If Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers chooses to retire before the 2022 season, the team will officially usher in the Jordan Love era.
The Packers had two outstanding seasons in 2020 and 2021 that ended up short of trips to the Super Bowl.
Rodgers seemed uncertain of his future after the 2020 season and took a long time to find his way back to the team.
After the 2021 season, he indicated the decision will be made quickly, potentially within weeks.
Here are three reasons why Rodgers could decide to retire and complete the trifecta of legendary quarterbacks retiring after the 2021 season (Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Ben Roethlisberger).
3. He Has Plenty Of Other Interests
Rodgers demonstrated his versatility after the 2020 season.
He was a guest host on Jeopardy!.
Early look: a contestant’s answer during Final Jeopardy: “Who decided to kick that field goal?”
Aaron Rodgers takes it in stride: “That is a great question.”
🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/Wd0vFZiL6I
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 5, 2021
Rodgers has a decent golf game that he could certainly spend more time refining in retirement.
@aaronrodgers12 flashing the 4 on the golf course….
Aaron Rodgers could very well be a 4xMVP winner after tonight's NFL HONORS…. pic.twitter.com/TQlAyEYG7M
— ftball.kingdom (@ftball_kingdom) February 10, 2022
His engagement to actress Shailene Woodley is still reportedly on though the couple has not been seen together publicly for some time.
Some people are saying that Aaron Rodgers and Shailene Woodley broke off their engagement. Not sure if that's true, but if it turns out to be, I guess I wouldn't be too surprised, they seemed pretty divergent, if you ask me… #Packers #AaronRodgers
— Amanda Lauer (@amandalauer23) February 11, 2022
At some point, he may want to focus on marriage and a family either with Woodley or someone else.
2. He Has Accomplished Everything In The Game
Rodgers is a Super Bowl Champion, Super Bowl MVP, NFL MVP (four times), Pro Bowler (ten times), and All-Pro (four times on the first team and one time on the second team).
In 2021, he broke the Packers franchise record for touchdown passes overtaking Brett Favre.
History is made! 👏
Aaron Rodgers throws his 4️⃣4️⃣3️⃣rd career touchdown pass and breaks Brett Favre's franchise record! pic.twitter.com/anxb9ZVnuf
— AS USA (@English_AS) December 26, 2021
There are many more accomplishments in Rodgers 17 year career.
He is 38 years old and will turn 39 during the 2022 season.
Rodgers could be at peace with his accomplishments which will certainly land him in the Hall of Fame on the first ballot.
“I’m chasing Aaron Rodgers to try to be the best. He’s been doing it for a long time.”
– Joe Burrow gets it pic.twitter.com/m1Viz43BTX
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) February 13, 2022
1. He Is Not Satisfied With His 2022 Supporting Cast
Rodgers’ favorite wide receiving target Davante Adams is a free agent.
It seems unlikely he would return to the Packers without Adams or someone of his caliber to big the playmaker for Rodgers.
The most exciting part of this news about the Packers potentially reworking and backloading a new Aaron Rodgers contract, with voidable years that make the money work, is that it’s clear that they can make a new Davante Adams contract work, too.
No way 12 comes back without 17. pic.twitter.com/5Lxf1SkzVP
— PackersHistory.com (@PackersHistory1) February 13, 2022
In this era of salary caps and free agency, Adams’ return is not guaranteed.
Could another team lure Rodgers with their stellar roster and coaching staff as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did with Tom Brady in 2020?
It is possible, but the latest indications seem to be that Rodgers wants to stay in Green Bay.
He is happier with the Packers this offseason as he finally felt as though his input was being heard and considered on the roster and other offensive decisions.
Conclusion
Rodgers showed us in the 2021 offseason that we cannot predict what he will do.
He was at odds with the Packers and gave no indication he was coming back to play for them, but he ended up doing so.
Whether he decides to stay in Green Bay, switch teams, or retire, no one should be surprised.
The good news is that the waiting game should be considerably less in 2022 than in 2021 so we should have an idea of what he will do sooner rather than later.
NEXT: Did Aaron Rodgers Deserve NFL MVP Honors?