Aaron Rodgers‘ season is over and it’s not a given that he’ll return for another. Still, amidst all the uncertainty, Rodgers has already ruled out the possibility of staying in Green Bay if the team isn’t built to win in 2022. 
“I don’t want to be part of a rebuild if I’m going to keep playing,” the 38-year-old quarterback said (via ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky).
Rodgers is likely on the verge of capturing his fourth career and second straight MVP trophy. Unfortunately, he didn’t look the part on Saturday as the Packers lost to the 49ers with just ten points on the board.
“I’m still supercompetitive, still know I can play at a high level, so it’s going to be a tough decision,” Rodgers said. “I have a lot of things to weigh in the coming weeks. But man, just so much gratitude for this city and this organization and such a long, long career here that I’m proud of and really thankful for all the men and women that work here, the men I’ve gotten to cross paths with, coaches and players over the years.”
To the surprise of no one, head coach Matt LaFleur later confirmed that the team wants Rodgers back for the 2022 season. Rodgers, meanwhile, says he’ll make the call sometime before free agency. Of course, the future Hall of Famer is still under control for another season, but that conversation will dictate the course of the Packers’ offseason.
The Packers are already projected to be over the salary cap by ~$45MM and that’s without a potential tag or extension for star wide receiver Davante Adams. With a serious numbers crunch looming, Rodgers isn’t particularly optimistic about what the future will bring.
“This thing is definitely going to look different moving forward in Green Bay,” Rodgers said (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com).
On the plus side, Rodgers says that his relationship with GM Brian Gutekunst and the rest of the front office has improved (Twitter link via Mark Maske of The Washington Post). — a big step up from where things were this time last year.
What team could he go to that is just a QB away?
The Saints. Especially if Adams goes with him.
That would be fun to watch cheat code line up
Saints are the only team in worse cap shape than GB. $70M+ over the cap and Hill is their only QB under contract. I can’t see them adding a $25M cap hit in Rodgers, nevermind clearing space to pay Adams.
If he wants to go there Saints can figure it out they always do. They have Brees money coming off the books which is about 30 million.
Saints are very talented defensively and offensively. Managed 9-8 with no qb beating defending champs 2 times but with rodgers they could easily wipe bucs and most of the nfc as currently constructed
If you look at their contracts it’ll be a challenge to even get down to the cap. There just aren’t many opportunities to restructure guys on that roster. Brees was officially a post June-1 cut, so they’re still carrying a cap charge for him next season as well ($11.5M). They have 4 guys combining for 47% of the cap already. They’re top 6 cap hits have higher dead money charges if they’re cut than what they’re making on the team.
To bring in Rodgers and Adams, they realistically need to open up about $100M of cap room from where they are now. They only have $153M total in base salaries under contract and another $44M in roster bonuses. Unless they make some difficult decisions on cuts, they’d have to restructure almost everyone making over league minimum to afford Rodgers and Adams.
Still 70M OVER the cap. Meaning they’d need to clear upwards of 120M to make that work. So it’s really not a matter of “they can make it work”. Brees 30M coming off still has NO at 70M over the cap.
Mar-a-Lago losers
Titans?
Niners, Broncos. Depending on what the Seahawks do, maybe them.
The Niners wouldn’t give up Lance for him, and they won’t keep him sitting under Rodgers for years either. And the Broncos . . . let’s just say he won’t want to go there over the Packers. Especially with a new coaching staff coming in. And they already have good receivers signed to extensions so no way they’re getting Adams too.
Any of these teams have the ability..salary cap or otherwise..to bring him in though? Plus Adams (if GB doesn’t tag him).
Outside of the box idea, but what about Indianapolis? Wentz isn’t the guy, and the Colts are projected to have 57m in cap space. If they brought in Rodgers I think they close the gap on Tennessee.
Packers still offer a much better chance for him. I’m not convinced he leaves the Packers. And I mean, if his relationship with the management has improved, why does he even want to leave? I mean, any other team would disappoint as well. We even saw Brady and the Bucs do it. The Packers were 13-3 for THREE STRAIGHT SEASONS. Why does he want to leave right now? Nowhere offers an upgrade. I say he stays put, at least until next season.
