Green Bay Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy told ESPN’s Dianna Russini that there isn’t a deadline for a decision from quarterback Aaron Rodgers on his football future but both sides would prefer something is decided before the start of free agency.
The new league year begins Tuesday, March 15.
“There hasn’t been a deadline,” Murphy told Russini on Thursday night. “We both realize, the sooner the decision is made the better. Brian Gutekunst, the GM, has been in regular contact with him. I think Aaron has expressed that he doesn’t want to drag it on.”
Murphy confirmed he thinks now to the start of free agency is a reasonable window for a decision to be made. On several occasions, Rodgers has said he won’t hold the team hostage by delaying a decision on his future.
Rodgers is attempting to determine if he wants to continue playing football for the Packers, retire from the NFL altogether or figure out a way with the Packers to orchestrate a trade out of Green Bay. Following the Super Bowl, Rodgers is embarking on a four-day, four-night darkness retreat featuring sensory deprivation that he believes will help him come to a final decision.
The Packers have 18 free agents, including several with close ties to Rodgers, so knowing the quarterback’s decision before other roster decisions must be made will be an important step in the offseason process. More than likely, the Packers have established two very different plans based on whether or not Rodgers is back in 2023.
Here’s the interview clip from Russini:
#Packers President Mark Murphy on Rodgers.
“There hasn’t been a deadline. The sooner the decision is made, the better. Gutekunst has been in contact with him. Aaron has expressed that he doesn’t want to drag it.
You’re hoping maybe by the start of March?
Yes around free agency. pic.twitter.com/kJwIcsHD2p— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) February 10, 2023
