Aaron Rodgers has made it clear he’s not enamored with staying with the Green Bay Packers, but there are three moves that could sway him to stay.
The news of the summer for the NFL has been quarterback Aaron Rodgers reportedly intending to cut ties with the Green Bay Packers and wants to play for a team that will put his interests first. It’s no secret that the front office has done a fair share of moves behind the back of their franchise passer, including trading up in the first round of the draft to select his future successor, Jordan Love.
Make no mistake about it, the relationship between Rodgers and the Packers is abysmal. And though he reportedly plans on playing for Green Bay in 2021, the hopes of him remaining with the organization beyond this season as it stands now are delusional at best.
However, there is an emphasis on the words “as it stands now” because Rodgers wants to be Packer for life. He’s said many times that he would love to retire a Green Bay Packer but he’s clearly in a significant debacle with the respect he’s given by the franchise.
Rather than the front office simply saying that they’re “committed to Aaron Rodgers for 2021 and beyond”, they can put their actions to words and make one of three moves that could prove to him that they want to win now and win with him as their quarterback.
It won’t be easy — and it certainly won’t be cheap. But to remain a top team in the NFL with one of the most talented quarterbacks of all time, it’ll be completely worth it to make these moves to keep Rodgers in Green Bay.
3. Extend WR Davante Adams immediately
The Packers need to not just sign wide receiver Davante Adams, but sign him for as much as it costs. You can’t mold a player into the top threat at his position and not pay him like it. If there is any wideout who is deserving of a massive payday, it’s the guy that has been your franchise quarterback’s favorite target.
It’s rumored that Adams is expecting a similar contract to that of Arizona Cardinals wideout DeAndre Hopkins, which was a two-year contract for $54.5 million with an annual average value of $27.5 million. No matter how hard the Green Bay Packers try, they won’t be able to change the growth of the market and how much players get paid. If a wide receiver can average nearly 100 yards per game, what excuse do you have for not signing him long-term?
The salary cap can be a factor, but name a team that’s in win-now mode and has $20 million in salary-cap space. Listen to the crickets. That’s because they don’t exist.
The Packers can’t have their cake and eat it too. If you are going to go all-in, you go all-in. Re-sign Adams for what he’s worth because at the current rate, if (and when) Aaron Rodgers leaves, who do you think is going to follow him? When players are more loyal to each other than the organization, you wind up with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
If Green Bay isn’t careful, they’ll be lucky if they can beat the Detroit Lions in five years. In order to repair the damage that’s been caused, they need to build a foundation and it starts with making their superstars happy. Ensure that Adams is an invaluable part of this franchise by paying him the money he feels he deserves. Grind your teeth at night if it helps, but if this team wants to win a Super Bowl, they’re going to need Adams on their side.