Packers may wait until June to officially trade Aaron Rodgers?

The most fascinating story of the 2021 NFL Draft Thursday had little to do with top-tier prospects officially becoming pro rookies and instead featured Green Bay Packers quarterback and reigning Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers, who allegedly wants out of Green Bay and may already have two teams in mind but also is reportedly not going anywhere anytime soon. 

It turns out patience may be a virtue for all involved. 

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio explains that the Packers would endure about $38.35 million in dead money if they traded the 37-year-old signal-caller before June 1. By waiting until after June 1, however, Green Bay would suffer a salary-cap charge of $14.352 million for 2021 and $17.198 million for 2022. 

That's significant because the cap is down roughly $16 million from the previous season due to financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic but is expected to go up next year. 

In short, would-be suitors such as the Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders and maybe even the San Francisco 49ers will remain in play for Rodgers through and past the draft until they publicly say otherwise or Rodgers and the Packers come to terms on a contract extension.