What the Packers should do with Rodgers?

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a bruised intercostal area and was unable to continue in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

He was replaced by Jordan Love, and although they were limited snaps, he was decisive in the pocket and looked good.

The Packers have had a disappointing season, their playoff chances look bleak, so the question immediately burst onto the scene: should Rodgers come back to play again this year?

Personally, I don’t think this situation is as complicated as many think.

The initial premise is simple: as long as the Packers have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the postseason, Rodgers should be the starter.

You just gave him a three-season, $150 million extension, with $101 million guaranteed. Rodgers is the reigning two-time league MVP, and he didn’t suddenly forget to play.

In other words, Rodgers is the starter and there is no debate there. Now, the question is how healthy Rodgers is, considering he’s been playing with a fractured thumb and has already thrown nine interceptions, more than any season since 2010.

As if that wasn’t enough, he takes that hit to his ribs, and was having trouble breathing and turning his body. But after the game Rodgers was adamant: “If I’m healthy, I want to play.

It’s a sign of commitment to the team in a tumultuous year, but it’s also a sign of respect for Love. Rodgers remembers well when Brett Favre was injured playing against the Cowboys. Dallas was winning that game by 17 points, and Rodgers replaced him and almost immediately cut that deficit to seven points.

Rodgers’ talent was evident, and the following offseason, the Packers traded Favre. Rodgers knows, he himself has said publicly, that Love’s development has been tremendous compared to a year ago.

Those flashes were seen against the Eagles when Love connected with Christian Watson for a touchdown, and Rodgers doesn’t want to open the door for him.

However, the Packers, more than any other team, are beholden to the franchise and not to one player. And I say they more than other outfits, because unlike the other teams, they don’t have a sole owner.

Today Green Bay is three games behind the Washington Commanders, who are currently the last wild card in the NFC. Logic tells us that soon, judging by the level of play they have shown, the Packers will be out of contention.
And when that happens, Jordan Love should play. I understand that the Packers don’t want to hurt feelings, as they did just that when they picked Love in the first round of the draft. The dust has settled between the Packers and Rodgers, and you’ve already made a financial investment that speaks volumes about the franchise’s valuation of its quarterback.

Rodgers is a sensitive man, and so we must wait. When the Packers are officially eliminated, there will be no reason to risk an unhealthy Rodgers. And the conversation with him, at that point, will be much simpler.

But the Packers have to understand that giving Love some shooting is imperative. It would be irresponsible to have invested a first-round pick, and not yet know what you have in Love.

At the very least, you use him as window dressing to then potentially trade him. And maybe he surprises you and shows you that he can be the future of your franchise. I understand that some think his time has passed, but we knew he was green when he came out of Utah State, and he was going to need time. However, he never lacked talent.

Rodgers has flirted with retirement in the past, but I doubt he would leave that much money on the table. The contract Rodgers currently has, ties him to the Packers potentially until he is 43 years old.

However, the Packers could technically opt out of it after the 2023 season; it’s worth noting that they would have a dead money impact of over $24 million on the salary cap if they decide to cut him.

Bottom line, Rodgers should play until the Packers are officially eliminated, and then it should be Love’s time. At the very least you’ll know whether or not to make use of the fifth-year option for Love in 2024.

And that’s where the tough decisions will come for the Packers. Lest history repeat itself again in Green Bay.