Packers rumors: Aaron Rodgers wants to ‘pull a Tom Brady’

With the Green Bay Packers soon reporting for training camp, all eyes once again turn to the Aaron Rodgers situation, a storyline that has played out over the course of the offseason.

Rodgers has, for the most part, avoided the spotlight and kept his side of the story to himself. That even meant not attending the Milwaukee Bucks’ championship run, a team he part owns.

The million-dollar question fans have been wondering is what will it take for Rodgers to return, and is there any resolution to this situation?

The answer might actually surprise many of us.

There was a fascinating note in Matt Lombardo’s latest column for FanSided regarding Rodgers and his future.

An NFC personnel executive told Lombardo that Rodgers “wants years off his deal, so he can pull a Tom Brady and be the next guy to try to go elsewhere to win a championship.”

Well, that’s quite something. And unexpected, to be honest. Many assumed Rodgers’ desire was to be given long-term security in the way of a new contract that would all but assure he ends his career with the Packers.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported earlier this week that Rodgers turned down a contract extension that would’ve made him the highest-paid QB in football. If Rodgers doesn’t want more years added to his deal, this decision would make more sense.

As for the upcoming season and whether Rodgers will turn up for Packers training camp, the NFC executive told Lombardo he expects him to be there:

"“Aaron will show up on time,” the executive says. “Or very soon after camp begins so that everyone can be happy, the story can drop, and the Packers will have one more year with him before getting the chance to trade him to the highest-bidder.”"

So, return this season, play at an MVP level again, and get a trade elsewhere in 2022? Sure sounds like a compromise that could make sense for all sides.

For Rodgers, he does get his move, even if not immediately. For the Packers, they get another season from their MVP and extra time for Jordan Love to develop before turning to him as the starter.

Andrew Brandt, who is a former Vice President of Player Finance and General Counsel for the Packers, has made his opinion clear throughout the offseason that the Packers will trade Rodgers next year.

But we’ll just have to wait and see. Maybe Rodgers shows up on time. Maybe he doesn’t. And maybe Rodgers gets to “pull a Tom Brady” and move elsewhere in 2022.