Packers 2021 roster preview: Aaron Rodgers future uncertain
Aaron Rodgers‘ future with the Green Bay Packers has been the talk of the NFL offseason to date.
Has he played his final snap in Green Bay? Will he return and finish his career with the Packers? Either scenario, or anything in between, could prove to be true.
With OTAs underway and mandatory minicamp just around the corner, it’s a great time to begin our annual player-by-player 2021 roster previews for the Packers.
And we can’t start with anyone else other than the defending NFL MVP.
2020 stats
Rodgers threw 526 passes, completing an impressive 70.7 percent of them for 4,299 yards, 48 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. They are video game numbers, and that’s assuming you played “Madden” on an easy setting. Simply phenomenal from Rodgers.
2020 review
Many wondered how Rodgers would improve in the second year working in Matt LaFleur’s system. The answer was M-V-P.
Rodgers was on the money from the season opener when he threw for 364 yards and four touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings. It showed exactly how great this offense could become. It was the first of seven performances in which Rodgers threw four touchdown passes.
Rodgers was locked in a two-way race with Patrick Mahomes for the MVP award throughout the season, but he pulled away in December and ensured there was no doubt.
Will he make the roster?
This is the million-dollar question, but it should be rephrased slightly. Rather than “will he make the roster?”, it should be “will Rodgers choose to return in 2021?”.
The Packers have made it clear they don’t plan to trade away their MVP. It’s up to Rodgers to decide whether he plays or not. If I had to guess, I’d lean more towards Rodgers returning, but only time will tell.
What to expect in 2021
At this stage, who knows?
Maybe Rodgers will be throwing touchdown passes to Davante Adams and leading the Packers on another deep playoff run. But perhaps he’ll be aiming for success with the Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, or New England Patriots.
If Rodgers plays in 2021 — no matter the team — we should expect another great season. That’s especially true in Green Bay as he understands the offense and has a connection with his receivers.
The question now is what’s next? What will it take — if possible — to get Rodgers to play again for the Packers? And if there’s zero chance of that, what will the team decide to do?