There was some discussion earlier this offseason about what was ahead for Aaron Rodgers before the Green Bay Packers‘ quarterback signed a four-year extension in March. Rodgers’ situation was also linked to receiver Davante Adams, who was eventually traded to the Las Vegas Raiders a few days after Rodgers agreed to that extension. At that time, there were reports that Rodgers was “aware of the developments with Adams” and even “knew Davante Adams would never play for the Packers again” when he signed his deal. But Rodgers’ comments on Adams Thursday night on The Pat McAfee Show paint perhaps a slightly different picture:
"When I made my decision I was thinking Davante would be back but I have so much love for him & I wish him the best" ~@AaronRodgers12#PMSSeatGeekSpectacular125k pic.twitter.com/WuoNnPvnMP
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 29, 2022
Here’s more on that from Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk:
“Obviously, when I made my decision I was still thinking he was going to come back,” Rodgers said. “I was very honest with him about my plans and my future and where I saw my career going, as far as how many years I want to play. But I felt like he was going to be back. Didn’t obviously turn out that way, but I have so much love for ‘Tae and appreciate the time we spent together and definitely wish him the best in Derek [Carr] in Vegas. But that’s a big hole to fill, for sure.”
And here’s another notable quote from that discussion, via Zach Kruse of USA Today‘s Packers Wire:
Aaron Rodgers on losing Davante Adams: "I thought based on the number we offered Davante and being able to play with me for a few more years would definitely make a difference, but in the end he was ready to move on."
*play with me for a few more years* seems noteworthy
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) April 29, 2022
The “few more years” is indeed noteworthy, as is the “how many years I want to play” in the quote ahead of that. How the 38-year-old Rodgers’ extension here actually works is that there’s $150 million guaranteed due to him over this year (which he already had a previous contract for) and the next two years, with two “dummy years” tacked on at the end to help with his cap him. If he decides to keep playing in 2025 (when he’d turn 42 during the season), he’d then rework the contract again.
But there’s been lots of speculation about just how long Rodgers will actually play; the contract’s set up for him to ideally play at least three more seasons, but it bears a significant reduction in dead money (from at least $68 million to as low as $27.6 million) ahead of the 2024 season. His “a few more years” comment does seem to suggest he plans to play through at least 2023, and maybe beyond.
Of course, that all could change, as decisions often do. We saw that with Tom Brady retiring and then unretiring this year. But it is notable that Rodgers is indicating here his intention (before the Adams trade) was to play in Green Bay for at least “a few more years.”
Beyond that, there’s maybe something interesting with the “big hole to fill” comment. Rodgers’ comments here are quite low-key compared to his criticisms of the Packers’ front office in the past. And he really isn’t even criticizing here, just pointing out that they will to find a way to replace Adams’ receiving production (whether with additions or with players already on the roster).
And it’s notable that elsewhere in that discussion, Rodgers mentioned that they’ve had success drafting receivers in the second (including Adams in 2014) and third rounds in the past, so he isn’t even really blasting the team for picking defensive players Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt in the first round rather than receivers (unlike when he criticized their first-round selection of quarterback Jordan Love in 2020). But it will be interesting to see if they do draft a receiver in the next couple of rounds, and if they don’t, how Rodgers might react.
