Packers president Mark Murphy: 'We're not idiots. Aaron Rodgers will be back'
Green Bay Packers fans can stop editing their emotional YouTube goodbye videos to Aaron Rodgers now. Following Sunday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Rodgers offered up some cryptic statements about his future, leading some to speculate Rodgers could retire or force his way off the Packers.
That’s not the case, according to team president and CEO Mark Murphy. While appearing on a Packers radio show, Murphy said Rodgers “will be back.”
Mark Murphy on 42nd season finale of the 5th Quarter:
"We're not idiots. Aaron Rodgers will be back, he's our leader."
Special thanks to Scott at Narrow Bridge Brewhouse.
Daryl at Robinson's Inc. for another great year of Monday nights.— Mark Daniels (@markdanielsWNFL) January 26, 2021
That statement seems definitive. Perhaps Murphy knows more about Rodgers’ thinking than he let on during the postgame news conference.
If not, well, Murphy is making a big assumption. Ultimately, it’s up to Rodgers to decide whether he wants to return. If he retired or tried to force a trade, there’s not much Murphy can do about that.
Aaron Rodgers says his future is uncertain
Rodgers drew plenty of speculation with his comments following Sunday’s loss. After the contest, Rodgers admitted his future was “uncertain.”
“A lot of guys’ futures, they’re uncertain — myself included,” Rodgers said after Sunday’s 31-26 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “That’s what’s sad about it, most. Getting this far, obviously there’s going to be an end to it at some point, whether we make it past this one or not. But just the uncertainty is tough and the finality of it all.”
While some read that as Rodgers saying he could retire, others — like former Packers great Brett Favre — believed Rodgers was just expressing his frustration after the loss. Favre added there was no reason for Rodgers to retire, especially after Rodgers posted fantastic numbers in 2020.
That’s true. Rodgers set a career high with 48 touchdown passes in 2020. Though he’s 37, he’s still playing at an elite level. There’s little — aside from an age-related drop off — suggesting he can’t do it again next year.
If Rodgers can play at a similar level in 2021, the Packers will once again be a Super Bowl contender. One would think that would be enough to compel Rodgers to keep going, but that decision is up to Rodgers.
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