Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers could be on the brink of a final divorce. If that does indeed happen, it will end to what has been a beautiful marriage between the superstar quarterback and the team.
Granted, the marriage came with its fair share of drama. Over the last few years, Rodgers’ future with the Packers has been murky at best. However, he has led the team to many amazing seasons and has become one of the best to ever play the game in Green Bay.
It’s a sad and maybe even scary thought for fans to think about, but also an exciting one. Moving forward into a new era of football with Jordan Love leading the way is a breath of fresh air. It’s bittersweet because of the impact Rodgers has had on the community and how exciting he has been to watch on the field.
If Rodgers really has played his last game in a Packers uniform, here's how the move would actually impact the Packers’ plans both now and for the foreseeable future.
Three ways moving on from Rodgers impacts the Packers
There are three big ways that moving on from Rodgers will impact Green Bay. Some are great for the franchise and others make things very scary.
3. It resets the timeline and takes off pressure
For years now, the Packers have always been viewed as a top-notch contender in the NFC. Even without Davante Adams coming into this season, everyone viewed them as the team to beat in the NFC North. Obviously, that did not end up being the case and Green Bay ended up missing the playoffs.
Moving on from Rodgers completely resets the timeline. They are no longer going to be viewed as a Super Bowl contender, nor should they be. It will take a couple of years to get back to that point, assuming Love lives up to the hype.
Green Bay will be able to re-focus on the future and building the next contender. They will not have to force contention now, which will be very good in the grand scheme of things.
2. A breath of fresh air
Aaron Rodgers is 39 years old and the end of his career is near. Whether he is traded or retires, the writing has been on the wall. That isn’t saying that he has played poorly by any stretch, but the Packers have known for quite some time that they needed to plan past Rodgers.
When they drafted Love, the Packers were planning for this exact situation. Rodgers has seriously contemplated retirement, but even if he is traded, Green Bay is ready. No longer will fans need to worry if the team is gearing up for “one last dance,” and instead the focus can get back to building a team that can grow together and contend year in and year out.
1. Financial flexibility on the horizon
Brian Gutekunst and company have been stretched very thin by keeping Rodgers in town. The Packers would finally see their cap situation turn around next offseason. Rodgers has been worth every penny that Green Bay has paid him, but the team as a whole is in a horrible cap situation.
Having to find ways to keep veteran players on big contracts and penny pinch to sign a free agent that might make an impact has been tough. Moving on from Rodgers gives the Packers a chance to reset their finances.
Sure, Love is going to need a new contract. That new contract won’t come close to what the Packers are currently paying Rodgers. Being able to have some freedom from a financial perspective will be something welcomed with open arms.
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