There’s no question that Aaron Rodgers has been the face of the Packers’ franchise since taking over as starting quarterback in 2008. In fact, he’s only had two losing seasons since and went 26-6 over the past two years. Despite the three league MVPs and a Super Bowl title, the Packers and Rodgers now appear to be at a crossroads. Many fans, including the world of online sports betting, are eagerly waiting for the conclusion.
The 37-year-old Rodgers turned down a two-year contract extension, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Sources indicated that the extension would have kept Rodgers with the Packers through the 2025 season and made him the highest paid player in the entire league. To be clear, there is still plenty of doubt surrounding this information.
Three months ago, it was made known through sources to Schefter that Rodgers had become disgruntled with the Packers’ management.
Therefore, his return to the team seemed precarious at best. Nevertheless, the Packers have always maintained that they would not trade Rodgers.
On Rodgers’ end, he has stood firm and didn’t show up to voluntary OTAs for the first time since entering the NFL in 2005. With training camp set to begin in a week, the situation becomes more dire for the Packers with every passing day.
It appears that the Packers trading up in 2020 to draft quarterback Jordan Love without telling Rodgers has been a major issue for him. Rodgers has been steadfast that his issue has nothing to do with the pick itself, but with about the organization doing things the right way.
As much as Rodgers saying it isn’t about picking Love, it really is. You think Rodgers would care if the wasn’t told that the team was trading up to select a receiver or running back? It’s clearly about the team drafting a potential replacement for Rodgers without letting him know. Despite the fact that Rodgers is still at the top of his game, he will turn 38 in December and sooner rather than later the Packers need to think about a replacement.
For Rodgers to turn down a deal that would make him the highest paid player in the league isn’t a good sign that he’ll return to Green Bay. Although away from the team, he’s kept busy, fine tuning his golf game in a made-for-TV charity event and the Celebrity Championship at Lake Tahoe. In addition, he’s made guest hosting appearances on Jeopardy!, all ways to keep the proper frame of mind.
Picturing Rodgers in another uniform is difficult, but the longer he remains unsigned, the more likely it could become a reality. If that is the case, a new era of Packers football is right around the corner.