Packers: Aaron Rodgers plans to retire as a Packer
This is the news that a lot of diehard Green Bay Packers fans have been waiting to hear for a long, long time: Aaron Rodgers will retire a Packer.
In response to the question of if he thinks he will finish his career with the Packers, Rodgers replied: “Yes, definitely.”
The franchise is not only set up for championship contention due to its culture, elite defense, and versatile offense, but it is also due to their all-world QB realizing that his future is in Green Bay.
Mr. Rodgers is back home in his neighborhood where he belongs. If he plays out the remainder of his contract, we could be looking at the greatest career for any athlete to be drafted and to play for just one franchise.
How many athletes play two decades for just one team? Kobe Bryant and the Lakers come to mind. Tim Duncan and the Spurs.
In football, it just hasn’t happened.
Tom Brady doesn’t count because he has played for multiple teams. Packers legend Brett Favre played for multiple teams. Jerry Rice did as well. John Elway was drafted by the Baltimore Colts, so he doesn’t count. Peyton Manning played for multiple teams.
It just doesn’t happen.
Aaron Rodgers also deserves a shoutout for sticking with his team when it got tough or when it felt like his time might be ending. In the last few years, both Brady and Russell Wilson left to join a new team.
Rodgers and the Packers worked together to find a resolution to make him feel better about the state of the team and his future. He didn’t abandon his team. Something has to be said about that.
In regards to his legacy, if the Packers can find a way to capture a Super Bowl in these next few seasons, Rodgers will join an elite club of players with at least two MVPs and multiple Super Bowls.
Peyton Manning, Brady, Johnny Unitas, and Joe Montana are the only others to do so.
Rodgers has the greatest TD/INT ratio in history (4.83 to 1). He will throw his 500th TD pass before his 100th INT. He has the two highest-rated passing seasons on record (2011, 2020). He is top-10 in career passing yards and top-five in career touchdown passes.
He has all the statistics to back himself up as the greatest QB in NFL history. He has the film to back it up. His mobility, arm strength, ability to take care of the ball, accuracy, vision, leadership, and football IQ are all undeniably incredible.
If you were to create a QB that had the characteristics of every other great QB in history, Rodgers would be the closest to that. He is the definition of complete. If he can get just one more Super Bowl, that would be the icing on the cake.
But he has done everything there is to do. He has performed at a ridiculously high level for a long time. This is his team.
He is one of the many reasons why this team will be ready to bring the Lombardi Trophy home for the next stretch of years. His bonds with HC Matt LaFleur, GM Brian Gutekunst, and his teammates are what makes football so special.
Aaron Rodgers has played for a winning team his entire career. He will finish his career with a winning team. Buckle up, Packers fans. It’s a special time in Green Bay.