Report: Aaron Rodgers may consider retirement
The situation between the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers has dominated headlines during the NFL Draft and it appears it's only getting worse heading into Day 2.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Rodgers is considering retirement if the situation in Green Bay is not fixed "to his liking."
Reports surfaced on Thursday afternoon that Rodgers does not want to return to the Packers in 2021. While the two sides have negotiated a contract extension, those talks have not gone well.
But the situation has also revolved around the Packers not getting the resources Rodgers needs to be successful.
The Packers drafted quarterback Jordan Love in the first round of last year's draft and took Georgia cornerback Eric Stokes with the 29th overall pick on Thursday night.
After the selection of Stokes, Packers general manager Brian Gutenkunst told reporters that they are not planning on trading Rodgers.
The situation could resemble what happened between Carson Palmer and the Cincinnati Bengals in 2009. After Palmer's request to be traded was denied, he briefly retired before being dealt to the Oakland Raiders. David Dunn was Palmer's agent during that situation and currently represents Rodgers.
It could also resemble the Packers' divorce with Brett Favre. Favre was traded to the New York Jets in August 2008 and retired shortly after the season. Favre came out of retirement several months later and joined the Vikings in 2009.
It's possible Rodgers could sit out a year and play for any team he chooses in 2022 but would owe the Packers $11.5 million from his signing bonus in 2021 and 2022 to do so.
The Packers would also need to address their own salary cap situation as ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Packers would take a major hit if they traded Rodgers.
That hit significantly decreases after June 1 and could mean it will be a while before this situation is involved. Until it is, the rest of the NFC North will have their popcorn ready.
