Immediately after the unexpected bankruptcy of the playoffs, the debate about a possible farewell to quarterback star Aaron Rodgers started on US channels and on social networks.
A touch of farewell at Lambeau Field
The pictures from the Lambeau Field provided the framework. The 38-year-old football professional walked slowly off the field in the snow with double-digit minus temperatures, looked several times at the spectators in the legendary stadium and said goodbye with a rocker greeting before disappearing into the tunnel. The fact that he actually did this for the last time in a jersey of the traditional Wisconsin team after 17 years is not as unlikely as it first sounds.
Rodgers: “I’ll take my time”
“I’m going to take my time and have conversations with the people here, then take my time and step back and make a decision before the FreeAgency begins“, Rodgers announced when he gave his last press conference with the Packers for the time being with a black cap on his head. His key message: “I don’t want to be part of a rebuild if I keep playing.” Translated that means: If I don’t see a chance for the title again next season, that’s it. From the point of view of Packers coach Matt LaFleur, the matter is clear: “We certainly want him back here, we’d be crazy if we didn’t.“
Many important players’ contracts are expiring, and management’s room for maneuver is limited by the salary cap in the NFL. at starreceivers Davante Adams The Packers can theoretically take an option, but it’s not so easy with other professionals. Also the future of Equanimeous St. Brown at the Packers is open, the contract of the German-American ends after four years as well.
Rodgers successor: relationship with Packers disrupted
“There will be many decisions to be made, many players whose future is unclear. It will be interesting to see where some of these decisions go‘ Rodgers said.
Also relevant to all of this is that the relationship between the Packers and Rodgers has been troubled for a long time. Since the Packers first drafted the young quarterback in the 2020 draft Jordan Love decidedly in place of a possible valuable helper for Rodgers in attack, there are atmospheric disturbances. They went so far that Rodgers left it open for weeks before this season to even play for the team again. And that’s after he was named the NFL’s most valuable player for the third time just the previous season.
Rodgers and the vaccine debate
And then there is the matter of the corona vaccination, which Rodgers is one of the very few NFL professionals to refuse. When it became clear in the fall that he had not been vaccinated against the virus, there was a lot of public criticism in the United States, and many people felt Rodgers had lied to them. Because in August he had answered a reporter’s question about his vaccination status: “Yes, I’m immunized.” Because of his infection with the virus, he missed a main round game. This has done serious damage to Rodger’s popularity.
After only one in Rodgers’ 17 years with the Packers super bowlhad given victory, the favorite now experienced the next, disappointing premature end.
Like now against the 49ers again after a game in which the Packers had led 10:3 five minutes before the end. It may have been Rodgers’ last with the Packers. Or even in the NFL.
dpa/sid
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Status: 01/23/2022, 08:30