with Rodgers while he scooped up another MVP award. He wants to win another, and could lead a stacked Jets roster.
The main issue at the Jets is in the quarterback position, and while their long-term trust is in Zach Wilson, they want a veteran to mentor him. Rodgers could be the guy, although according to the iconic no.12, he has not held conversations just yet.
