Aaron Rodgers plans to play for Green Bay Packers this season

WHAT’S BEING CLAIMED:

• Quarterback Aaron Rodgers might be playing with the Green Bay Packers for this year, after all.
• Rodgers reportedly has “indicated” to others that he plans on playing for the Packers this season.
• However, Rodgers might be playing for a different team in 2022 and beyond.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is close to an agreement with the Green Bay Packers on a reworked contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports’ Mike Jones, seemingly bringing at least a temporary end to the months-long stalemate between the reigning NFL MVP and the franchise he has been with for 16 seasons. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been finalized.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report the development.

Under terms of the agreement, according to ESPN, the final year of Rodgers’ existing contract would be voided, leaving only two remaining. Green Bay would not be allowed to place the franchise or transition tag on Rodgers, and the team would agree to review the contract at the end of the season, per ESPN.

Neither team president Mark Murphy nor general manager Brian Gutekunst would address earlier reports Monday that Rodgers was poised to return for this season when asked following the Packers’ shareholders meeting at Lambeau Field.

“We have been working tirelessly with Aaron and his representatives,” Gutekunst said Monday. “We’re hopeful for a positive resolution.”

Murphy added that the Packers are committed to Rodgers beyond the 2021 season. Murphy also said he was unsure whether the quarterback would participate in training camp this week. Veterans are due to report Tuesday.

Should Rodgers opt not to attend any portion of training camp, he would incur a $50,000 fine for each day he misses. 

Rodgers, 37, skipped the team’s entire offseason workout program, including mandatory minicamp, for the first time in his career amid reports of his discontent with the Packers’ front office. Though he seldom addressed the matter during the late spring and early summer, Rodgers indicated in a “SportsCenter” interview with Kenny Mayne that his objections were more rooted in personal matters than financial ones.

Source: USA Today