Aaron Rodgers timeline will only prolong the story

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has said he “will figure things out in a few weeks.” While this is a refreshing twist from buzzwords like “beautiful mystery” and no-answers like “we’ll see,” the timeline doesn’t make sense.

In a few weeks, he has to report to training camp. So, will he work out the day before the start of a five-month engagement? How will he not know – how will he not already know – what he intends to do? He had six months to “understand” his future playing career. At this point, he shouldn’t need another two weeks.

There’s a chance, of course, that he figured it out a long time ago, and Sunday’s commentary represents the final step in the effort to make the story last. Which continues to put pressure on the Green Bay front office. Which continues to keep fans caught in the crossfire.

If you see the video of Rodgers’ comments, it’s obvious that he’s enjoying the game. It further suggests that he knows exactly what he’s going to do. So why can’t he, why can’t he just make his plans known? The fact that he won’t do that reinforces the idea that his plan is more akin to a strategy to end up getting what he wants: a one-way ticket to Green Bay.

Don’t be surprised if he doesn’t make any general announcements by July 27, the camp’s closing date. Don’t be surprised if he doesn’t show up to camp one day after another until he does (or doesn’t). The nonchalance with which he skipped the obligatory minicamp could be repeated with the training camp. He just won’t show up, without a statement or fanfare or whatever.

At one point I assumed he would show up at camp and berate those of us who made a big deal out of it. I wonder now if he’s going to keep acting like none of this is serious, if he’ll be there when he gets there, and if he’s not there, he’s not there. He’s a lot more calculating than that, and it feels like he’s intentionally presenting himself as someone who has no intention at all, and has no intention of developing any.

Whatever happens next, Packers shareholders meet in two weeks. The next day, the players report. Rodgers’ story will last at least until then, and probably longer. Probably much longer. Probably in part because deep down he likes it.