After playing in a charity flag football tournament in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Saturday, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he’ll be making a decision on his football future soon.
“Well, I think it won’t be long. There’s a time limit for all this,” Rodgers told former NFL receiver Brandon Marshall.
Marshall, whose 13-year NFL career included the 2015 and 2016 seasons with the New York Jets, asked Rodgers about Tuesday’s meeting with Jets owner Woody Johnson.
“It’s always interesting meeting important figures in the sport. Yeah, it’s always interesting,” Rodgers said.
The two engaged in a humorous stare-down, with Marshall hoping to get more information and Rodgers smiling in silence.
“That’s all I’m giving you,” Rodgers said. “Stay tuned.”
Marshall asked Rodgers if he could break the news because he’s an “all-time Jet.”
“You’re an all-time Jet?” Rodgers questioned. “I think of you as a Bear.”
Marshall said you can be an all-time player for multiple teams.
“Not if you only play one year,” Rodgers said.
It’s unclear if Rodgers thought Marshall played only one season for the Jets or if he was speaking of himself planning to play only one season in New York.
“Organizations have history and it’s about the people who made those organizations,” Rodgers said.
In reality, Rodgers didn’t say anything that he hasn’t said before. Free agency, unofficially, begins on Monday. At 3 p.m. (Central) on Wednesday, teams must be in compliance with the salary cap and free agents can officially sign their contracts.
So, Rodgers has to let everyone know by Monday so the Packers and Jets – or some unknown suitor – can begin the process of forming the rest of their rosters.
That’s the expectation of Packers President Mark Murphy.
“We’re really hopeful that we can reach a resolution that works for Aaron and for us,” Murphy said on Friday at the WIAA state girls basketball tournament, which is played across the street from Lambeau Field at the Resch Center.
“It’s in everyone’s interests” for the saga to come to an end soon, he added.
Murphy was hopeful that a trade would be made.
“He’s obviously a great player and four-time MVP,” Murphy said. “But I think it’s trying to find what he wants and what we want and hopefully we can find a win-win situation.
“I think things have been very professional. We’re very appreciative of what Aaron’s meant to the team and the organization and we want to be respectful and also help him achieve what he wants.”
Rodgers’ team did not win the championship.
“Sometimes your best isn’t good enough,” Rodgers said. “That doesn’t mean it’s failure.”
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