Why do the Packers offer the best chance, other than familiarity? It took a very well publicized offseason crusade just to get them to acquire new receivers, and that came in the form of Randall Cobb and a third round pick used as a punt returner.
The Packers made three very good moves in free agency on defense, though, which they deserve credit for because they seemed rather content otherwise (Campbell, Mercilus, Douglas-though that seems like a bit of luck in finding a guy who hit a mean hot streak). The offense, however, is still running because of Rodgers. The receiver and tight end depth lacks any impact players after Adams, and the line is average (and, as we saw in Love’s start, rather bad without Rodgers calling protections).
Denver has a better offensive situation and, at least last year, a better defensive situation. The receivers have more depth, the line is better, and there are several receiving tight ends. Roster-wise there is a lot of potential for a quarterback, at least on paper. Without knowing a coaching staff or seeing how they mesh with Rodgers it would be no guarantee, but that’s one team who offers a better situation and more support than Green Bay has recently for Rodgers. There are a couple of others who might-Indianapolis and Tennessee could potentially upgrade despite having starters, and New Orleans offers an opportunity for Adams to play, but has massive cap trouble.
Familiarity with the offense, HC/play caller, and most of the roster around him are why GB offers HIM the best chance.
I think we all know he doesn’t mesh quickly with pass catchers, and even with knowing them this year (AR8 aside, as he didn’t play many meaningful snaps) he relied heavily on Adams and Jones. I don’t know if he can walk into a new team, new (or slightly different) offense, with a nearly all new supporting cast and acclimate himself seamlessly.
Also, a big reason the line was average was because it was without Bak essentially the whole year, Jenkins was lost early, Myers missed half the season and Turner missed a handful of games.
Elite QBs like that usually do take a while to mesh-Manning took a year, Brady took most of the regular season last year. Of course Brady was working with former All-Pro receivers and brought in Gronk, so that sped up the transition for him, but any QB who gets an entirely new environment will need time to adjust.
I think that’s one reason that Rodgers didn’t leave sooner-I mean, it’s a large undertaking-but Denver is a place where he can install whatever protocols he wants to, pending the hiring of the staff. If they end up bringing in Hackett and/or Getsy, that transition becomes easier.
Denver, indy, Pittsburg, Cleveland, would be his best bets
I feel a trade to the Raiders for Carr and draft picks is coming soon. Raiders are much improved with a solid defense, one WR1 away (enter Adams), solid running game with one of the best TE’s in football coming off a 10-7 season which surprised many. He gets a 3-4 year new deal, plays all his home games indoors, and pays way less in taxes.
I’ve kind of been thinking that for a while as well.
The Raiders would be the best bet besides staying here. Saints are the runner-up.
The Raiders have a QB in Carr, and he’s a good one. They don’t need Rodgers. As a Raider fan, I’d rather have Carr and the picks. The sum of the parts is greater than Rodgers.
The Raiders need WR help, OL help on the right side and some secondary help. They’re close, but I want them to stick with Carr and try to fill those holes.
Just to play devil’s advocate here..LV trades Carr + 1st rounder (and whatever else..) for Rodgers. GB actually lets Adams walk (doubtful, but this is entirely hypothetical), and the Raiders plug holes something like Tampa did after luring Brady in. If not Adams, he can surely talk LV F.O. into sending GB a 6th rd pick for Cobb. As much as people think Rodgers is selfish, after his comment about how GB let guys walk that he wanted around, I think a few guys might take a little less to go all in.
Hypothetically, if they acquired Rodgers and signed Adams they’d have almost nothing left under the cap. They’re slated to have 39m in space. Rodgers is 5m more expensive than Carr, and I think Adams is a good bet for 20m. So you’d have 14m left, and bringing back Casey Hayward is a must. I’m going to go way low and say he signs for 4m. That leaves 10m to fill 21 roster spots. That’s awfully tough.
