The Packers cotinue to wait on a decision from Aaron Rodgers regarding his intentions when it comes to playing (or not playing) in 2022. Up until Thursday of this week, all signs seemed to point toward a return to Green Bay.
Then Friday happened.
Ian Rappaport, who fans would do well to remember was the one who broke the story last summer that Rodgers would be arriving for training camp, put out the below:
With all eyes on #Packers QB Aaron Rodgers and his future, here is the latest: Sources say Rodgers is truly torn on where he wants to play in 2022. While many in the NFL expect him to return — there’s lots of positivity in Green Bay — he is going back and forth on what he wants.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2022
This was the first real indication that there could be a legit possibility of Rodgers still asking for a trade, despite the apparent reconciliation between Rodgers and the franchise after the drama of last summer.
Then, there was this from Mike Florio:
As we understand it, the Aaron Rodgers options are: Green Bay, Denver, Tennessee, or Pittsburgh. Stay tuned. https://t.co/qcIR91vXAG
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 5, 2022
I spoke with a source this morning that pushed back pretty forcibly with the contention in Mike’s piece that the Packers have trade compensation lined up with possible trade partners. Indeed the source indicated that the Packers have had absolutely zero discussions with any team about compensatiion for their super star quarterback.
I don’t doubt that this is true, but I also don’t doubt that there have been “back channel” communications, so to speak, and that a potential trade could and would come together quickly.
The Packers have made it abundantly clear they want Rodgers back. Now it’s down to Rodgers. Will he stay or will he go?
Stay tuned.