Aaron Rodgers and Pat McAfee have established a well-known off-the-field relationship over the last few years. Aaron Rodgers has appeared almost weekly on The Pat McAfee Show for three years in a row. Rodgers has made it clear that he likes to go to one source regarding what he wants the media and public to know. He has also made it clear that he trusts Pat McAfee not to distort his words or post misleading headlines. Today, Pat McAfee shared a personal Aaron Rodgers update less than 24 hours before having him on Tuesday’s show.
Pat McAfee Shares Personal Aaron Rodgers Update
During his show on Monday, Pat McAfee revealed that even though Rodgers has emerged from his isolation retreat, he has not heard from the Green Bay Packers since before he went into the darkness retreat.
“I have not heard from Aaron Rodgers since he’s come out of the darkness,” McAfee said on his show on Monday. “A lot of people are sending us tweets … I did ask, [but] I did not get an answer. I hope he’s okay and congrats to him.”
“We might have gotten kicked out during the darkness,” McAfee. “The darkness might have eliminated us. If that is the case, hell of a run.”
Pat McAfee also went on to say: “I believe very strongly that if Aaron Rodgers wants to play in Green Bay he will.” Full video of The Pat McAfee Show yesterday:
"I believe very strongly that if Aaron Rodgers wants to play in Green Bay he will"@RapSheet #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/PTShCg5G4S
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 27, 2023
What’s Next For Aaron Rodgers?
It was March 8th, 2022 when Aaron Rodgers signed his massive three-year $150 million extension. It is widely assumed that Rodgers will make his decision on the 2023 season around the same time frame. Aaron Rodgers has specifically said that money won’t influence his decision when it comes to playing in 2023. However, it is hard to ignore the $59.5 million he is set to make next season should he choose to play. Many fans, coaches, and players have assumed that retirement is the least likely option for the four-time MVP quarterback.
While there have been speculations that a few teams around the league would be interested in trading for Aaron Rodgers, it would be easier said than done. The team acquiring Rodgers would be on the hook for his salary for the year. The cap charge would be $59,515,000 if they do not exercise his option and $15.79 million if they were to exercise the option.
Rodgers has an injury guarantee of $49.25 million for 2024 but that does not become fully guaranteed until 5 days after the 2023 Super Bowl. If Rodgers was cut after 2023 it would cost the team $43.725 million on the 2024 cap. If he retired they could split that as $14.575 million in 2024 and $29.15 million in 2025 using a similar June 2nd date as mentioned above in the retirement option.
There is one more factor in the Aaron Rodgers trade scenario. Aaron Rodgers does NOT have a no-trade clause in his contract, meaning the Packers are able to trade him to any team they want. However, Rodgers has made it clear he does not want to go to a rebuilding team. If he gets wind that a trade is brewing with a team he does not want to play for, he could drop a retirement package that day. It is clear that IF the Packers want to trade him and IF Aaron Rodgers wants to play in 2023, it will have to be to a team that both sides are okay with. Likely an AFC contending team.
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