I mistakenly thought LV had more cap room than that. My bad there. Still might not be as bad as GB’s situation though. Just saying.
Teams that can be seen as 1 QB away… Broncos, Saints, Dolphins, Steelers, Browns, Colts, Panthers, Washington.
I can’t see him coming here to Pittsburgh. I mean, “re-build” doesn’t begin to describe what is needed with the Steelers. And with no o-line, him in black and yellow is unimaginable
There is zero chance of him coming to Pittsburgh.
The Rooneys and Tomlin do not like drama, and Rodgers is a train wreck right now off the field.
Arizona needs to be involved too
“Just a QB away” is not the same as “an Aaron Rodgers away”, to be clear
Rodgers choked three straight seasons in the playoffs and is becoming a nuisance off the field. I don’t think he’s going to find as many takers as he this off-season.
Yeah, as a GB fan he can just leave, guy completely fails in the playoffs every time. Bye
Do you feel like Love is going to succeed in the playoffs..? Or even get there?
Doesn’t matter, at least he’s not claiming to be “supercompetitive, still […] can play at a high level” only to choke NFC games continually. I’ll take some years of mediocre qb play over a guy who thinks his farts smell of liquid gold.
Before careful, Da Bears fans can tell you first hand that “some years of mediocre QB ply” can last decades. Believe it or not, HOF QBs do not just grow on trees.
Yeah, and Love can do better? Based on what we’ve seen so far, I don’t think so . . .
Don’t bother telling him. Just let him watch. If anyone thinks that Rodgers isn’t the reason that Green Bay is even competitive, don’t bother arguing. Just let them watch it unfold for themselves.
Now you’re talking!
well GB isnt rebuilding unless he leaves so…
They kinda have to at $45ish million over the cap, not including Adams tag or new deal.
i mean there is a difference between “rebuild” and having to shed some pieces.
Then we get onto that gray area of who. And which of those would be acceptable to Rodgers.
For me, Bahktiari is a contract they probably should rid themselves of (assuming it doesn’t involve a large dead cap hit), but is that acceptable for Rodgers?
Z Smith is likely gone, and there’s a question about Preston also.
Also keep in mind D Campbell and R Douglas are both F.A.s, J Alexander will want an extension and the ST are a dumpster fire.
That’s a lot of retooling.
Bakhtiari has a 39m dead cap hit if cut vs 23m to play. He isn’t going anywhere. Even with a trade the cap doesn’t make sense to move him. His contract is a problem but they can’t do much.
Rodger would need to take a massive cut off market value to stay in Green Bay.
Yeah that makes it much more likely he hangs around.
What about Z Smith? I thought I read a while back his cap number is like $27 million next year because of the rework by the F.O. last off-season. With the reported unhappiness from him do they have much choice? I certainly can’t see him sitting down and voluntarily negotiating a compromise at this point.
Steelers could be a potential landing spot with Ben’s salary off the books along with some other moves that will likely happen. I’d think the Saints would somehow get a deal done, especially if they want to keep SP coaching. Colts could be an interesting player – offering up Wentz and picks if they could make it happen. The offense is perfectly set up for Rogers to excel.
That organization needs a shot in the arm.
Hilarious, probably sat up all night thinking of that…
Philly. Great OL.
And a terrible WR group.
Kielce is retiring. Didn’t consider them “great” with him.
If he does retire the Eagles should use one of their picks on Linderbaum to replace him.
As a Packers fan, it really hurts me to say this, but if Denver sorts out its ownership situation and finds a way to hire Mike Zimmer, Rodgers would be a perfect match for the Broncos. Aaron has been perhaps one of Summer’s top supporters throughout his career, and that squad is arguably just a quarterback shy of competing for a championship. Rodgers and Zimmer, combined with a few other additions (perhaps a trade package with Jaire?) would go a long way towards loading the Broncos up for a championship run. This would also be a solid start for Green Bay to gain some cap space and some controllable youth (Surtain?) for the next competitive window.
*Zimmer, not Summer
Why Zimmer?
