NFL insider discusses latest on Aaron Rodgers, Packers decision
It’s almost decision time for NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. The Packers quarterback with one more year on his deal could decide within the next two days whether he’ll stay in Green Bay.
ESPN senior reporter Jeremy Fowler joined Get Up on Monday morning to share the latest from sources on Rodgers’ decision timeline and what the Packers are doing to keep him.
“We’ve got a 36-hour window before Davante Adams needs to get his franchise tag, so that’s sort of an artificial deadline,” Fowler started. “Here’s what I’m hearing, the Green Bay Packers have made a significant offer to keep him long-term, that could be like a three-to-four year deal to potentially spread out the cap hit. The Packers are all in on doing this but there are some other teams lurking.
“The Denver Broncos are one, no firm decision from Rodgers,” Fowler continued. “The Packers still have no desire to trade Rodgers, in fact, I talked to one source who said that Rodgers might even need to retire if he wants to be traded because of what they would want for him. They would want not only some premium picks but potentially some young good players on rookie contracts that would cripple the teams that want him.”
The quarterback has previously said he anticipates announcing his plans before Tuesday, the deadline for NFL teams to tag franchise players. Green Bay is likely to use a franchise tag on receiver Davante Adams, Rodgers’ top target over the past few seasons. The return of Adams would be a big reason for Rodgers to consider a return.
The NFL vet attended and officiated the wedding of offensive lineman David Bakhtiari over the weekend with head coach Matt LaFleur also in attendance.
Packers won’t trade Aaron Rodgers to certain teams
The Green Bay Packers have already received several trade inquiries for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but are being picky about which ones they will consider. The team isn’t willing to trade their star to anyone in the NFC, per reporter Jason La Canfora.
If Aaron Rodgers ultimately decides to move on, there will be no shortage of teams interested in a trade.
This past season, Rodgers claimed his second straight MVP award as he threw for 4,115 yards and ranked third in the NFL with a 68.9% completion percentage. He also threw for a league-low four interceptions and 37 touchdowns — giving him one of the best touchdown-to-interception ratios of the year. Green Bay earned the top seed in the NFC playoffs but ultimately fell to San Francisco in the divisional round.
Rodgers enters the final year of his contract with the Packers next season. If the team keeps him in 2022, it will take a cap hit of $46.1 million under his current deal, more than 20% of their salary cap space. Cutting or trading Rodgers would free up $19.9 million.