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Aaron Rodgers Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

While Packers and Jets wait on Aaron Rodgers, the NFC North is getting better

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 3/14/23

It's Aaron Rodgers world and the Green Bay Packers—as well as the New York Jets, for that matter—are simply living in it.

Rodgers said at the end of the 2022 season that he wouldn't hold the Packers "hostage," and sure, Monday wasn't the official start of NFL free agency, it was simply the beginning of the legal "tampering" period. With that said, multiple deals were struck throughout the NFL, and on Wednesday when the new league year begins, several teams will be getting better—including two teams in the NFC North.

It was announced that the Detroit Lions and free agent cornerback Cameron Sutton, formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers, came to an agreement worth $33 million over three years. Sutton is entering the prime of his career after six seasons marinating on a good Steelers defense. He's coming off a season that saw him snag three interceptions and 15 passes defended, and could very well end up being a big-time player for an all-of-a-sudden dangerous Detroit team.

Meanwhile, across Lake Michigan, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles has been busy.

He already flipped Chicago's No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft for a draft haul that included star wide receiver D.J. Moore from the Carolina Panthers. Sure, he gave up the top overall pick to the quarterback-hungry Panthers, but he got Justin Fields a legit No. 1 wide receiver, while still snagging the ninth-overall and 61st picks in the draft, a first-round pick in 2024, and a second-round pick in 2025.

That's the type of trade haul that will get people talking, but then Poles followed that up with contracts to linebackers Tremaine Edmonds (Buffalo Bills) and T.J. Edwards (Philadelphia Eagles), as well as guard Nate Davis (Tennessee Titans). Those are three day-one starters, and Edmonds could be a real game-changer for the Bears.

ryan poles cooking like he got a michelin-star ‍ pic.twitter.com/PoYarU1iZx
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) March 13, 2023

Poles is rebuilding Chicago before our very eyes, and in the meantime, the Packers are stuck in the mud waiting on their 39-year-old quarterback. Yes, Rodgers is a four-time MVP 39-year-old quarterback, but he doesn't have that much longer of an NFL future regardless of what he decides to do.

Speaking of the future, the Packers are all but hamstrung regarding their future, waiting for Rodgers to come to a decision that has basically come down to accepting a trade to the Jets or retiring. The Packers have all but made it clear that they're ready to move on to Jordan Love, and Rodgers is not going to be coming back to sit on the bench.

And yes, Green Bay still re-signed All-Pro kick returner Keisean Nixon, which was an enormous priority, but the Packers still have massive needs at tight end, safety, and wide receiver this offseason. Even a team with Rodgers at quarterback would have those big holes to fill, so whether he wants to stay or go doesn't matter. By dragging his feet, Rodgers is undoubtedly hurting the team he's been with for 18 seasons.

Meanwhile, the NFC North continues to get better.

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