Jordan Love might have improved in Year 3, but an overall “exhaustion” of Aaron Rodgers is also playing a leading role in the Green Bay Packers’ desire to move on from their future Hall of Fame quarterback and begin anew with Love, according to new reporting from Michael Silver of Bally Sports.
Silver pointed to Rodgers’ “high-maintenance persona” and “low commitment leadership over the last 12 months” as reasons for the exhaustion, and Silver reported the Packers believe Rodgers “checked out” after signing a record-breaking extension last March.
After finishing 8-9 in 2022, the Packers have remained non-committal about Rodgers returning since the start of the offseason. The team is being respectful of Rodgers’ time away and personal need to decide his own future, but it’s becoming increasingly clear, given all the reporting around the situation, that the team isn’t banking on Rodgers returning and may even be plotting a divorce.
Silver didn’t go that far in his reporting but said the Packers won’t be begging Rodgers to return, although the organization would be receptive if Rodgers is ready to go “all in” on his end.
The 39-year-old quarterback didn’t participate during the offseason workout program last year despite the Packers losing Davante Adams and drafting three rookie receivers. The team wanted a bigger commitment from Rodgers but had no power to force the issue given the mandatory nature of the program.
Rodgers suffered through two different injuries and overall inconsistency during a frustrating 2022 season in which he finished with career-lows in several statistical categories.
Silver predicts that the Packers and Rodgers will breakup at some point this offseason. The New York Jets remain the top trade option in Silver’s mind, especially after Derek Carr decided on the New Orleans Saints as his next team on Monday.
