Aaron Rodgers says his future is uncertain, ‘a lot of unknowns’ after Packers’ NFC championship loss

Aaron Rodgers has now earned a victory guiding the Green Bay Packers to the Super Bowl in two consecutive seasons, but judging by his comments after Sunday night’s NFC Championship loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there is no way – not even a chance for a third. direct appearance in the title game, at least in Green Bay. Speak to journalists following the Packers ’31-26 loss, Rodgers said his future was “uncertain” and spoke repeatedly of the “finality” of this particular loss, indirectly hinting that he may or may not be under the Packers’ center in 2021.

“I don’t know,” Rodgers said when asked where he was going from here. “I really don’t know. There are a lot of unknowns in this offseason now. I’m going to have to take some time, sure, and just clear my head and just see what happens with everything. pretty tough right now, especially thinking about the guys who might or might not be here next year. That makes the end of it all, you hit like a ton of bricks. “

Most of Rodgers’ comments on the roster roll centered on his colleagues, such as impending free agent Aaron Jones. But the quarterback has made it his business to include himself in speculation about a new team in 2021 and beyond.

“The future for a lot of guys … is uncertain, including me,” he said. “That’s what’s sad about it, going this far … The uncertainties are tough, the end of it all.”

Packers coach Matt LaFleur, for what it’s worth, firmly backed Rodgers, the 2020 NFL MVP, after the game. But even his words left room for a potential change under center: “I really hope so,” he said, when asked if Rodgers would be back. “I mean, the guy is the MVP of this league. He’s the heart and soul of our football team. So, damn yeah. He better come back here. He’s our leader.”

Rodgers is under contract with Green Bay until 2023. But the Packers aren’t necessarily linked to the QB beyond this season. They can save around $ 5.5 million by trading the 37-year-old flagman this offseason, and Rodgers himself said ahead of the 2020 campaign that he plans to end his career elsewhere.