Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has spent the past 16 seasons calling Lambeau Field home, but following their NFC Championship loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Rodgers isn’t took sure about his future with the organization.
Rodgers, 37, is under contract through the 2023 season thanks to his $134 million contract extension he signed back in 2018, and is coming off arguably his best season which is likely to land him MVP honors.
“[The Packers have] a lot of guys’ futures that are uncertain — myself included,” Rodgers said following the game, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. “That’s what’s sad about it, most, getting this far. Obviously, it’s going to be an end at some point, whether we make it past this one or not, but just the uncertainty’s tough and finality of it all.”
Packers coach Matt LaFleur, who has been criticized for some of his late game decisions on Sunday, is hopeful that Rodgers will be back in Green Bay next season.
Rodgers has a salary-cap charge of $36.3 million in 2021 and $39.9 million in 2022, but the team could save $22.648 million in cap space if they were to part ways with Rodgers following the 2021 season, while incurring $17.204 million in dead money.
Parting with Rodgers this offseason would be costly, as Rodgers leaving would save only $4.76 million in cap space while incurring a $31.556 million dead money hit.
“I sure as hell hope so,” LaFleur said. “I mean, the guy’s the MVP of this league. He’s the heart and soul of our football team. So, hell yeah, he better be back here. He’s our leader, and you know, just so appreciative of him buying into what we’re trying to get done around here and leading that group. His voice carries a lot of weight in that locker room and just, you know, I feel for him. Him being in this situation and for us not to get it done, man, it hurts.”
“It’s a good question,” Rodgers said. “I don’t know, I really don’t. There’s a lot of unknowns going into this offseason now. I’m going to have to take some time away, for sure, and clear my head and just kind of see what’s going on with everything. But it’s pretty tough right now, especially thinking about the guys that may or may not be here next year. There’s always change. That’s the only constant in this business.
“It’s a grind just to get to this point. And that makes the finality of it all kind of hit you like a ton of bricks. That’s why it’s a gutting feeling in your stomach.”
Rodgers also took the time to thank reporters as he ended his media videoconference session.
“I do appreciate you all and the job that you’ve done this year,” Rodgers said. “I appreciate our interactions, appreciate the opportunity to share every week and will always be thankful for this season. Thank you.”
