Aaron Rodgers May Have Stamped a Star Packers Teammate’s Inevitable Departure
The Green Bay Packers finally have star quarterback Aaron Rodgers back in the fold. However, it’s arrived through concerning circumstances that leave his future in Green Bay beyond the 2021 season on uncertain terms. Rodgers’ situation may have also cemented the inevitable departure of another Packers star talent.
Aaron Rodgers returns to the Packers
After months of tension-filled drama, Green Bay finally has its star quarterback back.
The front office is working out a restructured contract, allowing Rodgers more control over his NFL future. ESPN‘s Adam Schefter is reporting the two sides are finalizing the details that include voiding the 2023 year in his contract, agreeing to review the situation at the end of the 2021 season and mechanisms to address the star quarterback’s issues with the team.
In other words, Rodgers will be in control of his future moving forward. The 37-year-old wanted to dictate how his NFL future will unfold, and the restructured contract presents those specific parameters.
However, the troubling situation may have also worked toward creating the pathway for one of Rodgers’ longtime teammate’s imminent departure.
Aaron Rodgers may have stamped a star Packers teammate’s inevitable departure
Although Rodgers is returning to the Packers, it’s shaken the foundation of the franchise.
The lingering issues created an unstable relationship where the three-time league MVP now holds control of his NFL future beyond the 2021 season. It opens the door for the future Hall of Famer to play elsewhere if he so chooses.
Rodgers’ fractured standing with management has also tremendously impacted star wideout Davante Adams. The four-time Pro Bowler is in the final year of his four-year, $58 million deal, making an extension critical toward stabilizing the Packers’ future.
Amid the recent drama, the 28-year-old chose to break off contract talks. However, Rodgers’ return does open the door to re-engaging in those discussions. The opportunity may be there, but it’s hard to envision Adams electing to pursue an extension with his quarterback’s future after 2021 remaining uncertain.
It also doesn’t appear promising after Adams recently publicly voiced that playing with his former college teammate Derek Carr would be a “dream.”
“I love Derek to death,” Adams said via CBS Sports. “We’ve got a great friendship and we still communicate really, really consistently. He’s one of my best friends. Obviously, it would be a dream to be able to play with him, but I’m a Packer now. Until that point when we make that decision, I guess we just got to, we’ll see what happens.”
Plenty can change in the coming months, but, realistically, the Packers could say goodbye to their best two players next offseason.
Green Bay is heading into an all-or-nothing 2021 season
Rodgers‘ return quickly shifts the attention over to the Packers’ long-term future while also placing significant importance toward the 2021 season.
As much as Green Bay will deny it, this upcoming campaign is a make-or-break year that will dramatically shape the team for years to come. Regardless of Rodgers’ performance, if he feels he’s better served continuing his career elsewhere, he can now make that happen.
Meanwhile, if Adams elects to play next season without an extension, it leaves the door open to him departing alongside the star quarterback. Along with several other teams, the Raiders will line up next offseason to acquire his services.
The pressure is entirely on the Packers to make Rodgers feel like he’s the long-term future through its actions. If not, much change will soon be on the horizon.
Contract figures courtesy of Spotrac.
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