The likelihood of Aaron Rodgers playing for the Packers in 2021 does not seem to be decreasing. But the chances of Rodgers playing for a different team in 2022 and beyond seem to be increasing.
According to the NFL Network, Rodgers has “indicated” to others that he is planning on playing for the Packers this season. That tweet Monday comes after Rodgers and star wide receiver Davante Adams posted the same cryptic social media message on Friday.
Monday afternoon, ESPN reported that Rodgers and the team were working out details on his contract that would allow him to depart Green Bay after the 2021 season.
Rodgers has three years left on his deal with the Packers, though — as of now — Green Bay could get out of the contract after the 2021 season for just $17 million in dead money on the salary cap. While Schefter’s tweet doesn’t provide salary cap specifics, we’re guessing that dead money number could be going down as part of these discussions between Rodgers and the team.
Rodgers’ 2021 salary cap hit is set to be just north of $37 million as part of a four-year deal he signed with the team that kicked in after the 2019 season.
And while we know that Rodgers and the Packers are working toward something that will keep him in Green Bay for this season, we still don’t know for sure if Rodgers will be present when the Packers’ training camp starts on Wednesday. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Rodgers absent this week — especially if contract details are still being ironed out — and the tweet from Ian Rapoport makes no mention of Rodgers’ training camp status. Could the star QB wait a little bit before reporting to draw out the saga even further?
As long as Rodgers ultimately shows up, the Packers may not mind some hesitation. That would mean more first-team reps for second-year QB Jordan Love. The Packers took Love in the first round of the 2020 draft and that decision to draft Love instead of a wide receiver who could have played right away is playing a part in the drama between the team and Rodgers.
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