Aaron Rodgers: 'There will be no news today; no decision on my future'
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 09: Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for the Green Bay Packers walks to the 10th tee during the 2022 Annexus Pro-Am, prior to the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on February 9, 2022 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Tracy Wilcox
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers cleared up speculation on the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, Feb. 22 by saying simply, "There will be no news today -- no decision on my future."
Rodgers indicated to McAfee that he just got back from a 12-day panchakarma – a cleanse which originated in India. Rodgers said that was something he has done in the off-season in the past.
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Rodgers said after the season that he would try to make a decision about his 2022 plans in relatively short order rather than dragging out the process. The four-time MVP said at the time that he hadn't ruled out any option, including returning to the Packers for an 18th season, retiring or requesting a trade.
Late Monday, Rodgers thanked current and former teammates and coaches in an Instagram message posted amid speculation about the reigning NFL MVP’s future.
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Rodgers also thanked Packers coach Matt LaFleur and reserve quarterbacks Jordan Love and Kurt Benkert as well as former Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and quarterback coach Luke Getsy.
"You guys made every day so much fun and I’m so thankful for the daily laughs and stress relief you brought me every week of the year," Rodgers said. "I love you guys."
Aaron Rodgers
After the season, Rodgers talked about making a decision by the time the free agency period begins next month. He continues to point out the importance of getting this done soon.
"I get it," Rodgers said on the show. "There's not a lot to talk about football-wise and this will be a topic of conversation. But I am looking forward to making a decision and moving forward. I think it's best for me. It's best for the team. It's best for all parties involved. Let's just get this behind us."
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The 38-year-old Rodgers did offer the Packers some reason for optimism.
He said he enjoyed the postseason conversations he had with team officials such as coach Matt LaFleur, general manager Brian Gutekunst and executive vice president/director of football operations Russ Ball.
"The meetings were much different than they were in the past, in a positive way," Rodgers said. "There were some real honest conversations that I appreciate."
He wants to avoid a repeat of 2021, when his status with the team was uncertain until the start of training camp.
Matt LaFleur coaches the Green Bay Packers against the Cleveland Browns at Lambeau Field on Christmas Day 2021
Rodgers reported for training camp on time last summer after skipping their mandatory minicamp, but he acknowledged his future with the organization was uncertain. At the time, he said he wanted more of a voice in the team’s decision-making process.
His relationship with Packers management improved over the course of the season. Rodgers said it started with a meeting he had with Gutekunst shortly after arriving for training camp.
"I feel like that was kind of the first step to having a real free-flowing conversation and friendship," Rodgers said. "I'm definitely thankful for the work that he put in on the relationship, and Russ Ball as well. Matt and I, I believe every year we get closer and more connected and feel better about our communication."
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Rodgers said he also had to make some adjustments.
"It wasn't a one-way street," Rodgers said. "I knew that I had to grow as well. I had to be more comfortable with those conversations, with being responsive to them in a super-timely manner, trying to find kindness in the adverse moments or difficult conversations we had. I feel like we all grew and had a good year of communication, had nice conversations after the season. I felt really good at how that got tied up before I left town."
LaFleur and president/CEO Mark Murphy had said after the season they wanted Rodgers back in 2022. They indicated that was a unanimous decision among the team’s main decision-makers.
The Packers seemed to make a move aimed at keeping Rodgers last week with the hiring of quarterbacks coach Tom Clements, who previously worked with the team from 2006-16. Rodgers said Tuesday that he owes Clements "so much credit for my development" and added that "the game is better when Tom Clements is coaching because he's one of those special, special coaches."
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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