Entering the 2020 season, the Packers were in a position they hadn’t been in for nearly a decade – a quarterback controversy.
Green Bay had drafted QB Jordan Love in the 2020 NFL Draft after giving up 1st and 4th round draft picks to move up and select him.
It was a shock considering that the Packers still had one of the Top 5 QBs in the NFL. Although his numbers had dipped some, Rodgers still led the Packers to the NFC Championship last year.
In addition to the Love draft pick, the league and the world would go through a pandemic that made things more hectic and uncertain. Ultimately, Rodgers ended up being the starter and would go on to have an incredible season.
Other than the sting of defeat, all would’ve been fine after their NFC Championship loss to the Buccaneers if Rodgers didn’t sound ominous in his comments about his future with the Packers.
NFL betting sites have released odds on whether or not Rodgers will start for the Packers in Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season. Let’s huddle up to examine these odds and see if Rodgers will return to Green Bay or play elsewhere next season.
Where Does Aaron Rodgers Go From Here? https://t.co/VbKfwF6iae pic.twitter.com/vgQK3sgCcD
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 26, 2021
Will Aaron Rodgers Start for Packers in 2021?
- Yes (-500)
- No (+300)
On the surface, online betting sites are favoring Rodgers to return to the Packers next year. But, before we make a prediction, let’s first take a look at all of the factors that could play a part in Rodgers’ immediate future.
Rodgers Sounds Ominous Following NFC Title Game Loss
What set the NFL media and social media mediums on fire was the comments made by Aaron Rodgers following the team’s loss to the Buccaneers in the NFC Championship game:
“[There are] a lot of guys’ futures that are uncertain, myself included. That’s what’s sad about it most … getting this far. Obviously there’s going to be an end to it at some point, whether we make it past this one or not. Just the uncertainties, (it) is tough, and the finality of it.”
These comments were unexpected and didn’t have really anything to do with what the media was asking him. Yet, they sent a clear message to the Packers and the rest of the league that the future HOF quarterback is well aware of the Packers’ previous moves and the uncertainty moving forward.
Aaron Rodgers: “I don’t think that there’s any reason why I wouldn’t be back” in Green Bayhttps://t.co/FhZNdkcBAr pic.twitter.com/4dHMz4us1d
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) January 26, 2021
Drafting of Jordan Love
As mentioned above, the Packers gave up a draft pick to move up and snag Jordan Love when the team could’ve used that pick on another wide receiver, offensive lineman or help on the defensive side of the ball. Instead, they drafted a QB.
To the critics and Rodgers, it signaled that the Packers had a different view about Rodgers’ future with the team. He was clearly unhappy about the move, but took it all in stride. Yet, after the 2020 season concluded, Rodgers circled back to this topic:
“When they drafted Jordan, it was more the reality kicking in. Like, hey, that’s actually never the case. There are no absolutes in this business.”
The Packers drafted Rodgers in 2005 and had him sit three years behind Brett Favre before they made him the starter. It’s certainly possible that the team takes that approach with Love and Rodgers.
However, the league has changed in the last 15 years. 1st round quarterbacks don’t sit for two or three years anymore. Instead, they’re usually starting in their rookie year even if there’s a capable starter in front of them.
This past season saw Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert replace capable veterans. Daniel Jones pushed Eli Manning into retirement after one season. And the list goes on.
Rodgers knows that his future isn’t guaranteed with the Packers moving forward due to Love being on the team.
Rodgers has an MVP Season
The Packers have put themselves into a difficult situation. There wasn’t any need to draft a QB of the future at this point when Rodgers still had at least three of four more good seasons left.
Once again, the team could’ve built around Rodgers like the Bucs did around Tom Brady. Instead, they didn’t. And, even with that blunder, Rodgers still went out there and performed at a level that will earn him his third NFL MVP award.
Rodgers finished the season near the top of the league in many passing stats including throwing for 4,299 yards (7th), 48 TDs (1st), 5 INTs (1st), and an 84.3 QBR (1st).
He set career marks in completion percentage (70.7), TDs (48), TD% (9.1), rating (121.5), and QBR (84.3). And, he did all of this at the age of 37.
That’s a remarkable season considering his age, the Packers lack of commitment to building around Rodgers, and a first round quarterback chomping at the bit to get into the starting lineup.
