A third straight season for the Green Bay Packers ended with a defeat at Lambeau Field, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers – now 39 years old and coming off a statistically disappointing season – is entering another offseason uncertain about his football future.
Rodgers and the Packers were beaten by the Detroit Lions on Sunday night at Lambeau Field, ending what was a late-season run back into playoff contention. Green Bay finished the 2022 season at 8-9.
Instead of going to San Francisco to face the 49ers in the NFC Wild Card Round, Rodgers must now contemplate his future in the game, and he left all options open in his press conference late Sunday night.
“Do I feel like I have anything left to prove to myself? Do I want to go back and gear up for another grind? Is it time to step away? Is it time for another voice to be leading this team?” Rodgers said. “I think I need to get away and contemplate those things.”
Speculation will be rampant as Rodgers takes time away to make his decision.
Retirement from the game is certainly on the table, but Rodgers also wasn’t ready to guarantee he’d be back with the Packers even if he wants to keep playing in 2023 – not because he wants to leave Green Bay, but because he’s not certain the franchise is 100 percent committed to keeping him. There’s an awareness from the future Hall of Famer of the Jordan Love cloud hanging over everything.
Rodgers said money wouldn’t be a factor either way and he’d be comfortable walking away from almost $60 million coming to him if he plays next season.
Rodgers also said he wouldn’t keep the organization hostage, meaning a decision is coming sooner rather than later. Free agency and the new league year arrive in around two months, providing a realisitc timeline for a decision. The Packers also have individual decisions to make on several players, including on veterans with uncertain futures – like David Bakhtiari, Aaron Jones, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Marcedes Lewis – who mean a lot to Rodgers in Green Bay and will likely impact his own decision.
It was a tumultuous 18th season for Rodgers, who dealt with the departure of Davante Adams, injuries to his right thumb and ribs and a stretch of games in which the Packers won one game in seven weeks. He threw 26 touchdown passes, but his 12 interceptions were his most in a season since 2008, and his 91.1 passer rating was over 20 points lower than last year and his lowest ever as a starter.
Throughout the year, Rodgers said the time for a decision on his future would be the offseason. Now, it’s here. Emotions from the stunning loss to the Lions were still raw for Rodgers in the immediate aftermath on Sunday. The next step is getting away from the game and figuring out what’s next.
“I feel good about what I’ve accomplished in this league and wouldn’t have any regrets walking away. But I got to see what it feels like once I get away from this.”
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbxb1xg7g19wqdc player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]