Much has been made of Aaron Rodgers’ future following the Packers’ 2021 season. Rodgers has made it clear he doesn’t want to be around for a rebuild and has committed to a decision on his future before free agency starts in March. While the Packers wait for that announcement, there’s plenty of “experts” who cover other teams that have insisted Rodgers “wants out of Green Bay.” Citing so-called “sources”, teams like the Broncos, Steelers, and Titans have been mentioned as Rodgers’ preferred landing spots.
Titans “Sources”
Jared Stillman, who covers the Titans for an ESPN affiliate in Nashville, cited “multiple sources” that said Rodgers recently purchased land outside Nashville with the intent of building an estate there. Stillman said Rodgers is “open to joining the Titans” and that several of Rodgers’ Packers teammates believe Rodgers does not want to return to Green Bay. This amounts to little more than wishful thinking for a few reasons. Whether Rodgers purchased land outside Nashville is irrelevant. It’s going to take well over a year to build the kind of home Rodgers would want. The Titans also have Ryan Tannehill under contract. Tannehill has two years left on his deal and trading or cutting him isn’t likely given his cap number. This silly rumor went away just as quickly as Stillman’s “sources” came up with it.
One of the Original Rumors
Then, there’s the more popular belief that Rodgers wants to play for the Broncos. After being courted by several teams, former offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was named Denver’s new head coach in late January. Hackett made an attempt to get other Packers assistants to join him there. Many believe this is further proof of Rodgers’ desire to play for the Broncos next year. All of this started when former Broncos offensive lineman Mark Schlereth swore on a draft night talk radio broadcast last year that a trade of Rodgers to the Broncos was “as close to done as a deal can be” according to his sources.
Like other rumors, the trade didn’t happen. Fast forward to the end of the 2021 season, and the rumor is back. One thing hasn’t changed on this subject, though. Any trade would surely subtract at least a few players that make the Broncos a potential contender with Rodgers. It just doesn’t make sense.
The Pittsburgh Talk
The look… the smile. We all saw it. When the Steelers visited Lambeau this year, Rodgers attempted to catch the Steelers with 12 men on the field. Pittsburgh’s head coach Mike Tomlin was well aware of what Rodgers was trying to do and called a timeout. Cameras caught the friendly acknowledgment of gamesmanship between Rodgers and Tomlin. Rodgers talked about the exchange when he appeared on the ManningCast version of Monday Night Football in Week 17. Rodgers affirmed his “respect” for Coach Tomlin, but certainly didn’t go far enough to state his desire to go there.
With QB Ben Roethlisberger retiring, the Steelers are in need of a quarterback. Pittsburgh fans are understandably excited at the thought of Rodgers in black and gold. Given the state of the Steelers’ roster, combined with Rodgers’ clear desire to avoid a rebuild, Pittsburgh is as far-fetched as any rumor.
The Heart of the Matter
At the end of the day, nobody knows yet where Rodgers will play in 2022, or if he will play at all. There’s always going to be media types like Adam Schefter and Mike Florio as long as the checks keep clearing. Too many fans are eager to believe rumors and unnamed sources because these “journalists” tell them what they want to hear, regardless of truth. Rodgers is on record saying his relationship with the Packers’ front office has improved. He stayed in Green Bay following the playoff loss to work through his vision for the 2022 Packers with the front office. By all accounts, he’s come full circle and is happy with where the team is now. Only time will tell, but it’s reasonable to say Rodgers’ own words carry more meaning than rumors and unnamed sources. Ultimately, Rodgers has promised to not drag it out, so we’ll all know soon enough.
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