Packers, Aaron Rodgers in ‘final stages of a reworked deal’
The Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers are reportedly close to a compromise.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Packers and Rodgers are close to agreeing on a “reworked deal” that “should be official soon”.
While this reworked deal will see Rodgers attend training camp and play for the Packers this season, it also increases the likelihood that this year will be his last in Green Bay. Rapoport added that the deal “includes him having a say in his future in 2022 and 2023”.
So, how exactly will this work?
Well, ESPN’s Adam Schefter shed some light on the potential reworked deal. He reported that the Packers were “offering concessions” in attempt to convince Rodgers to return to play this season.
According to Schefter, that would include voiding the final year of his current deal, which would mean Rodgers only remains under contract for another two seasons. Another concession is that they “would agree to review Rodgers’ situation at the end of this season”.
Schefter added that this “implies that the team will trade Rodgers if he still feels the way he has about the Packers’ culture and decision-making”.
What does this mean for Rodgers’ future with Packers?
It’s all a little confusing and we will need to wait for the exact terms of the reworked deal to be reported.
But what it seems to mean is that for the Packers to convince Rodgers to play this season, they are agreeing to make a compromise with his contract. That would include voiding the final year, while also giving Rodgers the chance to leave after the 2021 season. That’s certainly how it seems to me.
It could make sense for both Green Bay and Rodgers to go their separate ways after this season. Rodgers has been unhappy in this situation while the Packers have drafted his successor.
This compromise seems to mean they could go for one more Super Bowl push together then, if Rodgers doesn’t have a change of heart and wants to leave, the Packers will move on in 2022. Of course, this is just my interpretation of the reports from Rapoport and Schefter and we’ll need to see the actual terms in the deal, but this is how it looks.
Rodgers returns. Leads Green Bay to a championship. Gets his trade. Jordan Love becomes QB1 in 2022. How’s that sound?