On June 7, 2022, Aaron Rodgers confidently stated that he would “definitely” retire as a member of the Green Bay Packers after signing a three-year contract just months before.
Fast forward 281 days, and Rodgers told “The Pat McAfee Show” he now intends to leave Green Bay and play the 2023 season with the New York Jets.
To hear Rodgers tell the story, a fundamental shift in the organization happening over nine months changed the path of the future Hall of Famer and the franchise.
Eventually, Rodgers will be traded to New York. There are hurdles, including compensation, but even Rodgers admitted there’s no realistic scenario in which a trade falls through and he returns to Green Bay. It’s over.
So now it’s the end of the Rodgers era and the start of the Jordan Love era for the Packers.
What happened?
Rodgers, after signing the record-breaking contract extension, didn’t participate during the offseason workout program and then struggled through bouts of inconsistency and two different injuries during what can only be considered one of the worst statistical seasons of his professional career. Love, meanwhile, flourished in Year 3 while enjoying rapid and meaningful development under new quarterbacks coach Tom Clements.
Rodgers said he felt during the season and immediately following the season that his career in Green Bay was over or nearing the end. The Packers went 8-9, including a 1-7 stretch, and missed the postseason after losing to the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field in the season finale.
A change happened after the loss to the Lions as well. Rodgers said all options were on the table during exit conversations with the team, but “something changed” while he went on a four-day darkness retreat in February. The team drew a “hard line” and was eventually clear on being ready to move on to Love.
Rodgers admitted he believed he would retire immediately following the loss to the Lions and was leaning “90 percent” towards retirement when he started his darkness retreat.
Back in the light, Rodgers said he heard he was being shopped in a trade and realized it was over in Green Bay. Now, his goal is playing next season for the Jets.
There are clear realities for the team: Rodgers turns 40 years old in December. His year-to-year status is a major question mark. He played below his standard in 2022. His contractual impact on the salary cap only increases in damage with every passing year. Love is entering his fourth season and is ready to play. It was an avalanche of factors working against the future Hall of Famer in terms of returning to Green Bay in 2023.
For three years, Rodgers held off Love — a 2020 first-round pick — from replacing him. In 2020 and 2021, he lit the NFL world ablaze, winning MVP both seasons while tossing 85 touchdown passes and only nine interceptions and leading the NFL in passer rating each season.
But Father Time always wins, and the window for a transition to Love swung wide open when Rodgers didn’t play his best during a tumultuous 2022 season.
This is the right time for the Packers. It wasn’t for Rodgers. So instead of retiring from the NFL, Rodgers is eventually headed to New York to start a new journey.