The Tom Brady Effect
If you don’t think this is going to impact the Rodgers situation then you are sorely mistaken. Tom Brady is showing that age doesn’t matter when it comes to the all-time greats.
For Brady, he’s 43 years old and playing at an amazing level that put 90% of the other starting quarterbacks to shame. Rodgers notices Brady’s success and wants to play well into his 40s like Brady and Drew Brees.
That means he could be playing for another four to five seasons. And, although he wants to do it with the Packers, Rodgers could end up moving on just like Tom Brady did.
Think about it, Brady was with the Patriots for 20 years before moving on to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. New England didn’t come close to making the Playoffs this year, but the Bucs are going to the Super Bowl.
They brought in talent to support Brady by improving the o-line, the defense, got Brady’s BFF Rob Gronkowski to come out of retirement, and even signed maligned wide receiver Antonio Brown because Brady believes in him.
Rodgers could end up going to a team that is on the cusp of the Playoffs and be the reason they make it to the Super Bowl just like Brady. Imagine if Rodgers left for a team like the Colts. Or he could go to a team that’s on the fringe of becoming one of the best in the league like the Rams.
If Brady can move on from a long relationship with one team and make his new team into a Super Bowl contender, you can bet that both Rodgers and most of the other NFL teams are thinking the same thing.
Rodgers Contract Situation
Speaking of the Rams, Aaron Rodgers will earn the same amount of money moving forward as LA’s Jared Goff does. That’s insane!
Rodgers is going to make $22.35 million in 2021, but his cap hit will be $37 million dollars. Yet, the Packers can now get out from under his deal if they choose to do so.
And, it would be without a great deal of damage to their salary cap. In fact, it’s almost as if Rodgers is playing on three one-year contracts moving forward.
Making things even more intense is that Rodgers is reportedly looking for a new contract. Like the rest of the league, everyone realizes what a sham of a deal that Rodgers is on moving forward.
Rodgers will win the MVP this year and has taken the Packers to two straight NFC Championship games. Keep in mind, this was done without the team truly committing to building around Rodgers over the last few seasons.
Rodgers indicated that he is going to have conversations with the Packers front office:
“There’s conversation to be had; I’m going to have them with the right people. It’s the same conversation we have every single year. There’s no big, ‘I’m going to the table with I need this and this and this.”
Rodgers can say it’s no big deal, but it really is a big deal this offseason. If the Packers reject the idea of Rodgers getting a new contract then it clearly shows where he stands with the team.
This soap opera could really take a turn for the worse if Rodgers is rejected for a new contract.
Will Rodgers Be a Packer Next Season?
Packers’ president Mark Murphy made the following comments about Rodgers to a local radio station:
“I’ll say this, there’s no way in heck that Aaron is not going to be on the Packers. I mean, he is going to be the MVP of the league. He might have had his best year ever. He’s our unquestioned leader, and, you know, we’re not idiots.”
One could seriously debate the statement “we’re not idiots.”
It certainly was idiotic to waste 1st and 4th round picks on Jordan Love instead of getting another receiver. It’s also idiotic to not make the first move towards a new contract for Rodgers.
Packers CEO Mark Murphy Who Drafted a QB In The 1st Round Last Year: “We’re Not Idiots. Aaron Rodgers Will Be Back.” https://t.co/rXooMzk8W7. pic.twitter.com/bTylyw5V9V
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 27, 2021
If he is the “unquestioned leader” then a new contract is a must have for both sides. For Rodgers it gives him clarity and reassurance. For the Green Bay Packers, it reduces their salary cap hit and can also give them a plan for at least the next two years.
With that said, I believe that Rodgers will be back with the Packers for 2021 as their starting QB even if it’s just for the year.
Green Bay is a Super Bowl contender with Rodgers and they could make another trip to the big game if they put a few more pieces around him. Improving the offensive line and getting a #2 receiver could make the Packers the NFC favorite next year.
Will Rodgers Be a Packer Next Season? –Yes (-500)
Rick Rockwell
As a longtime freelance writer, avid sports fan, former athlete, and experienced sports bettor, Rick Rockwell has risen up the ranks at GamblingSites.org to become the self-professed “King of the Blog” in his first year with the site. …
