GREEN BAY, Wis. — At this level, the Green Bay Packers insist they need Aaron Rodgers again subsequent season.
That, nonetheless, could possibly be open for dialogue within the offseason.
Rodgers, 39, signed a three-year, $150 million contract final March that runs by way of the 2024 season. It contained a $58.3 million assured bonus for subsequent season that might solely void if he retired.
“Properly definitely that is an offseason-type type of determination, however absolutely, yeah,” Packers basic supervisor Brian Gutekunst mentioned Monday when requested if he desires Rodgers again subsequent season. “I imply we would like all our guys again. We made a giant dedication to him this offseason, in order that was clearly one thing that was actually necessary to us. However like we have talked about prior to now, that is one thing we’ll sit down with him after the season and will probably be one thing we do collectively and transfer ahead that method.”
Gutekunst was already scheduled to talk to reporters on Monday as a part of the Packers’ bye week, even earlier than Rodgers rekindled the subject following Sunday’s win over the Chicago Bears when he mentioned of his future: “There’s obtained be mutual need on each side.”
Gutekunst mentioned he and Rodgers haven’t mentioned subsequent season and wouldn’t speculate on why Rodgers mentioned that on Sunday. Rodgers has not mentioned whether or not he intends to play in 2023.
“We do not discuss these issues through the season fairly often,” Gutekunst mentioned. “We simply speak extra about our staff once we converse. Actually that’ll be one thing we get to. … However once more, we went by way of one thing within the offseason the place it was a really large dedication on our half. It wasn’t definitely for one 12 months. However no, we actually have not had any conversations about that stuff through the season.”
Rodgers’ contract wouldn’t it make it tough to commerce or launch him due to the huge quantities of lifeless cash that might impression the wage cap.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur did not hesitate to say, “Yeah, completely, after all,” when requested Monday if he needed Rodgers again.
He has performed by way of a damaged thumb and a rib harm this season. He mentioned Sunday that each could possibly be shut to totally healed after the bye.
The Packers have 4 video games remaining, starting with the Monday Evening Soccer recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 19. At 5-8, they have not been eradicated from playoff rivalry, however one other loss might make that official.
At that time, the Packers should resolve whether or not to close down Rodgers and go together with Jordan Love the remainder of the way in which.
“I feel clearly if we get to that time, we’ll type of have a look at these issues,” Gutekunst mentioned. “However I feel regardless of — even when we’re eradicated from the playoffs, which it would not be best — I mentioned we’re gonna nonetheless exit to win the sport, and I feel that is actually necessary. There is a bunch of men in that locker room that deserve that, so we’re gonna exit to win the sport and we’re gonna make the choices which are in the most effective pursuits of us going and profitable the sport.”
The Packers need to resolve by subsequent Could whether or not to train the fifth-year choice for the 2024 season on Love’s rookie contract. That will be price within the $20 million vary. Love has began just one recreation in his first three seasons, a loss at Kansas Metropolis in 2022. However he had a promising present in reduction of Rodgers two weeks in the past at Philadelphia.
Gutekunst mentioned the Packers need not see Love in additional motion to resolve whether or not to choose up the choice.
“I feel that it might be actually good for him — the expansion that it’s essential to undergo, seeing issues for the primary time, making these errors that it’s essential to make,” Gutekunst mentioned. “However I feel from our finish of it, we have seen what we have to see.”