Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Stephen A. Smith has a bold take on Aaron Rodgers’ future with the Green Bay Packers.
With Aaron Rodgers‘ status with the Green Bay Packers in limbo, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith throws his hat into the ring with his scorching take on the situation.
“I even hope that he’s willing to inch toward retirement before going back to [the Green Bay Packers],” said Smith on ESPN’s First Take Monday. Rodgers is in the final year of his contract with the Packers. He has missed the opt-out window for the 2021 NFL season, but could opt to retire rather than play another down for the Packers. Is Smith onto something or is this just ludicrous?
Would Rodgers rather retire prematurely than play another snap for the Packers franchise again?
Stephen A. Smith gives his take on Aaron Rodgers’ future with the Packers
Rodgers has a potential out in his contract with Green Bay after this upcoming season. 2021 will be his age-38 season out of Cal. While Rodgers has the arm talent to play into his early-to-mid-40s, if he feels so inclined, we should expect him to do so in another uniform besides the Packers. Retiring prematurely only to come back mid-season feels like it is not happening at this point.
What will probably end up happening is Rodgers will report to training camp and play his final season in Packers uniform in 2021. He will be a free agent next winter and will get to pick his new place of employment. All the while, Green Bay will effectively transition to former first-round pick Jordan Love. Expect him to be the Packers’ starting quarterback ahead of the 2022 NFL season.
Smith almost hoping for Rodgers to retire at this point of the offseason seems a bit unrealistic.