We are now 10 days away from the start of the 2023 league year, and there is still no clarity on the Aaron Rodgers situation. In February, a report surfaced indicating that the Packers’ entire power structure is “done with Rodgers” and ready to turn the QB reins over to Jordan Love, while a subsequent report suggested that Green Bay would be amenable to a Rodgers return if the 10-time Pro Bowler is “fully bought in.”
Rodgers’ “darkness retreat,” in which he spent a few days in isolation to consider his future, concluded sometime in the middle of February, but at the end of the month, GM Brian Gutekunst said that he had not yet spoken with Rodgers aside from a few text messages (via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com). And, as Demovsky noted, Gutekunst was noncommittal when asked who his 2023 QB1 will be, which is notable in light of his unequivocally stating in December that he wanted Rodgers back and then deferring to Rodgers’ four MVP honors when asked in January which of his top two passers gives the club the best chance to win.
As of now, the beginning of free agency on March 15 remains the soft deadline for Rodgers to make a decision as to whether he wants to retire, return to the Packers, or be traded, though Gutekunst is still not pushing the franchise icon to clarify his intentions.
Now for more from Titletown:
- In the same piece linked above, Gutekunst is quoted as saying that he has not had any specific trade talks concerning Rodgers. We did hear last month that the Jets had “inquired” on Rodgers’ availability, though technically speaking, such an inquiry may not qualify as “trade talks” if actual compensation was not discussed.
- Also in Demovsky’s piece, Gutekunst reiterated his belief that Love is ready to be a starting quarterback, and as Tyler Dunne of GoLongTD.com (subscription required) writes, many current Packers players believe the same, just as the team knew Rodgers was ready to take up the mantle from Brett Favre in 2008. All of the Rodgers-related reports that have surfaced in 2023 lend credence to the notion that, while Green Bay may be open to one more year with Rodgers at the helm, it may actually prefer to trade him and begin life with Love.
- Moving away from the Packers’ quarterbacks room, free agent-to-be WR Allen Lazard told SiriusXM NFL Radio last month that his agent has had some discussions with team brass about a new contract, but at this point, it sounds as if Lazard will have a chance to test his luck on the open market (audio link). With Davante Adams no longer in the picture, Lazard became more of a focal point of the Green Bay offense in 2022, setting career bests in targets (100), receptions (60), and yards (788). His 60% reception rate was a career low, though Rodgers has said, if he returns to the Packers in 2023, he would want the team to re-sign Lazard.
- Another of Rodgers’ favorite targets, WR Randall Cobb, recently underwent ankle surgery, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Cobb, 32, is out of contract, though if he chooses to play in 2023, he will be able to do so without pain.
- The Packers recently restructured the contracts of a few high-profile players for salary cap purposes. Per Rapoport, cornerback Jaire Alexander and edge defender Preston Smith both agreed to reworked deals that will open up a little more than $16MM of cap space (Twitter link). Demovsky passes along some details (Twitter links), pointing out that the team added a void year (2027) to the back end of both contracts.
- Likewise, ESPN’s Field Yates tweets that the Packers converted roughly $13.8MM of DT Kenny Clark‘s 2023 pay into a signing bonus, thereby opening up a little over $11MM in cap room. Demovsky again offers a complete breakdown of the restructure (via Twitter).
Call back when there’s something to report.
I’m shocked there haven’t been daily “updates” on the subject. And by updates I mean stuff made up by the media, or they got from “sources familiar with the situation” which we never get told who these people are. I suspect because they don’t really exist.
Rodgers: The Dalai Lama of Drama
Rogers traded to a daytime game show for tickets to six flags over Georgia
Rodgers is virtually untradeable – as the combination of his contract, his age, his behavior, and oddly enough his talent – will prevent any kind of agreement on what his trade value really is. The Packers are thinking high picks, while everyone else is likely thinking something mid-round due to Rodgers last minute impact on their salary cap and his temporary duty outlook on football.
As for Love – think Brock Osweiler, only shorter. He looks like he has NFL talent, but he reads defenses at a Dr. Seuss level.
He can’t hit the broadside of a barn either
he is still the best qb when healthy. it was the morons who are running the team. that thought he could still be the best with wrs who could not catch a football.
love must be ready to play if his opponents are the bears every week.
Rodgers would only cost about $15 million in cap space for an acquiring team in 2023.
That depends on how the Packers deal with him. If they cut him the Packers have to eat a TON of the dead cap money and the new team is only responsible for his new base salary (which would still need to be negotiated) – but if the Packers trade him the acquiring team picks up the burden of all that deferred money (as it is part of his contract) – assuming of course that Rodgers doesn’t rework his contract as part of the trade.
Remaining bonus money (initial bonus accounts equally to every year signed for) would be immediately accelerated to the packers cap hit unless negotiated differently to accommodate a trade. Bonus = already paid out money that goes into accounting for each season.
Ex
100 signing bonus
5 year deal
20 bonus on each years cap hit
Traded with 2 years left = acceleration of 2×20 cap hit to packers
I believe the big balloon payment due for the upcoming season/league year can be paid at any time after the new league year begins. I believe I read that GB’s logical plan, IF they intend to trade him, is to wait it out and the acquiring team would then be responsible for it..of course, assuming there isn’t a rework or completely new deal done.
Also, any official trade almost certainly won’t happen until after June 1, which helps GB’s cap situation tremendously. I don’t recall the exact numbers, but over the cap has the info for pre and post June 1 trade scenarios.
ohhh the humanity
Rodgers to the Jets, and they will still not be this amazing side everyone thinks they will be.
Derek Carr to the Saints, and they will be back into the playoffs and really solid.
Jimmy G to the Raiders, they are left with limited options and McDaniels has to bring him in to save his job. Will do alright but not amaze anyone.
Baker Mayfield, to the Commaders. Very surprising and catches everyone off guard. Listed as a bridge QB but will do well under their new OC who they grabbed of the Chiefs.
Carson Wentz takes back up money to go to Packers. Will compete with Jordan Love for the starting role, not sure if he can win it but good opportunity.
Seahawks will sit happy with Geno Smith
Texans draft Bryce Young second overall
Colts take CJ Stroud 4th overal
Panthers move up to grab Will Levis and he will be the 1 QB in the first round that will stink it up.
1/1 so far ….
Make that 2/2 now
I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of Rodgers being all mysterious and secretive to continue garnering attention.
It’s so unlike him.
Trade him and start loves time. Aaron isn’t going to retire because Brady retired this year and he’s too egotistical so you can be threatened with that.
If Love was really ready they wouldn’t have extended Rodgers.
love is ready to play in xfl.
I’m betting the Packers know more about the situation then they’re leading on. Maybe Rodgers has given a list of teams he’d be willing to be traded to. Maybe they’re redoing contract to trade or keep.
I’d hope they do, and assuming that’s true, glad they’re keeping their mouths shut for the most part. It’s mildly annoying with the endless “updates” giving zero new information, but it’s quite entertaining to see so many people lose their minds complaining about stories they claim to have no interest in, but read AND respond day after day.