Packers: When will Aaron Rodgers decide his future?

Aaron Rodgers’ future will have a direct impact on what comes next for the Green Bay Packers, whether it’s going all-in for another Super Bowl push in 2022, or turning to Jordan Love and starting over.

Anything is possible for Rodgers, from returning to Green Bay, requesting a trade elsewhere, or even following Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger into retirement.

But when exactly can we expect a decision from the presumed 2021 NFL MVP?

Rodgers has said previously that he doesn’t want to drag any decision out, and he confirmed that when speaking on “The Pat McAfee Show” last week.

“I understand my decision does impact a number of other people’s decisions and I want to be very sensitive to that,” Rodgers said. “And so I will definitely make a decision sooner rather than later.”

McAfee followed up by asking Rodgers when “sooner rather than later” means, and Rodgers spoke about some upcoming decisions such as the Packers potentially using the franchise tag on All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams.

“I think one decision that will be upcoming will be obviously Davante and his future with the team. There still is this thing called the franchise tag,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers notes that Adams, or any player, prefers not to be franchise-tagged. However, it’s easy to see why he circles this date. Should the Packers give Adams the franchise tag, it’s a commitment to bringing him back. Presumably, given their cap situation, they would intend on using the summer to work on an extension.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Packers are “expected” to use the franchise tag on Adams, and they will then “work toward a potential new deal”.

The Packers have until March 8 to use the franchise tag, which is around a week before the start of free agency.

“I think that should be enough time to make a decision by then,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers again made it clear that he will have made a decision before free agency — which officially begins on March 16 — as his decision also impact many others’.

“To drag it out past free agency would be disrespectful to the organization and to those guys, and that 100% will not happen,” Rodgers said.

Rapoport also reported that Rodgers stayed in Green Bay following the divisional-round loss to discuss the team’s future, speaking with “Matt LaFleur and others”.

“It left those in the organization with confidence moving forward that Rodgers will return for the 2022 season,” Rapoport reported.

Soon, we will know for sure.

There’s still around a month before the Packers have to make a decision on using the franchise tag on Adams. Of course, they could make that call before then or even agree to a long-term extension.

As for when Rodgers could make a decision, it seems we should know his plans before the new league year in mid-March.