My best wishes to you. So little time, so many questions. Serenity now.
I received many of these submissions on Wednesday; some serious, some joking. But this is a business, folks. Difficult decisions are made every day throughout the league. Time is running out.
Mike from Toronto, Canada
If you could distill Aaron Rodgers’ performance on Pat McAfee’s show down to two or three main points related to the upcoming season, what would they be?
The future is fast approaching. Rodgers’ performance largely confirmed much of what we’ve been hearing over the past week. Indeed, he plans to play a 19th NFL season and would like to do so in New York. The Packers and Jets must figure out the offset piece, but everyone seems to be on the same wavelength. I also agree with Rodgers that Jordan Love looked great last season and is ready to take the next step in the NFL. I can understand and appreciate what the headlines will be in the coming days, but my biggest takeaway was the gratitude Rodgers expressed for his 18 years in Green Bay, and I know this fan base feels the same way. It has been a great collaboration. There are clearly still details to work out. We’ll see what comes next.
I stood in my kitchen watching the Detroit game while texting a friend and just saying “Believe” over and over, as hopeless as it seemed. What an exciting feeling. Aaron brought us hope no matter how much time was left. The list of Hail Marys and the emotions associated with them is just a short list of the many memories I will never forget. I knew this day would come but still struggle with how heavy the emotions are. Thank you, Aaron, for all you have done from the bottom of my heart
Thank you for sharing these wonderful thoughts and reflections. I know I spent part of my Wednesday afternoon reflecting on how lucky I was to see one of the greatest QBs ever. We’ll have more time to meditate on Rodgers’ incredible run at some point. For now, I keep going back to Rodgers’ comments about how his life is better for the time he spent here. Well, that feeling is mutual. Rodgers became a starting QB in 2008 under almost impossible circumstances and wrote so many incredible chapters in the rich history of this franchise. If this is it, this hallowed ground is better to have Aaron Rodgers as quarterback for the past 15 years.
John from Evansville, IN
Howdy II, I understand the idea that people should temper expectations for what GB would get in a trade as this player is almost 40 years old and has had his worst season in a while. At worst, they’re probably at least in the playoff hunt, but at best, they’d be a contender with an MVP-caliber player leading the way. Wouldn’t that be sufficiently reflected in trade negotiations to get optimal value?
Sure, but I’m not going down that rabbit hole. Listen, this party started well before our arrival on Wednesday afternoon. The Packers, Jets and Rodgers are the only ones who know the details and will play the board accordingly. Everyone out here will get those answers soon enough.
Benjamin from Minneapolis, MN
What are realistic expectations for Jordan Love in the coming years. Obviously it’s very early to make predictions, but I’m just wondering what reasonable expectations are. I’m personally pretty good at what we’ve seen from Love and think he could be a franchise quarterback, but I was wondering if you all had a different insight?
We will all have to remember what 1992 and 2008 were like. There will be moments of brilliance and times of adversity, but this is how the game is played. Love checked every box in his development for the chance to become a rookie NFL QB. He’s been in the system for three years and has been the No. 1 offensive line during the offseason program for the past two years. His time is near and patience will be needed.
Peter from New London, Wisconsin
Good morning, West. I hope you can help. It seems everyone is caught up in the present: free agency, QB decisions, and who will be the next draft pick. I wonder how and if the Packers can beat last year’s record? Isn’t it what maneuvering is all about? With the moves of the Bears and Lions, the division looks tougher. So, tell me, can the Packers win more games than they did last year and what gives you that optimism?
The division will be more difficult, but I am convinced that they can still improve from last season. The Packers are losing some key contributors to free agency, but I still like the mix of playmakers and young talent on this roster. Rodgers, himself, touched that Wednesday. The offense has playmakers, the defense had big moments and special teams have been reborn under Rich Bisaccia. The pieces are still there, no matter who’s under the centerpiece next year.
Shouldn’t Aaron Rodgers play another handful of seasons for a shot at winning against all 32 NFL teams?
While the Packers won’t play the Jets again until 2026, the addition of the 17 regular season game means Green Bay will play a cross-conference game in 2024 against whichever AFC East opponent finishes in the same division as the Packers in 2023. .
While I embraced and was thrilled about Aaron Rodgers’ transition, the hardest part about accepting the change was how close the team was to making the Super Bowl. Regardless of how ready Aaron was, it was easy to assume that the team would take a step back in short order without Brett Favre. How much of the willingness of both fans and the Packers to move on and see what Love is capable of is down to last season’s disappointing result?
This whole situation is an exercise in cost-benefit analysis and determining the best step forward for everyone. It’s the sum of Rodgers contemplating his future, Love’s consistent development, and the Packers coming off an 8-9 season that no one expected. Rodgers also has a collection of guys he enjoys playing with, who are usually all free players this offseason – one of whom has already signed with the New York Jets. Green Bay is at a crossroads, figuring out which way to turn.