Aaron Rodgers comes clean on retirement talk amid Tom Brady decision
The future of Aaron Rodgers is currently in the air. The quarterback has not decided whether he's going to return to the Green Bay Packers after a disappointing 2022 season. He also knows that if he stays with the team for another year, he'll need to restructure his contract.
The two other obvious options are retiring and moving to another team, although it's going to be difficult to trade for him because of his contract and his age. Still, Rodgers knows that the Packers are close to entering rebuilding mode, and he's not going to be a part of it.
During his weekly appearance at the Pat McAfee Show, he also shut down the idea that he hasn't retired yet because he wants the attention for himself and not to share with other stars that hung up the boots this season:
"The idea I wouldn't want to share a stage with Tom (Brady) and J.J. Watt is ridiculous. Their decision doesn't impact mine."
J.J. Watt announced his retirement right before the final week of the regular season, while Tom Brady announced his second retirement after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Round.
Which team will Aaron Rodgers play for in 2023?
There seem to be three possible options for the veteran quarterback next season.
The favorite seems to be the Las Vegas Raiders, who have a team with many stars and Rodgers' best friend, wide receiver Davante Adams. They had a fantastic partnership for eight seasons in Green Bay before the receiver was traded to Las Vegas in the 2022 offseason.
The second option is staying with the Packers, accepting a contract restructure and trying to win another ring with the team. Green Bay is in a complicated situation cap-wise, but if Rodgers gives up some of his money, they'll be able to sign other players to help with a final Super Bowl push.
There's also the possibility of Rodgers playing for the New York Jets, as they look to fix the quarterback position to aid a roster full of talented young players. The Jets have the necessary cap room to accommodate him, but he just doesn't seem very interested in playing in New York.
If the 39-year-old does decide to retire, then he'll be subject to returning a ton of signing bonus money to the Packers. It will interesting to see what the star quarterback decides.