GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers says he’s nonetheless making up his thoughts about whether or not he needs to return to the Inexperienced Bay Packers subsequent season.
“There can be no information as we speak,” the four-time MVP quarterback mentioned Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Present” on YouTube and SiriusXM. “No determination on my future.”
Rodgers mentioned after the season that he would attempt to decide about his 2022 plans in comparatively quick order somewhat than dragging out the method. The reigning MVP mentioned on the time that he hadn’t dominated out any choice, together with returning to the Packers for an 18th season, retiring or requesting a commerce.
When Rodgers despatched out an Instagram put up late Monday evening thanking present and former teammates and coaches amongst others, it raised hypothesis that an announcement on his future may very well be forthcoming. Rodgers mentioned Tuesday he simply wished to point out some gratitude to individuals who have helped him over the previous yr.
“I simply got here out of a 12-day cleanse the place you’re consuming a particular food regimen and also you’re going by means of these remedies day by day and also you’re not likely doing anything,” Rodgers mentioned throughout his 40-minute dialog.
“You’ve bought to form of flip all the things else off, so that you’re not understanding, you’re not straining or something. It’s form of a re-centering. It not solely heals you bodily, however I believe it takes away psychological stress after which the religious half I believe is it lets you form of benefit from the meditations just a little extra, so after I come out, my first thought is intense gratitude for the folks in my life.”
Rodgers received his second straight MVP award lower than two weeks in the past. The Packers went 13-4 within the common season and received a 3rd straight NFC North title earlier than shedding 13-10 at house to the San Francisco 49ers within the divisional playoffs.
After the season, Rodgers talked about making a call by the point the free company interval begins subsequent month. He continues to level out the significance of getting this finished quickly.
“I get it,” Rodgers mentioned. “There’s not so much to speak about football-wise and this can be a subject of dialog. However I'm trying ahead to creating a call and shifting ahead. I believe it’s greatest for me. It’s greatest for the crew. It’s greatest for all events concerned. Let’s simply get this behind us.”
The 38-year-old Rodgers did provide the Packers some cause for optimism.
He mentioned he loved the postseason conversations he had with crew officers reminiscent of coach Matt LaFleur, common supervisor Brian Gutekunst and govt vp/director of soccer operations Russ Ball.
“The conferences have been a lot totally different than they have been prior to now, in a constructive manner,” Rodgers mentioned. “There have been some actual trustworthy conversations that I recognize.”
He needs to keep away from a repeat of 2021, when his standing with the crew was unsure till the beginning of coaching camp.
Rodgers reported for coaching camp on time final summer time after skipping their obligatory minicamp, however he acknowledged his future with the group was unsure. On the time, he mentioned he wished extra of a voice within the crew’s decision-making course of.
His relationship with Packers administration improved over the course of the season. Rodgers mentioned it began with a gathering he had with Gutekunst shortly after arriving for coaching camp.
“I really feel like that was form of step one to having an actual free-flowing dialog and friendship,” Rodgers mentioned. “I’m undoubtedly grateful for the work that he put in on the connection, and Russ Ball as properly. Matt and I, I imagine yearly we get nearer and extra linked and really feel higher about our communication.”
Rodgers mentioned he additionally needed to make some changes.
“It wasn’t a one-way avenue,” Rodgers mentioned. “I knew that I needed to develop as properly. I needed to be extra snug with these conversations, with being conscious of them in a super-timely method, looking for kindness within the opposed moments or troublesome conversations we had. I really feel like all of us grew and had yr of communication, had good conversations after the season. I felt actually good at how that bought tied up earlier than I left city.”
LaFleur and president/CEO Mark Murphy had mentioned after the season they wished Rodgers again in 2022. They indicated that was a unanimous determination among the many crew’s principal decision-makers.
The Packers appeared to make a transfer aimed toward holding Rodgers final week with the hiring of quarterbacks coach Tom Clements, who beforehand labored with the crew from 2006-16. Rodgers mentioned Tuesday that he owes Clements “a lot credit score for my growth” and added that “the sport is best when Tom Clements is teaching as a result of he’s a type of particular, particular coaches.”