Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst was unable to provide an update on the future of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but the team’s decision-maker did make it clear that all options remain on the table.
The three primary options for Rodgers and the Packers: returning to Green Bay in 2023, retiring from football or facilitating a trade.
Speaking from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Gutekunst said there’s “no update” on Rodgers because the two sides “haven’t had conversations yet.” The Packers general manager was mostly non-committal about the team wanting Rodgers back in 2023.
“He’s a great player, but until we have those conversations, I think all options are on the table right now,” Gutekunst told Rob Demovsky of ESPN and the rest of the local Green Bay media. “But we really need to have those conversations. We want what’s best for the Green Bay Packers, what’s best for Aaron. So, we’ll get to that once those conversations happen.”
First, Rodgers must decide if wants to keep playing. If football is in his plans for 2023, it’s up to him and the Packers to determine where he’ll play. The two sides have two weeks until the start of the new league year to figure it out.
The Packers finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs in 2022. Gutekunst called the season “disappointing,” and the sharp dip in performance from Rodgers – who turns 40 years old in December – created a natural fork in the road and a decision point for the Packers at quarterback.
Move forward with Rodgers for another year, or start the transition to Jordan Love, who Gutekunst believes is ready to start in the NFL right now?
On the first question, Gutekunst mostly sidestepped during his answer.
“Those discussions have to happen and making sure that it’s the right fit, but obviously, we know the type of player Aaron is, once we have those conversations, we’ll be able to move forward and we’ll have more to say,” Gutekunst said.
Important, franchise-changing talks between Gutekunst and Rodgers loom while the football world waits.
