Late Monday night, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers posted a lengthy message filled with gratitude on his official Instagram page, sparking speculation across social media about what it means for his future in football.
Rodgers wrote the message for “the incredibly special people” in his life and included pictures from the “last beautiful year.” He made no specific mention of retirement or his future with the Packers.
Within the post, Rodgers thanked actress Shailene Woodley, who he was engaged to last year; the people in the Packers quarterback room, including two departed coaches (Nathaniel Hackett, Luke Getsy) and both of his backups (Jordan Love, Kurt Benkert); his “Friday night crew,” which consists of Randall Cobb, David Bakhtiari and their significant others; and to teammates, both “past and current.”
Rodgers finished the message with this: “To everyone else,
Spread love and gratitude you beautiful people, and read a book once in a while too while you’re at it. Love and peace.”
Rodgers included photos with several teammates, including Cobb, Bakhtiari, Adams, Billy Turner, Preston Smith and Tim Boyle.
Speculation buzzed that Rodgers’ message could be the prelude to a possible retirement announcement. But the post could just as easily be nothing more than the personal reflection from the long-time Packers quarterback on a long, happy and sometimes difficult year, both in his personal life and on the football field.
But a decision on his future does loom.
There’s a chance Rodgers could appear on the “Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday. McAfee teased the possibility of a big guest appearing on Tuesday’s show, and Rodgers appeared every Tuesday on the show during the regular season over the last two years. Earlier this year, Rodgers said he would consider making his decision on his football future on McAfee’s show.
This week makes sense for a decision from Rodgers. The franchise tag window opens on Tuesday, and the team must start making big decisions on many different players, including Adams and Cobb. All along, Rodgers has said he wouldn’t need long to make a decision, and his future would be decided well before the start of free agency, which begins in mid-March.