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Aaron Rodgers figures to be one of the biggest stories of the 2023 NFL offseason, as he was last year. He recently claimed that all options are on the table for him, including returning to the Green Bay Packers, potentially changing teams, and even the possibility of retirement. This is the second year in a row this has happened.
Last year, Rodgers decided to return to the Packers after signing a record-setting contract worth more than $150 million across three seasons. The deal carries the largest AAV of any athlete in American sports history. While it seems like the contract will keep Rodgers committed to the Packers for the next few years, apparently he's already unsatisfied again.
Stephen A. Smith recently appeared on an episode of First Take to express his disgust about the situation. He said:
"I'm disgusted with Aaron Rodgers. I take no pleasure in saying this, because everybody knows what a big fan I am of Aaron Rodgers, but this is utterly ridiculous. You signed a three-year, $150 million extension. Now, you say the expectation was a Super Bowl. I'll go one further. The expectation was at least that you were going to remain a Green Bay Packer."
Smith continued:
"I mean damn, you're taking Brett Favre’s tedious tendencies to another level. I mean, this is ridiculous. And where did that get Brett Favre? One Super Bowl in his career."
Aaron Rodgers will probably always be compared to Brett Favre because of the parallels between their careers. Rodgers immediately succeeded Favre as the starting quarterback for the Packers and each has put together a legendary career. Stephen A. Smith pointed out that their off-the-field antics and entitlement with the franchise are becoming eerily similar as well.
Is Aaron Rodgers treating the Green Bay Packers the same way Brett Favre did late in his NFL career?
Brett Favre notoriously contemplated retirement for several years toward the end of his career with the Green Bay Packers. During his last few offseasons with the team, he claimed he was unsure whether or not to retire. This is part of the reason why the Packers drafted Aaron Rodgers in the first place. They needed to prepare for the future without Favre.
Prior to the start of the 2008 NFL season, Favre once again claimed that he would likely be retiring. The Packers proceeded to name Rodgers their starting quarterback. Shortly after, Brett Favre announced that he would return for another year. The Packers informed him that they would be moving on and sticking with Rodgers instead.
The entitled Favre was extremely insulted by their decision, but the Packers felt it was time to move forward and stabilize their quarterback position. Favre would go on to play for the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings before officially retiring for good.
If Aaron Rodgers continues to be indecisive about his future, it's possible the Packers will eventually move on from him as well. Jordan Love is currently waiting for his opportunity to be a starter.
If any of the above quotes are used, please credit First Take and H/T Sportskeeda
