Aaron Rodgers Finally Makes His Decision, Ending This Nightmare

Aaron Rodgers loves the limelight. That is the only reason to explain why it took so long for the quarterback to make a decision on his future. It became clear over the past few weeks that it was down to two possibilities. Either he would retire or he would be traded elsewhere. The Green Bay Packers were moving on. It was up to him. After seriously considering retirement last month, Rodgers got a strong pitch from the New York Jets to come play for them. Then on the Pat McAfee Show, he finally ended everybody's nightmare. He would accept a trade to the Big Apple.

It is nothing short of remarkable how this saga unfolded. For years Rodgers tried in every way possible to distance himself from Brett Favre. Yet, in the end, his Packers legacy is practically a mirror image. Both won the Super Bowl at age 27. Both won multiple MVPs and made the playoffs every year. Sadly both also failed to win another ring. The icing on the cake for Rodgers is that he even copied Favre's exit strategy, teasing retirement year after year, throwing an interception on his last-ever pass in a Green Bay uniform, and finally getting traded to the Jets. The NFL continues to defy reality.

Aaron Rodgers leaving puts the pressure on Jordan Love.

Packers fans are already assuming the former 1st round pick will maintain the legacy. Rodgers replaced Favre after three years on the bench and became a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Love will do the same thing. It's fate. Well, history suggests the likelihood of that happening is astronomical. It is possible the young man will end up being a good quarterback, but the signs aren't there. While talented, the reports out of Green Bay show a player that never quite showed the same consistent flashes Rodgers did during his waiting period from 2005 to 2007. Packers fans are desperate for it to be true. Older fans remember what life was like without great quarterback play. They want no part of that.

One thing is for sure. Aaron Rodgers' exit leaves the NFC North open. The current favorites to win the division will be Minnesota and Detroit. However, neither team has a Hall of Fame QB to help maintain supremacy. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears have started the process of building around Justin Fields. They found him a legitimate weapon in wide receiver D.J. Moore. Nate Davis also arrived from Tennessee to bolster their offensive line. More is coming with ten picks in the NFL draft. The window is open.