Rodgers opened up to the media earlier this past season about his view of Zimmer in light of him being on the hot seat, and Rodgers called him a phenomenal coach and someone he really respects. He doesn’t dole out compliments like that lightly, and I can’t recall him ever having that kind of high praise for any other head coach in the league. Clearly there’s a mutual respect and positive connection between those two.
phenomenal as in to play against?
Phenomenal as in a brilliant strategist and leader.
NFC North could be a cavalry charge next year if Rodgers leaves
For some reason the Niners seem like a fit for Rodgers. He likes to be in Cali and hasn’t gotten past them. Can’t beat ‘‘em when it counts join them. Jimmy G and a 1st Rounder.
Why would GB want Jimmy G? If GB is starting over, at least give them Lance. In another year they flip him or send Love packing.
Even with Lance I’m not overly excited about the near term future.
Trading Lance for a 37 year-old qb would be a baaaaad idea . . .
Rodgers will play more and do better in the rest of his career than Lance will. Lance will go down as a big bust.
I think any chance Jimmy G gets traded to GB is out the window after he yelled “F the Packers” last night…
Yeah probably not. Also not sure the F.O. would want him, if they really intend to see what Love can do.
Niners don’t have any first round picks.
I’m stating the obvious here, but I don’t think Rodgers is a fit fit the San Francisco market, and I think the feeling is mutual.
If Brady retires Tampa Bay is a possibility
Bucs have a 100 percent vaccination rate for players.
Not happening under Arians watch.
This is a joke, right?
Mike Edwards. Antonio Brown. Don’t say that so fast.
If he decides to leave GB I hope he does so in a way that leaves them with a bunch of high draft picks as compensation.
My own opinion is that since Rodgers once said he admired the way Barry Sanders walked away that he will do the same.
Barry Sanders was a class player and a man of integrity.
Rodgers is a needy, whiny drama queen.
Here’s a list to narrow it down:
Already have a QB:
Bengals
Chiefs
Bills
Patriots
Chargers
Ravens
Jets
Jaguars
Cowboys
Rams
Cardinals
Bears
NO WAY RODGERS IS GOING HERE:
Vikings
Texans
Lions
Giants
So that leaves 16 (half of the league) teams that it’s POSSIBLE he could end up at.
Hey, did anyone think of the Titans? The Titans’ ceiling could be HUGE with Rodgers, and they are already the top seed. I doubt they actually will trade for him, of course, but it’s fun to imagine.
The Dolphins have a whole lot of cap space. They could get him AND Adams. Same with the Broncos. But I have a hard time seeing Rodgers go to a team bringing in a new coaching staff. The Saints don’t have cap space. The Seahawks and Niners really don’t seem like they would want him, even if Russ leaves. Then there’s the Falcons and Panthers, who wouldn’t really be appealing to Rodgers as destinations.
I think the Titans, Saints, and Raiders FIT the best, but the Titans and Saints won’t trade for him. The Raiders seem most likely, if he leaves. Washington could also be a wild card. The Browns? Maybe?
I see 1 way Rodgers could go to team with a new coaching staff..if the HC is 1 of Hackett or Getsy, or a previous assistant he had/has respect for.
I actually thought part of the reason Denver brought both those guys in was based on that theory.
As for staying with GB being his best chance for a legit run, it’s really to the point where they are almost better off NOT having home field.
Why does everyone keep saying the Raiders? People seriously undervalue Carr. If the Raiders make the same mistake, I can’t begin to tell you how mad I’m going to be. There won’t be enough four letter words for me to use!
Perhaps because Carr has been rumored to be sent packing for a couple years now. Of course that was under the Mayock/Gruden regime so the next braintrust might think more highly of him.
Eh, I think Gruden constantly leaked that to try to deflect blame from himself. For a guy that was supposed to be a QB whisperer, he never actually developed one. The guys he won with were veterans.
I wonder if Rodgers noticed the irony?
After whining and pouting and demanding a trade because his team used a late first round pick on a QB, he LOST to a team that traded up and used a #3 overall pick on a QB.
