An NFL executive now understands why the Green Bay Packers are more open than ever to trading Aaron Rodgers. The unnamed exec says the veteran QB held the team “hostage” for a massive contract extension in 2022 and has broken the landmark deal this season.
Athletic NFL writer Mike Sando dropped an article in which he spoke to several NFL executives to get their thoughts on the Rodgers-Packers situation.
“I think he showed his true colors last offseason when he held them hostage and took $50 million a year,” another executive said. “He knew he could get his best offer from the Packers, and now that he’s got it, now that he’s secured the sack, he’s good to go.”
Another executive added that he thought the Packers would trade him elsewhere, but mentioned the team missed a big opportunity last year and why now Green Bay is definitely “done” with Rodgers.
“I think the Packers are done with him,” a longtime NFL team executive said on condition of anonymity for competitive reasons. “The time to jump was last year. They missed the ability to maximize their earnings. And they missed the playoffs. When they moved Davante (Adams), they should have moved Aaron and said, ‘We’re doing it again and we’ve got all these picks.’ They could have sent him to Denver.
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There has been speculation about Rodgers’ future, both with the Packers and in the NFL, since the end of the regular season. The team may not want him, but at least one teammate doesn’t want to see him go.
As Aaron Rodgers prepares for a journey into the darkness to decide his future, Aaron Jones has asked the four-time NFL MVP to stay with the Green Bay Packers.
Jones called Rodgers “our boss” and said he would “love” to see him again in 2023.
Rodgers said this week on The Pat McAfee Show that he plans to go on a four-day “dark retirement” shortly after the Super Bowl before making a decision on whether to play in 2023 or retire.
The four-time NFL MVP has a fully guaranteed option bonus of $58.3 million that must be claimed between March 17 and Week 1 of the 2023 season.