Aaron Rodgers says he wont drag out any offseason decisions regarding his future with the Green Bay Packers.
Rodgers, 38, said he would make a decision after talking to his loved ones as well as team officials such as CEO/President Mark Murphy, general manager Brian Gutekunst and executive vice president/director of football operations Russ Ball.
Im just savoring this year as much as anything, Rodgers said Wednesday. It wont be something where Ill drag it out for months and months. Im not going to hold the team back from anything and once I commit and if its committing to move forward here it will be a quick decision.
That would represent a change from the most recent offseason, when Rodgers skipped the Packers organized team activities and mandatory minicamp in a standoff with team management before reporting to training camp.
Rodgers said he hadn’t ruled out anything, whether it be returning to Green Bay next year, trying to play elsewhere, or even retiring. Rodgers has spent his entire career with the Packers, who selected him with the 24th overall pick in the 2005 draft.
I think that Im just enjoying this season for this season,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers noted he wanted to remain effective as long as he was playing. The reigning MVP certainly has done that by throwing 16 touchdown passes and no interceptions over his last five games while dealing with a toe injury that has limited his practice time.
Wanting to not be a bum on the way out and to still be able to play, I think, is important to me, Rodgers said. If this year has taught me anything, its that I still can play, I still have a love for the game, Im still super competitive and still enjoy the process of the week. I miss practice and its tough to not be out there week after week now, but I still do love competing and I love being out there.
Rodgers contract was restructured last summer, making it likely the Packers will either extend him or trade him before the 2022 season due to salary cap considerations. Wide receiver Davante Adams, a 2020 All-Pro, has an expiring contract and says Rodgers situation could factor into his own decision.
Well see how everything plays out, Adams said. But to a certain extent, I will be connected with 12. Its just not like, if he goes, Im not going to be here, or if he stays, I will. Its something well have to pay attention to, for sure.
When Rodgers reported to camp, he discussed at a news conference his issues with the organization. At the time, Rodgers said he wanted to have a voice in the decision-making process and believed the organization didnt treat departing high-character veterans with enough respect.
Since then, Rodgers has praised moves the Packers have made to improve the team, such as the summer addition of linebacker DeVondre Campbell and the October signing of cornerback Rasul Douglas off the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. Campbell is the Packers leading tackler. Douglas is a Pro Bowl alternate with a team-high five interceptions.
The Packers also reacquired wide receiver Randall Cobb from the Houston Texans at the start of training camp. Gutekunst acknowledged that move was made at Rodgers suggestion.
I do appreciate a lot of the things that Ive seen from the team that are directly related to conversations we had in the offseason, and that was meaningful to me,” Rodgers said. “Ive enjoyed being a part of conversations that directly affect my job, which I talked about in the offseason, and Brians taken the lead in that, and I do appreciate the way our relationship has grown.
Rodgers said having Cobb as a teammate again has made this year exponentially greater for me as far as happiness.
NOTES: CB Jaire Alexander has been activated from injured reserve, though that doesnt necessarily mean hes about to return to action. OT David Bakhtiari was activated from injured reserve Nov. 10 and still hasnt made his season debut. Alexander hasnt played since injuring his shoulder Oct. 3. When hes ready, then hell be available, but I think its just more or less making sure that everybody feels comfortable with where hes at and making sure that hes good for the long haul, coach Matt LaFleur said. S Henry Black, P Corey Bojorquez, TE Tyler Davis and DL Kingsley Keke went on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The Packers signed LB Aaron Adeoye, OT Adrian Ealy, CB Jayson Stanley and RB Kerrith Whyte to the practice squad. Stanleys on the practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list. OL Cole Van Lanen was moved from the practice squad to the active roster as a COVID-19 replacement.
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