Aaron Rodgers on Packers decision to draft QB Jordan Love: 'I respect that'

GREEN BAY -- Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers spoke with media members via conference call Friday afternoon, May 15.

It is the first time Rodgers has spoken publicly since the team selected quarterback Jordan Love in the first round of April's NFL draft. The Packers weighed all scenarios and made some tough decisions trading up to draft Love.

The incumbent starting quarterback and two-time NFL MVP says he's got another decision he is putting in front of the decisionmakers.

"What I can control is how I play and making that decision, at some point, a very hard one. If I were to retire on the organization's timetable then it is an easy decision," he said. "If there comes a time where I feel that I can still play at a high level and my body feels great, then there are other guys that have gone on to play elsewhere. The goal is, obviously, to play into my forties. That hasn't changed.

"That is kind of what I have been talking about for the last few years. That remains the same but I know the key for that is my physical body. That is what I am focused on. That is my motivation, is to keep myself, physically, the opportunity to play as long as I want to play. That is going to be my continuing motivation."

The Packers' veteran spent a lot of time discussing his new teammate on Friday and how they are going to work together with the team. Of course, that's based on the assumption that there is football work together come September.

"Sports is always something that has brought people together. People are definitely looking for something to bring us together. I am very hopeful that we can have a season," Rodgers said. "I think the important thing to think about that is more important is the state of the country. The fact that we have 36-plus million people on unemployment right now. You have rising poverty levels to go along with the unemployment. You have suicide hotline is up 8,000 percent. There is a lot of problems around the country right now associated with this, the fear around this pandemic.

"I hope that we can use some common sense moving forward and make decisions that will be in the best interest of all people moving forward. And I hope that sports is a part of that at some point."

Rodgers said that he hasn't allowed his mind to go to the idea of playing in empty stadiums without fans. He said it would be weird, though, if it came to that.