The Aaron Rodgers situation in Green Bay is over a month old now but is no less fascinating. People are trying to figure out what the mercurial superstar quarterback is going to do. It’s clear a major rift exists between him and Packers management. The belief is he wants GM Brian Gutekunst gone. Something the organization in no way can grant. On the flip side, the Packers don’t seem at all interested in trading the reigning MVP. Thus the two sides appear locked in a standoff.
Which one will blink first? With it still being May, answers to that question aren’t likely forthcoming. Not until the end of July when training camp begins will people really know if Rodgers is serious. Based on the rumors to this point, the 38-year old remains completely immovable from his position. He either wants changes at the top or to be traded. So here’s the billion-dollar question.
What happens if he gets neither?
That is what insiders Mike Florio and Peter King of NBC Sports discussed on a recent program of Pro Football Talk. Florio continues to hear that the divide between the two sides is as wide as ever. No signs of mending. He has no idea what is going to happen as the season draws closer. King agrees that it is difficult to predict, but he also made an interesting point. If certain opportunities were to come up, it’s possible Rodgers may decide to step away from football for the 2021 season.
Rodgers certainly doesn’t seem to be sweating the situation. He’s been busy living it up in Hawaii with his significant other and some friends. At this juncture, the idea of a year off from football might sound appealing to him. He wouldn’t be the first quarterback to do such a thing because of problems with team brass. Carson Palmer did the same thing in 2011. He “retired” because the Cincinnati Bengals refused to trade him. Eventually, the team granted his request and shipped him to the Raiders.
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Aaron Rodgers has many career prospects after football
Jeopardy is only the most prominent one. The gameshow still hasn’t settled on a permanent host to replace the iconic Alex Trebek. Rodgers did a fine job when hosting an episode earlier this year. He’s a huge fan of the series and would probably jump at the opportunity to host full-time. By that same token, the Jeopardy people would no doubt love somebody with his name recognition drawing new viewers to the show. It’s a potential win-win.
Then after a year, Aaron Rodgers will be able to make a decision. Stay retired and keep hosting or return to football. By that point, the Packers will almost certainly have moved on. He will either be traded or perhaps free to pick his own team. The man isn’t without leverage in this situation. He doesn’t need the money, having made well over a quarter billion dollars in his career. His Hall of Fame enshrinement is assured and he has a ring.
There really isn’t much Green Bay can offer him.
In his mind, they’re already preparing for life after him with the drafting of Jordan Love. So why should he play out the string any further? He’d rather go somewhere he’s wanted than stay somewhere he’s tolerated. The Packers had best hope Love becomes a success moving forward. Otherwise, they’ll be blasted by fans for having wasted the remaining great years of one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.