Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst met with the media on Friday and he answered numerous questions about the franchise’s offseason plans, including questions about quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
There are four different scenarios in play with Rodgers this offseason:
Aaron Rodgers retires
Aaron Rodgers is traded
Aaron Rodgers is released
Aaron Rodgers returns to Green Bay in 2023
Of those four scenarios, one makes the most sense — Rodgers returning to Green Bay in 2023.
The Packers essentially can’t release Rodgers. They’d face a dead cap hit of just under $100 million. That’s obviously not realistic.
Trading Rodgers could also be difficult due to the future Hall of Famer’s large cap hit. The Packers would also take on a $40 million dead cap hit if they trade Rodgers.
Rodgers could choose to retire, but it’s hard to see him walking away from nearly $60 million — regardless of what he says publicly.
That’s why Rodgers returning to the Packers next season seems like the most likely outcome.
Green Bay, however, is going to be patient. Gutekunst said on Friday that they’re going to allow Rodgers to go through the process this offseason and make his decision.
He was also asked if he could look Rodgers in the eye and tell him that the organization was ready to move on from the reigning NFL MVP.
Gutekunst said, “if we were…we’re not at that point”.
Brian Gutekunst said he had “really good conversations” with Aaron Rodgers this week on his way into the offseason. He said Rodgers is “going to take some time” and “I really respect the process he goes through after the season.” pic.twitter.com/hPZkYRfY7S
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) January 13, 2023
I think Gutekunst’s comments indicate that the ball is totally in Rodgers’ court. I don’t think the Packers want to move on from him. Part of that is because of the cap situation. And part of it could be because they think Rodgers still gives them the best chance to win.
It’s gonna be a wild month or two while we wait on this situation to play out, but Rodgers will have to make a decision before free agency begins in mid-March. Otherwise, he’ll be putting the Packers in a bad position.
