Packers fans might be getting seven more years of Aaron Rodgers
By Cody Rivera
If Aaron Rodgers has his way, he’ll be the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers until he’s 40 years old.
For the past decade, fans of the Green Bay Packers have been fortunate enough to root for one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. That treat has come with numerous playoff appearances, including a Super Bowl victory in 2010.
Packers fans have fallen in love with the great Aaron Rodgers, 34, over the years, and if he has his way, they won’t be getting rid of him any time soon. Rodgers recently said in an interview with Peter King of NBC Sports that he wants to play until he’s 40.
“I just think that number means a lot,” Rodgers said. “Obviously, Tom (Brady) is kind of rewriting the book. Brett (Favre) had a good season when he turned 40. My goal is to be able to move like I do or close to how I do and still be able to do that at 40 … just because nobody’s been able to do that and still move around the same. Steve Young’s career was cut short in his late thirties. John (Elway), the same – he didn’t really move the same as when he was younger. So to be able to move the same way at 38, 39, 40 would be cool. That’s my aim.”
Favre, who was Rodgers’ predecessor in Green Bay, managed to keep playing well until age 40, but he didn’t get the opportunity to close the book in front of the fans that adored him for 16 seasons. In 2008, he was traded to the New York Jets in order to make room for the much younger Rodgers to take over as Green Bay’s starting quarterback.
Rodgers hopes to do what Favre was unable to do, and that is to finish his career with the Packers. But he understands the reality of the NFL: teams are always looking ahead to the future, and if his production slips at all, that future might not include him.
“How many guys get the way and the team how they go out? You know?” Rodgers said. “Hardly anybody. You have to understand that’s a real possibility. But yeah, my dream situation would be to stay in Green Bay.”
But, hopefully, Rodgers might not have to worry about that. He’s undeniably the most physically gifted quarterback in the NFL, and as long as he’s under center, the Packers will always be in contention for the Super Bowl. Even as Rodgers progresses into his late 30s, that’s not likely to change.
Next: Le'Veon Bell may sit out half the season without long-term deal
As long Rodgers can keep producing at an elite level, the Packers would be more than happy to keep him around.