Aaron Rodgers has yet to make a decision on whether he wants to play in 2022 and if he would do so in Green Bay. The Packers, however, know exactly what they want.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said on “SportsCenter” Sunday that the Packers have been “adamant” both privately and publicly that they want Rodgers back next season. Both head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst have made that clear to Rodgers. The two sides have met since the end of the season, but Fowler notes that the Packers want to give their MVP space.
“It’s my sense that the Packers are going to give Rodgers space a little bit, kind of like they did last year. You know, they wanted to let him kind of shake out his future, shape his future,” Fowler said, as transcribed by Bleacher Report’s Tyler Conway. “They know that he has options because this is a guy with one year left, one true year at $46 million in salary cap hit in 2022. So, if he stays, they most likely have to redo his contract. And asking around, even dating back to last offseason when things were crazy, not once did I ever hear that the Packers had hard plans to trade Aaron Rodgers. So, they’re trying to keep a united front and the same message right now that they did last year.”
As Fowler mentioned, Rodgers would undoubtedly need a new contract if he wants to stay. The Packers restructured his deal last offseason in a way that all but guaranteed he could walk if he chose to. They have some serious salary cap issues to address, especially with another star player seeking a huge new deal.
There was a point last year when it seemed like Rodgers had made up his mind about leaving Green Bay. He may have given an indication recently that he feels differently.
Rodgers is the favorite to win a second consecutive NFL MVP award. The 38-year-old threw for 4,115 yards, 37 touchdowns and four interceptions this season. He has certainly shown no signs of slowing down.
Photo: Oct 28, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
