GREEN BAY, Delete. – Even Aaron Rodgers doesn’t know what the future holds for him with the Green Bay Packers.
That’s how he dropped things after Sunday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Championship Game 31-26.
“[The Packers have] the future of many guys who are uncertain, including myself, “Rodgers said as part of a response about how different the team might look next season and what the 2020 campaign meant for him.” That is especially sad that it has come to that. Obviously, whether we get past this or not, it will come to an end at some point, but it’s just the uncertainty of the toughness and finality of it all. “
The 37-year-old presumptive NFL MVP is under contract through 2023 via the $ 134 million contract extension he signed in 2018. the eventual replacement, Jordan Love, with the 26th choice in last year’s design.
What followed was arguably Rodgers’ best campaign – 48 touchdowns and only five interceptions in the regular season – and a fifth appearance in the NFC title game. Sunday was Rodgers’ first chance to play in the championship game at home, but he became the first quarterback in NFL history to lose four consecutive appearances in a championship game. His lone win was his first win as a starter, after the 2010 season, en route to his lone Super Bowl title.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur, however, spoke strongly of Rodgers’ return for next season.
“I really hope so,” said LaFleur. “I mean, the guy is the MVP of this league. He’s the heart and soul of our soccer team. So, damn, he better be back here. He’s our leader, and you know, he’s so grateful that He buys in what we He’s trying to get around here and lead that group His voice carries a lot of weight in that dressing room and just, you know, I feel for him He’s in this situation and for us for nothing Get it done, man, it hurts. “
Rodgers has a salary cap of $ 36.3 million in 2021 and $ 39.9 million in 2022. If he and the team went their separate ways after the 2021 season, the Packers would save $ 22,648 million in salary limit space, but they should count. $ 17.204 million in dead money. If they continued after this season, they would save just $ 4.76 million on the limit and have $ 31.556 million in dead money.
Despite being at the top of his game and knowing very well the status of his contract, Rodgers spoke with some uncertainty about the future.
“It’s a good question,” said Rodgers when asked what’s next. “I don’t know; I really don’t know. There are a lot of strangers going into this low season right now. I will definitely have to take some time to clear my head and just see what’s going on but it’s on this difficult moment, especially when you think about the guys who may or may not be here next year, there is always change, which is the only constant in this industry.
‘Getting to this point is a drag. And that means that its finality hits you like a lot of stones. That is why it is a tight feeling in your stomach. ‘
Last week, Rodgers called his future a “beautiful mystery.”
Rodgers also did something on Sunday that he has never done before as a season draws to a close: he thanked reporters during the video conference.
“I appreciate all of you and the work you’ve done this year,” Rodgers said. “I appreciate our interactions, appreciate the opportunity to share every week and will always be grateful for this season. Thank you.”
Rodgers went 33-for-48 for 346 yards on Sunday with three touchdowns and one interception. Without All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari, Rodgers was pressured (fired or forcibly) 22 times, the most in his playoff career, according to data from ESPN Stats & Information. Shaquil Barrett pressured him seven times, with Rodgers going 0-for-4 with three sacks on those plays.
Rodgers never got a chance for a game-winning drive, as after LaFleur opted for an eight-point field goal with just over 2 minutes to go, the Packers never got the ball back.