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GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Rodgers is planning to come back again to the Inexperienced Bay Packers for an 18th season, a transfer that retains the reigning MVP off the commerce market and solutions the query that had dominated NFL offseason discussions.
Rodgers despatched out a tweet Tuesday afternoon confirming his return.
“YES, I might be taking part in with the Packers subsequent 12 months,” Rodgers stated. “Nevertheless, stories about me signing a contract are inaccurate, as are the supposed phrases of the contract ‘I signed.’ I am very excited to be again.”
NFL Community and Pat McAfee, the host of “The Pat McAfee Present” on SiriusXM and YouTube, had each reported earlier within the day that Rodgers was staying with the Packers. Rodgers makes a weekly look on McAfee’s present through the season.
NFL Community reported that the 38-year-old Rodgers had agreed to a four-year, $200 million contract that features $153 million in assured cash. McAfee disputed the phrases and stated the contract wasn’t signed but, and Rodgers’ tweet backed up McAfee’s account.
Rodgers’ choice comes practically a month after he gained his second straight MVP award. The four-time MVP quarterback has spent his whole profession in Inexperienced Bay.
He stated he wished to make an announcement on his future earlier than the beginning of the free company interval that begins subsequent week. The stories of his choice surfaced the identical day the Packers positioned the franchise tag on All-Professional receiver Davante Adams. Except Adams indicators a long-term deal earlier than July 15, he’ll make simply over $20 million in 2022.
Rodgers wished to keep away from a repeat of 2021, when his standing was unsure till the beginning of coaching camp after he skipped the Packers’ obligatory minicamp.
The questions on his future stemmed from Rodgers’ disagreements with staff administration on the time. Rodgers stated on a number of events over the previous couple of months that his relationship with staff officers had improved considerably.
Rodgers’ plans had been the topic of a lot hypothesis ever because the Packers traded up 4 spots to take Utah State quarterback Jordan Love with the twenty sixth general decide within the 2020 draft. After referring to his future as a “stunning thriller” late within the 2020 season, Rodgers skipped the Packers’ organized staff actions and obligatory minicamp in a standoff with staff administration.
Rodgers reported for coaching camp on time however acknowledged his future with the group was unsure. On the time, he stated he wished to have a voice within the staff’s decision-making course of.
Rodgers just lately has steadily provided compliments concerning the strikes basic supervisor Brian Gutekunst made to enhance the staff. These strikes included buying large receiver Randall Cobb at Rodgers’ request. Rodgers stated he obtained the sense there was higher communication this season and that “I really feel like my opinion mattered.”
“I feel he put collectively a very nice staff, a staff that would have gained a Tremendous Bowl, and he deserves a whole lot of credit score for a number of the strikes that he made,” Rodgers stated after a January playoff loss to San Francisco. “I’m disillusioned we couldn’t put it collectively for him and the group tonight, and I’m disillusioned it’s ending.”
Gutekunst agreed their relationship was in a great place.
“I really feel actually good about the place we sit proper now,” Gutekunst stated earlier than the NFL scouting mix.
Rodgers had a tumultuous 2021 season in quite a few respects, notably for feedback he made about his vaccination standing. When requested earlier than the season whether or not he had been vaccinated towards COVID-19, Rodgers replied, “Yeah, I’m immunized.” However after testing optimistic through the season, Rodgers acknowledged he was unvaccinated and stated he as a substitute had sought various remedies.
Rodgers additionally handled a fractured left pinky toe for a lot of the 12 months, however continued taking part in at an All-Professional degree. He threw 20 landing passes with no interceptions over his closing seven regular-season video games. He led the Packers to a 13-4 report and a 3rd straight NFC North championship.
However his season ended with a disappointing playoff efficiency. The Packers scored a landing on the sport’s opening sequence however by no means reached the top zone once more within the residence loss to the 49ers.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur, Gutekunst and president/CEO Mark Murphy stated after the season all of them wished Rodgers again in 2022.
“I feel we’ve obtained nearly as good a shot as anyone to win a Tremendous Bowl subsequent 12 months (with Rodgers),” Gutekunst stated. “He’s the MVP of the league. That’s our objective. I feel we now have a possibility to do it proper now.”
LaFleur made a transfer seemingly geared toward protecting Rodgers when he introduced again Tom Clements as quarterbacks coach. Rodgers had praised the 68-year-old Clements, who beforehand labored for the Packers from 2006-16 in roles that included quarterbacks coach (2006-11), offensive coordinator (2012-14) and affiliate head coach/offense (2015-16). Rodgers lauded Clements on a number of events during the last 12 months.
Rodgers’ return would reply one large query for the Packers as they head right into a vital offseason. They’re properly over the wage cap and have a number of key gamers with expiring contracts.
Gutekunst has stated he believes the Packers may hold Rodgers and Adams whereas constructing a contending staff round them. They usually have executed so.
“I feel clearly every thing round right here sort of facilities on the quarterback,” Gutekunst stated earlier than the mix. “It’s an enormous piece and a domino that sort of has to fall earlier than we go down the opposite avenues. So, it’s essential as we undergo this and the puzzle items we now have to attempt to make match. That’s the primary one to go.”
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Extra AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://apnews.com/hub/pro-32 and https://twitter.com/AP—NFL
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