Well, NOW we know what to expect!
As the Green Bay Packers potentially get set to move on from four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, rumors have started to fly around at a blistering pace.
Just last week, my pal Charles Curtis ranked a list of possible AFC team destinations for one of the best quarterbacks ever to play (including just staying in Green Bay). Then, the New York Jets hiring Rodgers’ former offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett, had folks thinking something was in the works for Gang Green. And this week, a curious one-word tweet from Davante Adams indicated that Rodgers might be heading West.
While all this speculation swirls, Rodgers was a featured player at this year’s Pebble Beach Pro-Am. When asked about any “news” he wanted to share with the onlooking crowd, Rodgers had a quick (likely joking) clarification about a potential future with the San Francisco 49ers in the Bay Area:
I know Rodgers said he’s not going to San Francisco with a smile, but it does make one wonder about the seriousness of his remarks.
Not that it would be impossible, but the 49ers currently only have roughly $8 million in salary cap space, per Over The Cap. At the same time, a team ready to win Super Bowls now doesn’t pick until the third round in the 2023 NFL Draft. GM John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan could certainly get creative with the books and also surrender assets from the future, but that doesn’t paint the picture of seamlessly slotting Rodgers into the famous 49ers’ red and gold. The 49ers would probably have to do a lot to swing a blockbuster trade for the 39-year-old.
Of course, Rodgers could really be joking about playing with the 49ers while enjoying himself playing golf, and my entire point is moot. But something tells me there might be a little more merit to what Rodgers alluded to in an apparent throwaway comment.
