Packers Reportedly "Moving On" From Aaron Rodgers

The Green Bay Packers signed Aaron Rodgers to a massive contract extension last off-season. He was coming off his second straight MVP award and had carried the team to another division title. Hopes were high that he'd do more of the same in 2022. That didn't pan out. Rodgers regressed in almost every way, looking as mortal as he has in years, and the team stumbled to an 8-9 finish, missing the playoffs. Some were quick to defend the future Hall of Famer, claiming he didn't have enough support.

It appears the reality is far different behind the scenes in Green Bay. Things have reached a breaking point inside the organization. According to Bob McGinn of Go Long, the Packers aren't even contemplating the idea of starting Rodgers for another year. They are tired of the distractions and the unfulfilled promises.

Plans are to move on whether the quarterback chooses to return or not.

“As of right now, I’m convinced — based on my own instincts and knowing the NFL and knowing what happens after all these defeats and discussions with someone who has firsthand knowledge of this organization, of the Packers’ internal debates — that they are done with Rodgers. That’s the way it is right now, that he’s not coming back. They’re disgusted with him and they’re done with him and they’re moving on. This is going to involve money and a trade partner and all kinds of things. But I’m totally convinced he is not going to be their starting quarterback this year...

...It’s Love’s turn. The organization’s going that way. And that’s the way it is. This is everybody, I’m told. This is Murphy. This is LaFleur. This is Gutekunst. This is the whole shooting match. They’ve turned the page. They don’t see Rodgers as a guy who’s really working hard anymore. They see a guy who — when he reported this year — his body wasn’t so-called ‘tight’ and strong as it was. They see a guy who blew off the offseason last year. … They’re done."

Wow. That certainly explains a lot. Green Bay had largely accepted Rodgers and his quirks because he always showed up in shape and prepared for the season. This time around, he didn't arrive for off-season activities. When he showed up, he wasn't in top shape or fully focused. Combine that with his clunker against Detroit in the season finale? It's not hard to see why the Packers are done.

The Aaron Rodgers saga has reached its poetic conclusion.

People started to notice how similar Rodgers' career arc was becoming to Brett Favre's. It started brilliantly with MVPs and a Super Bowl title. The stats piled up during the 2010s as did the playoff appearances. However, Rodgers failed to win a second championship. He became known less for his individual brilliance and more for his postseason shortcomings. Favre ended his Packers career with a backbreaking interception in the NFC championship. Now it seems Rodgers did the same against Detroit last month. The last vision fans will have of him in green and gold is an interception.

That must taste extra sweet to those who never liked him. Aaron Rodgers will go down as one of the all time greats at his position. His gold jacket is waiting for him in Canton. That said, it is hard not to look at his career and feel a tinge of disappointment. Patrick Mahomes has played five seasons and already has two MVPs and two rings. Rodgers' 12-10 record in the playoffs includes losses to Eli Manning, Colin Kaepernick, Carson Palmer, and Jimmy Garoppolo. All of them are considered inferior to him. That is not the legacy one would want.

His chances to change that finally ran out.