Instead of whining, Garopolo (when he wasn’t hurt) just kept playing and now, he’s the one still playing.
Unlike Rodgers.
The real irony is that 1st round pick they traded up for was a spectator.
That’s the point.
Rodgers had a summer long hissy fit meanwhile, it’s very clearly not the end of the world for a team to use a high pick on a QB that isn’t helping them yet.
His pouting and whining and being a narcissistic diva had a MUCH bigger impact on the Packers ability to win than the selection of Jordan Love.
And yet…his point stands. Rodgers wanted them to draft somebody on offense that would HELP the Packers win in the playoffs. The Packers didn’t. And then…the Packers lost in the playoffs.
Not sure where the irony is, here.
Bingo!
Jimmy G’s team did the exact same thing.
Did Jimmy G whine and demand a trade and create unnecessary drama even though his team didn’t draft someone who would help his team win now or did he just go out, put his head down, play hard and BEAT AARON RODGERS’ SORRY LITTLE DIVA *** in the playoffs?
The 49ers drafting a QB instead of immediate help didn’t stop them from winning, did it?
No, it didn’t. So, it’s pathetic of Rodgers or his defenders to try to use it as an excuse.
The mental gymnastics required to make this argument work are insane. Just say,”I hate Aaron Rodgers,” and be done with it. The 9ers and Packers are in entirely different situations and Rodgers and Jimmy G aren’t even in comparable eras in their careers. This is just beyond stretching a point here. Fine, you hate Rodgers. But this argument is just bizarre.
It’s literally the exact same situation.
Each of their team’s spent a first round pick on a QB instead of other help.
One guy whined.
One guy won.
What is so hard to understand?
Just say “I fluff Aaron Rodgers” and be done with it if you can’t grasp it.
Pack cap issues are exaggerated. Zadarius cut gets rid of 1/2 of overage. Lots of easy fat to cut & keep Rodgers & sign Adams. If they decide to leave, it’s on them. Bring on Russell Wilson & the trade hauls.
They are 45M over and cutting Smith would result in $15.75M in savings. That’s still a significant amount to be over the cap
No offense kirky, but I think you understand how the salary cap works less than I do. Most contracts result in a dead money hit that is not face value, or what the cap number would be if the player remains on the team.
For example (if accurate), it was mentioned that Bahktiari’s cap hit would be like $39 million if moved.
And I believe in some instances it depends on if the player is traded, cut/waived, and when (pre or post june 1st)
Come to think of it, doesn’t Rodgers still have a rather large cap hit this off-season if traded?
Packers window has closed. No way they field a competitive team next year being ~$45M over the cap
Saints were in almost as bad shape, and managed. In fact, should’ve been a little more competitive than they were, that’s where it hurts, with depth, in the event of injuries, etc. You just need a front office person who can voodoo the numbers.
Didn’t the Saints get a bunch of guys to voluntarily rework their contracts to get under (including Brees, who was on the books for league minimum instead of the amount he had been scheduled to make if he played..)?
GB did that too. Except not necessarily with the players agreement. What it did was push a ton more money onto the ’22 cap. I don’t think there’s an easy way around it this time.
I think Manny hit the nail on the head there. What the Saints did (and do, probably better than anyone else, except maybe possibly Pittsburgh) was either incredibly skilled or incredibly suspicious, depending on your outlook.
What I do know is that Loomis seems to pull this off every year, so I don’t put too much past him. That much money is extremely limiting, no matter how talented your front office is with numbers. I’m not sure most front offices could replicate what the Saints do and remain consistently competitive.
The people who write these things are so stupid… He means if he left by chance he wouldn’t go to a building team!!! he knows staying with the Packers is not a rebuild!!
I’m sorry, I know I’m biased here as a Bears fan but I think his most recent performance auto knock his ass out of competition for MVP. While I realize special teams were the biggest culprit, I’ll point you to how many touchdown passes he threw on Sunday. Brady should get it over him simply cause he’s old AF.
*Ought to
Well, if MVP included playoff performance it makes all the sense in the world for Rodgers to be out of the race.
But, it doesn’t.