Aaron Rodgers bails from weekly Pat McAfee Podcast appearance to sort out NFL future
Aaron Rodgers is one of the best personalities in the NFL and fans typically look forward to hearing from him every Tuesday on The Pat McAfee Show. However, the Green Bay Packers star didn't make his weekly Tuesday appearance on the show this week.
McAfee announced to his audience this morning that Rodgers wouldn't be on Tuesday's show. In the announcement, the former NFL punter noted that he was looking forward to hearing from the quarterback this week.
"I hear your disappointment because mine is radiating as well because I was excited for the chat, especially with everything going on in Aaron Rodgers's life professionally and on the internet, privately. Excited to kind of chat with Aaron Rodgers today because of what happened a couple of days ago, and what the future looks like. We don't know. Let's go to the man himself. That's what Aaron Rodgers Tuesday has been."
There will be no @AaronRodgers12 Tuesday today.. he is meeting with the Packers today and tomorrow.
We're gonna have a lot of answers on what the future looks like for Aaron Rodgers next Tuesday #PMSLive https://t.co/YH4Tpir4Mo
McAfee added:
"That's because Aaron Rodgers is meeting with the Packers today and tomorrow. There are said to be lengthy meetings. We don't know what's going to come from them."
Rodgers' absence from McAfee's show comes days after the Green Bay Packers lost to the Detroit Lions in Week 18. After the game, Lions rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams wanted to exchange jerseys with the four-time league MVP. However, Rodgers declined, saying he was to hold on to it.
Following the loss to the Lions, Aaron Rodgers spoke of his future with the Packers.
“It’s a feeling of what it’ll come down to this offseason, adding that he won’t hold the organization hostage with a dragged-out decision. Do I feel like I have anything left to prove to myself? Do I want to go back and gear up for another grind? Or is it time? Is it time to step away? Is it time for another voice to be leading this team?”
For the Packers, there's a major implication surrounding the possibility of their franchise signal-caller hanging up the cleats after this season.
Aaron Rodgers contract: Packers QB to be among highest-paid players in 2023
The four-time All-Pro quarterback signed a three-year, $150.8 million contract prior to the start of the season. In 2023, Rodgers is owed $58.3 million and it's fully guaranteed.
Should he want to stay with the Green Bay Packers in 2023, he's getting that $58.3 million. If they’d cut him, which seems very unlikely, Green Bay would still owe him the money.
While the Packers could trade him, no other team in the league would take on nearly $60 million if he makes it clear he doesn’t want to be there. Green Bay would take on a massive dead cap hit of $99.8 million.
In 2023, the 10-time Pro Bowler would be the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL if he returns for a 19th season.
We'll see if Rodgers comes back or will the quarterback wait five years for Canton to call to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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