Aaron Rodgers returned to The Pat McAfee Show today after missing last week due to meetings with the Green Bay Packers front office. Of course, one of the first things he was asked was how far along he was in the process of deciding whether or not he wanted to come back in 2023. To that Rodgers responded, “We had all the conversations we wanted to have about football for now. They’re not pressing for any type of specific answer and I’m not mentally or emotionally at that point to give one.”
This is fair, of course, as he just finished his 18th season in the NFL. It was an up-and-down season with the Packers finishing 8-9. Rodgers played for half of the season with a broken thumb on his throwing hand, which contributed to his decline from MVP form. That being said, Rodgers did state that he believes he can still play at a high level.
Aaron Rodgers: “There Has to Be Mutual Interest”
Over the course of the past couple of season, Aaron Rodgers has used the word “mutual” to describe what needs to happen in order to guarantee his return to the Green Bay Packers. As mentioned earlier, Rodgers is not ready to commit to a full season yet. That does not mean he will not get there; it just means he has to determine whether or not he wants to put his body and mind through the grind of another NFL season. He did say, however, that if he does decide come back, the Packers front office needs to have a mutual attitude regarding it.
In other words, Rodgers desires for the Packers front office to want him to come back. Both general manager Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur have both stated that they want Rodgers back next season. One has to wonder, therefore, why Rodgers keeps using the word “mutual” in his discussions on the future. It certainly sounds like the Packers coaches and front office want him back. However, the way he talks about it, there seems to be a question in his mind as to whether or not they want him back.
It seems like there is something that is not being said, whether it is by the Packers organization or Aaron Rodgers.
“I Could Win MVP Again”
Of course, the future of Aaron Rodgers has not yet been determined. The question is whether he will come back or not. In Rodgers’ mind, though, there is no question that he can come back and compete at a high level. His former teammate AJ Hawk asked him how he was doing physically and if he felt he could still play at a high level. Rodgers responded, “I could win MVP again, in the right situation. Right situation. Is that in Green Bay or somewhere else? I am not sure.”
One has to love the confidence with which Aaron Rodgers carries himself. However, his answer also is a sobering reminder that while he may come back to the NFL in 2023, there is a possibility that it is not with the Packers. In reference to the question about the word “mutual” above, perhaps the Packers will make the decision that it is time for Jordan Love to take over.
If that happens, and if Aaron Rodgers desires to play another season, there will be a trade. One thing Rodgers did make clear is that he has no interest in being part of a rebuild. The Packers’ offseason moves will be a major indicator on what their 2023 season will be like. Will they have a “rebuilding” year, or will they go all-in again?
Going into rebuild mode is going to guarantee Aaron Rodgers will not return next season.
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