The Green Bay Packers defeated the Chicago Bears 28-19. Aaron Rodgers improved to 25-5 against Chicago in his career, and Christian Watson tied a rookie mark held by Randy Moss. After the game, Rodgers was asked about his future and if Watson’s emergence would play a part in his decision to return. Here is his response curtoesy for Matt Schneidman of The Athletic:
Aaron Rodgers asked about Christian Watson’s rise potentially being a reason he returns in 2023:
“I left Cal and I could’ve came back with DeSean Jackson at receiver and Marshawn Lynch in the backfield … I say that because the way Christian has developed…”
Full quote: pic.twitter.com/SeZdCNebhO
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) December 4, 2022
There is certainly a great deal to unpack in that quote. For starters, it is difficult to think of another rookie who has had the kind of story Watson has had. That is, a player who started their rookie season so underwhelmingly but has become a borderline Pro Bowl player. It is certainly probable that Watson is the next beloved wide receiver among Packers fans.
Will Aaron Rodgers Be Back in 2023?
After tweeting out the video of Rodgers’ response, Schneidman quote-tweeted himself with the following:
Listen to what Rodgers says at the end of this clip. I read that as “I want to come back, but I’m not certain they’ll want me back.” Maybe I’m wrong. https://t.co/Ut8rIbWxFq
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) December 5, 2022
What Schneidman is referring to is when Rodgers says, “It will all factor into it, but there’s got to be mutual interst from both sides.” In other words, there has to be mutual interest from both Rodgers and the Packers for his return in 2023. Could Jordan Love’s performance against the Eagles, once again, put Rodgers in a position in which he may not end his career in Green Bay?
Related: Aaron Rodgers Responds to Questions Regarding Jordan Love Finishing the Season
To be clear, what is about to follow is sheer opinion: I don’t think the Packers would have given Rodgers a three-year $150 million contract if they were not fully committed to him beyond 2022. Sure, Rodgers has had a down season, but he has been playing through a broken thumb. Additionally, he has had to learn how to play with new wide receivers, a process that takes time.
What it comes down to, though, for me, is that contract. The Packers have tied up so much future money into Rodgers that it is hard to believe they would want to just take that cap hit. In my opinion, I am not so sure Rodgers has fully decided about 2023, but that’s to be expected. He has said numerous times that he only focuses on the current season while it is going on.
To be certain, the offseason will bring plenty of conjecture, and Love’s development has left the future at the quarterback position in question. However, I do believe Rodgers will be back in 2023.
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1 Comment
Packer fans I’m one of them that wants Aaron Rodgers to come back in 2023 to play with the rookies and ask how much they want with money to keep them as them under their contract. Not when it’s late. Where Dante Adams walked he wanted to go anyway, but Raiders game the money to him what he wanted packers matched it, but he still wanted to go with the Raiders💚💛💚 and then some over what Dante Adams want, and it still won’t stay with the Packers