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Aaron Rodgers’ future is now officially up in the air after loss

By Lou Scataglia

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 22: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is sacked by defensive end Arik Armstead #91of the San Francisco 49ers during the 2nd quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field on January 22, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 22: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is sacked by defensive end Arik Armstead #91of the San Francisco 49ers during the 2nd quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field on January 22, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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After a brutal loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his future are now firmly up in the air.

The Green Bay Packers were the number one seed in the NFC, and many about guaranteed them to make it to the Super Bowl.  Aaron Rodgers’ 2021 season was another MVP caliber one, and all seemed well in Green Bay

Not so fast.

After a shocking loss to the 49ers during the divisional round, the Packers now officially find themselves in uncharted territory.

For years the Packers remained a competitive team with a solid roster.  Aaron Rodgers always managed to put up solid numbers and Green Bay was seen as a perennial playoff team every year.

Now, all of a sudden, all of that might stop.  After the brutal loss, Aaron Rodgers was very candid about his future, essentially saying he does not want to be a part of the team if they need to rebuild, and that he’ll take some time to decide his future.

The Packers are set to have around negative $40 million in cap space with notable free agents that include Davante Adams, who is set to demand a massive contract, Dennis Kelly, Lucas Patrick, Allen Lazard, and De’Vondre Campbell, among many others.

Unless the Packers turn salary cap mode off, there is no way they are going to be able to retain their core free agent players.

Furthermore, Rodgers is set to be a free agent after the 2022 season, so he’s due for a massive extension as well.

All of this is building up to be a giant roster rebuild in Green Bay.  While the Packers are surely going to give their pitch to Rodgers and ask him to stay, he was very clear about not being with the team for a rebuild.

Every team has to go through a rebuild at some point, and Rodgers wasn’t going to stay in Green Bay forever.

I think the fans in Green Bay knew this was coming.  Brett Favre left the club, and now Aaron Rodgers is poised to.

As for him retiring, I don’t think it’s likely.  Yes, he mentioned it before, but as someone who has said how much he “loves playing ball” why would he retire after potentially back-to-back MVP season and getting bounced out of the playoffs?

I cannot see in any way how he does retire.  He’s climbing the all-time leaderboards for quarterbacks and has shown no signs of slowing down.

Plus, if he elects to seek a trade, several teams will be bidding for his services.

Some of those teams to watch include the Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

It’s very likely that Aaron Rodgers won’t be traded to a team in the NFC, so that does limit his destinations, but there are a handful of AFC teams who would love to add his services.

Whatever happens with the Super Bowl champion and MVP, it’s safe to say that his future is a beautiful mystery. 

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