As is often the case with veteran performers, especially those filling a quarterback berth, the seemingly yearly discussion about Aaron Rodgers’ future intentions is now in full swing. Will he, won’t he head into retirement? If he extends his playing career, which roster will he form part of in 2023?
The list of questions for an all-time great is as long as the one detailing his remarkable achievements over the course of a glittering and record-setting career. As things stand, there are not nearly as many answers.
While AR12 will forever be associated with the Green Bay Packers, having been taken by them with the 24th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, there are no guarantees that his sporting fairytale will end where it began.
For now, he remains part of Matt LaFleur’s thinking, with a lucrative three-year contract signed in March 2022, but said terms may be broken just 12 months later. With Super Bowl LVII consigned to the history books, attention is beginning to shift towards the next bid for world championship glory.
Proven
12#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/WPIX6NmzQC
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 21, 2022
Rodgers may have a role to play in that somewhere, with there enough speculation around to suggest that he could be heading east to New York, or maybe even Boston. The New York Jets and New England Patriots can both consider themselves to need a proven performer under center that will help to bring stability and reliability to what has become a problematic position.
Neither will figure prominently in many predictions being drawn up at this stage, but time is on their side – as it is with the Packers – when it comes to piecing together a competitive squad and earning favor among pundits and punters.
Unlike in Wisconsin, where only a select few outlets boast legalized gambling, Massachusetts sports betting is in full swing, with Pats fans longing for somebody other than Bill Belichick on which to hang their hopes and hat. Online sports betting is expected to launch in early March, a month on from the latest Super Bowl party, with the likes of DraftKings and FanDuel readying registration offers and bonuses that could appeal to those playing the long game when it comes to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.
Along with guides, there are reviews and other details are up for grabs, as contenders are separated from pretenders. Fantasy Sports sites from ESPN and Yahoo are also likely to prove popular as fan bases that stretch from one coast to the other are eager to ensure that they are fully plugged into the action on any given Sunday.
Rodgers, if he decides to helmet up for at least one more campaign, can expect to figure as prominently in the thoughts of fantasy and online coaches as he does real-life ones, despite an uncharacteristic dip in lofty standards being endured last time out.
In 2022, he threw for the fewest yards (3,695) across any season in which he played at least 15 games while posting more interceptions (12) than he has in the last decade. Fitness issues, such as a broken thumb and rib complaints, also held him back at times.
Rodgers’ pedigree remains of obvious appeal, though, with Jets owner Woody Johnson conceding that he is looking for a “missing piece” in the Big Apple that a veteran QB would provide. Meanwhile, Tom Brady – fresh from hanging up his own cleats for the last time – has expressed a desire to see Rodgers play on, saying: “I think the league needs good quarterbacks, and he’s one of the greats. So if he retires, it’ll be a sad day for the league.”
Decision
More moments like this. 🤟@AaronRodgers12 | @packers pic.twitter.com/O2U5aBKPLF
— NFL (@NFL) March 8, 2022
No decision has been taken as yet, with Rodgers leaving the door open for any eventuality – be that staying put or spreading his wings. He has said when asked if a parting of ways could be in the cards in Green Bay: “If they feel like it was in the best interests of the team to move forward, so be it. Again, that wouldn’t offend me, and it wouldn’t make me feel like a victim. I wouldn’t have any animosity towards the team. I love the organization, I love the city, I love the region. I have a lot of love for what’s gone on in Green Bay. And I’d love to finish there, I would. I might have finished there. Who knows?”
Rodgers has also said that “the grass is green where you water it”, as he attempts to steer around any debate regarding the risks that would be involved in a potential change of scenery, with everything being done to avoid committing fully to any big call. One will have to be made at some stage, and it remains to be seen whether that offers cause for optimism at Lambeau Field or an entirely new home.
According to Aaron Rodgers, Big Pharma is out to ruin his good name. No Erin, you’ve done that all by yourself when you spew every right wing conspiracy theory on the internet. How can he rationalize playing for Woody Johnson in NY and still preach the evils of Big Pharma? No conflicts of principles there. Sounds like management has made their decision and they didn’t have to go on a “dark retreat” to get an answer. It’s Jordan Love time. The only remaining question is trade or retirement.
And now Tom Silverstein is reporting that a colleague of Brian Gutekunst told him that the Packer GM said it’s time to move on and start Jordan Love. First it’s Bob McGinn and now Tom Silverstein. Why would anyone listen to these two, right ladies? McGinn only covered the team for 40 years while Silverstein has been the Packer beat writer for the last 30 plus seasons. I say bullshit to their sources! I’m gonna go with Kevin’s feminine intuition here and say Erin will be our QB forever and ever!
Big Bob McGinn here again.
Tom Silverstein is a hack.
We both got fired from the Journal/Sentinel, but he couldn’t carry my jock.
Here’s how Tom thinks.
“Gee, Bob just got his name credited 10,000 times, i’m gonna get in on some this” – Tom
Big Tom is trying to piggyback my shining moment by bringing up Rodgers, as he pitifully “recalls”, what some “colleague” said, that someone else might have said, sometime last year.
C’mon Tom, can you be anymore transparent trying to “get in the game”?
Below is the smartest thing Tom ever wrote, citing how Rodgers once again has Packer management bent over dry.
