Packers Rumors: Aaron Rodgers “Does Plan to Play for Green Bay”
By Paul Bretl
Will Aaron Rodgers be a part of the 2021 Green Bay Packers, or won’t he? That has been the million-dollar question. While opposing fan bases and many in the national media were hoping for the latter, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Rodgers has indicated that he “does plan to play” for Green Bay this season.
#Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has indicated to people close to him that he does plan to play for GB this season, sources say. That is the expectation. Many factors at play, but with GM Brian Gutekunst saying he is “hopeful” for a positive outcome, there is a glimmer of optimism.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 26, 2021
There has been nothing but uncertainty surrounding Rodgers’ future with the team since the news of his discontent broke on draft night, but this was always the most likely outcome.
For starters, the Green Bay Packers have been adamant that they weren’t going to trade the reigning MVP—and why would they?
Plus, with three years still remaining on his current deal, it’s not as if Rodgers really had any options. If he isn’t going to be traded, he either has to play for the Packers or retire—and again, that was likely never a realistic option.
On top of all of that, regardless of what is going on between Green Bay and Rodgers, we all know how important winning is to him. And this 2021 Packers team is built to win now after going 13-3, making it to a second straight NFC Championship Game, and returning largely the same core from a season ago.
What this means for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers beyond the 2021 season? Well, that we still don’t know. Presumably, he does still want out, and his “Last Dance” Instagram post from over the weekend suggests that he is willing to make one more run with Green Bay before heading elsewhere–which will have to come via trade.
We will see what the future holds, as has been the case all offseason; it’s just guesswork at this time. But it would certainly appear that Rodgers will be the quarterback in Green Bay for at least one more season— which, as I said, was always the most likely scenario.
Veterans are to report to training camp on Tuesday, and the first practice will take place on Wednesday.