After 18 years with the Green Bay Packers, quarterback Aaron Rodgers has finally moved away from the franchise as he secured a trade to the New York Jets.
Rodgers has been flirting with leaving the Packers for some time, but it seemed as though trade rumours had finally been put to rest when he signed a bumper three-year extension last March. But after an underwhelming season, Rodgers decided to move on, after being approached by the Jets who were searching for a 'veteran quarterback'.
The 39-year-old is relishing a new opportunity late in his career, but it can't have been easy saying goodbye to a place he's called home since being drafted in 2005. Rodgers may be gone for the 2023 season, but the quarterback hinted in an emotional farewell message that he may not be saying goodbye to the Packers forever.
"I’m not sure it’s possible to fully express the gratitude that I have to the @Packers, our incredible fans, the state of Wisconsin, the thousands of players that I crossed paths with, the incredible men and women who work for the organisation, and the amazing people who I got to meet along the way, in one post with 10 pictures," Rodgers wrote in a lengthy Instagram post. "But I hope you read this and feel my heart and soul, filled with love, joy, and peace about my time in green and gold.
"I grew up in Green Bay, drafted at 21, fell in love with the game, met some lifelong friends, and take with me memories that will last a lifetime. I’m grateful to the late Ted Thompson for drafting me, for my head coaches, especially the 13 years with Mike McCarthy, and the last 4 with Matt LaFleur.
"I had some incredible men to work with in the QB room over the years including Tom, AVP, Luke, and Connor. Huge thank you to my guys in the equipment room, Red, TBone, Odea, Kev, Bryan, Andy Grouber, all my dear friends in the training room over the years, Nate, Flea, Doc McKenzie, Doc Gray, Pepp, and Cuz.
"The legendary Adam Korzun and his incredible staff; Dougie, Crabby, and Scotty, for always looking out for me; Tom, Nate, Sarah, and Jason in PR, Evan for bringing my work life to film, The Rock and Wayne, for giving words to the highlights of my career, Grey, and Big Rob for your work with our guys over the years, Bloke, Thad, Grant and Gizz in the weight room, Bob Harlan, Russ Ball, Mark Murphy and Brian Gutekunst for your stewardship of the organisation, every one on the 3rd and 4th floors who make that building run smoothly, and so many countless others at the loading dock, tours, concessions, maintenance, our field crew, etc.
"To the fans, THANK YOU, you made every run out of the tunnel special, every home game magical, and it was my honour to be your QB. To my teammates, I love you all, and am thankful for the moments on and off the field that brought us close. I played with legends, I played with friends; thanks for believing in me and having my back always.
"This is not the end for us, I will see you again Green Bay, you’ll always have my heart -12. #grateful #18years."
It wouldn't be a shock to see Rodgers retire as a Packer at the end of his current three-year deal, and it would be the fairytale end for the legendary quarterback. There would also be the possibility of non-playing roles in Wisconsin. The Packers and Rodgers owe a lot to one another, but 2023 was a good time for the two parties to head in different directions.