“The Packers first must find out what Rodgers wants to do: return, retire, or ask for a trade. The Packers have no choice from a salary cap position to deny Rodgers a chance to return for the ’23 season, and so Gutekunst will have to embrace the possibility Love will sit on the bench for a fourth straight year.” – Tom “Bonecrusher” Silverstein.
https://youtu.be/Z0YIJQ1jgEI
Couldn’t resist this classic line.
One of my all time favorites Mitch! Bob, how come your email address is the same as Kevin’s? You’ll be happy to know Kevin, the other Tom, Pelissero that is, is reporting that “the Packers are open to Rodgers return provided he buys in and participates in the off season program.” Does this get your panties wet? Translation, Gutekunst is saying, “it’s my way or the highway.” That means say goodbye to your buddies and the QB competition is wide open. And before you say he’ll easily beat out Jordan Love, put in the tape of either Lions game and marvel as Little Erin puts on a master class on how to fuck up a game. Still not convinced? Rewatch the 49er playoff game from a year ago. A game that would make even the mighty Kirk Cousins blush.
Gutekunst is saying, “it’s my way or the highway.”
I heard you were a funny guy Tom. I fell off my chair laughing.
Could you imagine…
Gutekunst presenting Rodgers with the Packers fully guaranteed offer of 101 million over the 1st two years of a new contract last March, saying to Rodgers, Sign this and have a fully guaranteed 42 million in 2022 and 59 million in 2023 or else!!
“It’s my way or the Highway!! – Gute
That’s good stuff Tom, keep it up.
Lol, Gute sure is laying down the law isn’t he. When Love wins that QB competition Gute is gonna prove to the rest of the league how smart he is while paying Rodgers $59 million to sit the bench.
On the next episode of the Twilight Zone…
Gute: I can’t help you Aaron, Love beat you out fair and square….
Ok, i can’t even write fake fiction like that without feeling my head literally losing brain cells. It’s a weird feeling, where i can feel and hear my brain cells being crunched to powder. It feels like i’m eating Capt’n Crunch inside my head and i can literally feel myself getting dumber.
I’m now starting to understand how Tom M feels.
It somehow makes me sad for him.
Please, somebody, anybody, make it stop!! 😨
Hey Kevin! If you’re going to pretend to be a journalist, at least be the attractive Lori Nickel. But I get it, you’re into dudes hence the Erin love fest. I’m not here to judge. Whatever floats your boat. So that’s your best argument you two? Little Erin starts because of money? Not because he gives us the best chance to win? I’m going to let you in on a little news flash “Bob.” The QB that gives us the best chance to win, not who has the biggest paycheck starts. You might want to plan on benching little Erin against those two Detroit games next season And while you’re at it, any playoff games as well. That is, if you want to win.
I’m going to let you in on a little news flash “Bob.” – Tom M.
****************
Let me see if i can guess…..
Royce Newman is a 10 year starter?
Jordan Love got his 5th year option guaranteed before he got to Green Bay?
Preston Smith will get double digit sacks and be a Pro Bowler?
Rodgers will never win a Super Bowl?
Mark Murphy was an NFLPA attorney?
Rodgers is following Hackett to Denver and we can take that to the bank?
Rodgers is going to retire?
Jordan Love will be starting next season while Rodgers sits on the bench?
*************
Were still trying to wrap our brains around those “insider” quotes from you, plus many more.
Ah hell, go ahead and give us some more news flashes Tom M.
They can’t be any dumber than the others right?
Well, lets hold off answering that until we see your next comment.
Recent Packer history says they will play the guy that makes the most money, not who gives them the best chance to win.
It’s now being reported that the New York Jets prefer Derek Carr over Aaron Rodgers. And why wouldn’t they? Cheaper and no drama. Now, it could all be posturing on the Jets, but it’s not like Rodgers doesn’t carry significant baggage. I just don’t see his New Age/internet conspiracy theory persona meshing with no nonsense New Yorkers. He’ll be as out of place as Brett Favre and his country bumpkin, I’m just playing ball and having fun, mentality when he was a member of the Jets. There just might not be much of a market for your hero, Kevin. Sure Davante Adams wants him in Vegas but I’ve never heard Mark Davis or Josh McDaniels utter a peep about Wisconsin’s very own goat. We might be stuck with him. Oh, what sweet rapture!
The problem Arch, is everyone got a nice new contract because of the previous successful three seasons. Everyone gets a mulligan for last season. It’s hard to win in the NFL. Injuries, the ball doesn’t bounce your way, and the next thing you know you’re 8-9 and on the outside looking in come playoffs. The hot seat gets considerably warmer if the Packers miss the playoffs again next year for both Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst. To think they’ll start Aaron Rodgers just because he’s making 60 million or because he’s the sentimental favorite among a select number of fans is nonsense. They have to win now. And If they think Jordan Love gives the Packers the best chance they won’t hesitate to bench Aaron Rodgers. On Rodgers best days last season he was no better than average. While he was down right awful in some games. I have no doubt Rodgers prefers to come back next season. The question now becomes, can he play well enough to keep Jordan Love on the bench. If he plays like last year, the answer is no. If he can play like he did two years ago the answer is maybe. If Rodgers comes back and he’s wrong, then he finishes his career on the bench. Something I’m sure he wants to avoid. These are the questions he’s struggling with…..
Yea….that’s what Rodgers is struggling with…..
Worrying that he might be benched for Jordan Love.
Because…you KNOW what he’s struggling with.
I’m new here, but it’s not hard to understand why nobody wants you here.