Packers: 3 Aaron Rodgers replacements if retirement threat is real
By Mark Powell
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers suggested he could retire after the 2022 season. Per Rodgers, everything is on the table.
The likelihood of Rodgers retiring with a few years remaining on his contract and money left on the table seems…low, to say the least. No. 12 just set the Packers record for most franchise touchdown passes. Despite coming in after Brett Favre to some less-than-ideal tutorship, Rodgers has succeeded his predecessor in many categories.
He’s a future Hall of Famer, and there’s no doubt about that.
If anything, Rodgers leaving for greener pastures makes far more sense. Rodgers has a potential out in his contract for 2022, and he was connected with teams like the Denver Broncos as early as last offseason.
Nonetheless, if Rodgers does retire, or just leave, who would replace him?
Packers drafted Jordan Love to replace Aaron Rodgers
Love is the obvious choice and therefore has to be on this list.
The Utah State product was drafted by Brian Gutekunst two years ago, thus angering Rodgers in the first place. It’s a classic maneuver by general managers to avoid an awkward transition from an aging quarterback to a younger one. However, with Rodgers potentially responding to that challenge by winning back-to-back MVPs, it’s made the transition even awkward-er.
Love has gotten a few starts here and there, due to Rodgers being in COVID-19 protocol and suffering a toe injury. In those starts, he’s looked a little bewildered like a deer in headlights, but to be fair, can you blame him? Replacing a Hall of Famer isn’t easy, despite how flawless Rodgers made it look all those years ago.
Even if Love isn’t great, he’ll likely get the first shot at replacing Rodgers whenever he does go.