Aaron Rodgers clears air on future plans: 'My intention was to play for the New York Jets'

Aaron Rodgers joined The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the recent developments in discussions with the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets and those closest to him.

After telling McAfee that the decision was made “days ago,” he then informed everyone that he wants to play for the New York Jets in 2023. The last step to make that happen is an agreement on compensation.

“My intention was to play for the New York Jets,” said Rodgers. “I haven’t been holding anything up.”

While the desire to continue playing football is there, it was not always for Rodgers, who recently went on a four-day darkness retreat. The experience flipped his idea.

“90-percent retiring, 10-percent playing,” Rodgers said, talking about his mindset entering the late-February experience. “My mind was: ‘I’m tired of this.'”

However, he cited the changing landscape of recent events multiple times during the interview. Rodgers even spent a full day meditating on the choice to retire, along with one on the choice to continue.

“The decision, I think was made in my mind — whether I was able to admit it at that point — really on that Tuesday that I wanted to play. And then it was: how is my body feeling? Is it going to be able to hold up?”

Aaron Rodgers reflects on Green Bay Packers tenure

Despite leaving the Green Bay Packers organization after 18 seasons, Aaron Rodgers took a chance to look back at what he accomplished over the years. He was not bashful about his place in the team’s history either.

“I would say this is debatable, but I’m debatably the best player in franchise history,” said Rodgers. “I’m in the conversation for sure. What’s not debatable is I’m the longest tenured Packer in history. You can debate the first part obviously. Bart, Brett, a number of name have been incredible, but you can’t debate anyone has been there longer than I have.

“And nobody has bled green and gold like me. I love that city, I love those fans, I love that region. And I’ve never been a free agent. I’ve never said, ‘you know what, let me test free agency here because I want to get out of here, this weather, whatever it might be.’ It was never that. I loved Green Bay. I do love Green Bay.”

Rodgers also discussed the way the front office has handled the departure of several former players, along with the way they spoke to him about his potential to retire with the team over past months.