Aaron Rodgers, Packers on the verge of a comeback deal that could pave the way for a departure in 2022

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The Green Bay Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers are close to concluding an agreement on a reworked deal that would keep the quarterback at Green Bay for the 2021 season, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL. CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora confirmed the report. Rodgers is expected to go camping once the deal is finalized.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds that the deal will invalidate Rodgers’ current 2023 season and the franchise tag may not be used in the coming years. Green Bay also agrees to review his status after the upcoming campaign, which could lead to his expected departure. CBS Sports’ Joel Corey notes that by canceling the 2023 season, Green Bay is committed to bartering or re-dealing with him. Otherwise, the NFC franchise would allow him to walk free agency for a third-round compensatory selection. The agreement also allows the Packers to mend some fences with the veteran over the next year and certainly assess the 2020 first round to pick Jordan Love for longer.

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Rapoport first reported the news that Rodgers could return soon on Monday, right after Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst made his public commitment to QB, noting that Rodgers had told people close to him that he intended to play for the Packers this year. CBS Sports NFL Insider’s Jonathan Jones reported Monday that Rodgers is likely to report to the Packers training camp this week, although perhaps not on opening day, and he is expected to play for the team in 2021.

Jones also confirmed an earlier report from Trey Wingo claiming that Rodgers asked the team to bring back wide receiver Randall Cobb, who is currently operated by the Texans. The Houston Trade for Broad Future Anthony Miller may be the ultimate precursor to the Cobb trade.

“The ice may melt,” NFL Network’s Mike Garavolo added. “The firmness officers had an upbeat tone today (at the shareholder meeting) and there is reason to believe them.”

This represents a major change of heart for Rodgers, who has avoided making any public commitments to the Packers for 2021 or beyond (despite being under contract during the 2023 season). La Canfora reported in June that Rodgers and those close to him had told Packers president Mark Murphy, as well as other team executives, that QB had finished wearing green and yellow. La Canfora noted at the time, however, that Rodgers had yet to make a final decision on his status for the 2021 season, instead being content with watching the Packers “confuse” as he exited the mandatory junior camp.

“We have worked tirelessly with Aaron and his representatives to resolve the issues he raised in the off-season, and we continue to hope for a positive resolution,” Gutkunst said Monday at the Packers annual shareholder meeting.

“We want him back,” Murphy added of Rodgers. “We are committed to him for 2021 and beyond. We are looking forward to winning another Super Bowl with him.”

Rodgers has never explicitly called for a trade from the Packers, or even a new contract, and reportedly recently refused a two-year extension that would have tied him to Green Bay for five more seasons. He hinted that the Packers’ future was uncertain, however, after the team lost for the second time in a row in the NFC Championship in January, and then indicated in his media appearances that he had a “philosophical” difference with the Green Bay front office.

CBS Sports’ Chris Towers looked at today’s news from a fictional perspective:

What does this mean for the imagination? Well, the gang is back together, for 2021 at least! Adams is closed as Fantasy’s #1 WR now that the Rodgers are back in the fold, and Aaron Jones belongs in the top ten among all RBs – and you can make a good case that he deserves to be even higher. He’s a perfectly viable pick in the first round after scoring 30 touchdowns over the past two seasons averaging 1,094 fast yards and 48 catches in that period.

The reigning MVP returns for his 17th NFL season well prepared for a potential Super Bowl tour. Rodgers opened the 11th season of his career ever in the league, passing a leaderboard yards, just 230 yards past John Elway. Green Bay opens season 12 September on the road against the Drew Brees-less Saints.

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