Aaron Rodgers planned Packers legacy in Kobe Bryant, Derek Jeter's image, then what happened?
Aaron Rodgers' move to the New York Jets might not be completed yet, but he has already announced his desire to leave the Green Bay Packers. The quarterback has spent 18 seasons in Green Bay, earning a name for himself as one of the NFL's best athletes. However, his relationship with the Packers organization seems to have taken a sour turn.
However, Rodgers' initial decision was to retire with the Packers.
The 39-year-old, who won the 2010 Super Bowl, meant to cement his legacy with the team. Aaron Rodgers' inspirations were Kobe Bryant, Derek Jeter and Tim Duncan. In a 2016 interview, he spoke of his time with the Packers, which would indeed leave behind a legacy.
"You look at two of my favorite players from my sports-watching lifetime: Derek Jeter and Kobe Bryant, and now Tim Duncan has just retired," Rodgers said. "Those are three amazing examples of guys who played the entire time. Their legacy, I think, gets made in those later years, where they have already proven to win championships and be at the top of their game.
"They stay with the same team. They stick it out. ... I think there's a lot to be said about finishing your legacy with one team. It would be nice if I am able to do that."
NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who retired in 2016, played 20 years with the LA Lakers. Tim Duncan, the No. 1 pick from the 1997 draft, was with the San Antonio Spurs until he retired in 2016. And Derek Jeter, who retired in 2014, played two decades with the New York Yankees.
𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: The #Packers indeed want a 1st round pick "and more" in order to trade QB Aaron Rodgers, multiple sources tell Mike Florio of PFT. https://t.co/7cONxTTjhH
Irrespective of their championship numbers or MVP awards, these icons have secured their places as franchise icons, their names synonymous with the teams they played for.
Is Aaron Rodgers signing with the New York Jets?
According to Rodgers, he went into his darkness retreat thinking mostly of retirement, and 10% of coming back and playing. However, he reported that the Packers shifted their opinion.
Aaron Rodgers said that the team was "shopping," and something in their dynamic had changed. Having said that, there is no confirmation from either team or Rodgers about the final deal.
The QB revealed the news while on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday:
"Since Friday, I made it clear my intention was to play for the New York Jets, and I haven't been holding anything up. It's the compensation that the Packers are trying to get (sorted)."