NFL insider provides update on Aaron Rodgers situation with Packers

For the second consecutive offseason, there are a lot of questions surrounding the future of quarterback Aaron Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers expects to take his time with his decision, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

“It’s important for players to really take a step back and let all the emotion go past them and really collect themselves and figure out what they want to do. Judging from Aaron Rodgers’ comments, it seems like he’s leaning towards taking a step back,” Rapoport said. “But that’s exactly why players need to take some time, and that’s exactly what Aaron Rodgers plans to do.”

Rodgers had a strong season in Green Bay, and he will likely be one of the leaders in the NFL MVP race. On the season, he threw for 4,115 yards, 37 touchdowns and just four interceptions. The Packers earned the top seed in the NFC, but fell to the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional round of the playoffs on a last-second field goal.

Rodgers has options when deciding on his future in Green Bay

Rodgers came into the league in 2005, and he has been with Green Bay ever since. In his career, he has thrown for 55,360 yards with 449 touchdowns and 93 interceptions.

Last offseason, Rodgers clashed with the Packers’ front office, leaving his future in serious doubt. As training camp got underway, though, the two sides came to an agreement to get him in the building in time for the season. But now, just a year later, the same questions that haunted Green Bay last offseason are back again.

“Unlike Tom Brady, who it’s pretty much retire or play for the Bucs, for Rodgers it’s really a multifaceted decision,” Rapoport added. “He can simply retire at age 38 and call an incredible career, Hall of Fame career, it with a Super Bowl under his belt and so many iconic moments in Green Bay. He could come back to a team that would like to reload, re-sign Davante Adams and several others and just run it back like they did this year.

“Or he could approach the organization and, as they discussed when they re-worked his contract before the season, they could potentially say, ‘Alright, if you wanted to be traded, where would you go? Let’s figure something out.’ So there are a lot of options for Aaron Rodgers. That is why he is going to take his time and just kind of confer with his people to see what he wants to do. He said he expects a decision before free agency, so a lot earlier than last year.”

If the Packers want to keep Rodgers in Green Bay, they will have some work to do. Spotrac projects the Packers to be nearly $40 million over the salary cap, and they have to re-sign star receiver Davante Adams, who is set to become a free agent. Bringing Adams back could ultimately play a role in Rodgers’ decision.