Aaron Rodgers not ready to make a decision about future with Packers

All indications are that the Green Bay Packers want four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers to come back for his 19th NFL season. Whether Rodgers wants to return is another question altogether.

The 39-year-old has played a ton of football over the years, after all, and not every quarterback can play until 45 like Tom Brady. Rodgers took quite a physical beat down this past season with a nagging fracture on his right thumb as well as other ailments — including a nasty rib injury.

In that light, it wasn't surprising to hear the future Hall of Famer tell his buddy Pat McAfee that he needs a bit of TLC — tender loving care — before he can make a decision about potential retirement.

"They're not pressing for any type of specific answer, and I'm not mentally or emotionally at that point to give one," Rodgers said (h/t ESPN). "If I'm asked about it, I'll respond in honesty. But this is not going to be something where I'm going to respond to a bunch of inquiries about, 'What are you thinking this week?' or 'What are you thinking next week?' It's get away from it mentally and emotionally, and then physically as your body starts to come back after a few weeks of TLC, then I think you're in a better frame of mind to contemplate your future."

Rodgers was banged up this season, but as he mentioned, there's the emotional aspect to consider as well. He won back-to-back MVP awards in 2020 and 2021 and seemed to be poised for another stellar run this season, but the 2022-23 season was arguably the worst of his career. He had an average QBR of just 39.3 after completing only 64.6% of his passes for 3,695 yards and 26 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. Those 12 interceptions were the most he's thrown since his first season as an NFL starter when he tossed 13. For comparison's sake, Rodgers threw just two interceptions in all of 2018, and he racked up a combined nine in his past two MVP seasons.

Something wasn't right this season for Rodgers. Whether that means it's time to hang 'em up is his call only, but it does sound like he needs some time away from the game before he can even get to the point of making a decision.