The Green Bay Packers have many obstacles ahead of them as they tackle the dreaded ghost of the 2020 season.
With back-to-back defeats in the NFC Conference Championship, something or someone on this team must give.
It is certain that change is lurking in the shadows of Green Bay as this team hasn’t been good enough to make it to the ‘big game’.
One of those shadows — believe it or not — is star quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.
Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, reports that Rodgers was sending a message to the organization in his post game presser last week.
The question that remains, will the Packers give him what he wants?
Here are three reasons why the Packers should extend the future hall of famer.
“We’re not idiots” Green Bay Packers CEO States
After Aaron Rodger’s postgame comments, Packers CEO and President, Mark Murphy came out and said, “we’re not idiots”.
Of course, this was in relation to whether or not the Packers wanted to retain Rodgers.
The Packers would indeed be idiots, if they decided to let Rodgers go.
Aaron Rodgers signed a 4 year, $134 million deal in 2018 that keeps him signed in Green Bay through 2023.
His average salary ranks 5th amongst quarterbacks.
If the Packers do indeed want to keep their quarterback happy, they should give him an extension.
With a contract extension, “he’ll definitely get one thing: Clarity as to where he stands” Florio reported earlier in the week.
He goes on to mention that the contract extension could be seen as, “renewed vows”, between both parties.
After a disappointing end to their season — and an apparent disgruntled Rodgers postgame — the Packers should give their quarterback what he wants because it is evident their Super Bowl aspirations walk out of the door with him, if he were to leave.
Still Playing At An MVP Level
Age is just a number.
Over the last couple years, we have seen athletes in numerous sports play at an extremely high level, despite their “old age”.
Tom Brady — 43 years of age — will be playing in his 10th Super Bowl a week from Sunday.
LeBron James — 36 years of age — is coming off his 4th NBA Championship.
Aaron Rodgers — 37 years of age — is coming off, arguably, the best year of his career.
Many sources around the league are speculating that Aaron Rodgers will win his 3rd MVP.
Shoutout to Aaron Rodgers on a remarkable season
▪️ watches Packers select QB in first round in 2020 Draft
▪️ leads NFL with career-high 48 Pass TD
▪️ favorite to win 3rd MVP Award
▪️ leads GB to second straight NFC Championship Game pic.twitter.com/G2cMy5m7Mv— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) January 24, 2021
Aaron Rodgers finished this past season completing 70.7% of his passes, throwing for 4,299 yards, 48 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
Although he fell short in the Conference Championship, Rodgers proved to this team that he still has what it takes to play at a high level in this league.
As Deion Sanders says, “if you feel good, you look good. If you look good, you play good. If you good, they pay good.”
Where Do The Green Bay Packers Go Without Him?
For arguments sake, let’s say the Green Bay Packers wanted to move off of Aaron Rodgers.
What direction do they go?
In last year’s draft, the Packers traded up to select QB, Jordan Love.
Does Green Bay believe in their heart of hearts that Love gives them the best chance of winning moving forward?
Even if they do, many would find that hard to believe.
It was only a year ago, that reports broke out of how Love was struggling in camp.
Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports:
“Love has yet to even provide a glimpse at why the Packers traded up to draft him in the first round. Nobody expected him to take the world by storm in his first nine practices, but every throw he makes seems like a touch pass and he’s had some accuracy issues early on.”
All rookies endure their fair share of struggles when translating there game over to the NFL.
But, why give Jordan Love the keys to the franchise when Aaron Rodgers has been playing at an all-time level over the past two seasons.
Most passing TDs in last 2 seasons
1. Aaron Rodgers – 83
2. Patrick Mahomes – 78 pic.twitter.com/G44p8uWBbM— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) January 28, 2021
There have been no signs of regression in Aaron’s game.
He has given the Packers every single reason to bring him back.
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