Rodgers casts doubt on his Packers future
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said his future with the team is “uncertain” in the wake of their 31-26 defeat by the Buccaneers in Sunday’s NFC Championship game.
Rodgers, who has spent 16 seasons with the Packers and is considered one of the NFL’s all-time greats, was drafted by Green Bay in 2005 and won the Super Bowl with the team in 2011.
The 37-year-old threw for 4,299 yards in the regular season and finished with the league’s best passer rating but saw his team crash out in the NFC Championship showdown for the second straight season.
“There’s a lot of unknowns going into this off-season,” Rodgers told reporters.
“I’m going to have to take some time away for sure, and clear my head and just kind of see what’s going on with everything.
“It’s pretty tough right now, especially thinking about the guys that may or may not be here next year. There’s always change, that’s the only constant in this business.
“It’s a grind to get to this point, and that makes the finality of it all kind of hit you like a ton of bricks. A lot of guys’ ... futures are uncertain, myself included.”
Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said he hoped Rodgers would remain with the Packers next season.
“The guy is the MVP of this league. He’s the heart and soul of our football team. He better be back here. He’s our leader,” LaFleur said.
Rodgers has two seasons left on a four-year, US$134 million so he won’t be an easy player to move via trade.
Rodgers is a Northern California native. Perhaps he wouldn’t mind finishing his career with the San Francisco 49ers, who might be interested in upgrading the position after Jimmy Garoppolo experienced an injury-ravaged 2020 campaign.
Either way, Rodgers has played in only one Super Bowl with Green Bay and Sunday’s loss dropped him to 1-4 in NFC title games.
The veteran quarterback completed 33 of 48 passes for 346 yards, three touchdowns and one interception against the Buccaneers in what was his 218th appearance (counting postseason) for the Packers.