Packers President Mark Murphy: We’re All In Agreement We Want Aaron Rodgers Back

Packers president Mark Murphy writes in his column that he, HC Matt LaFleur, GM Brian Gutekunst and executive VP Russ Ball are all in agreement that they want QB Aaron Rodgers back in Green Bay. 

“A key factor will be whether Aaron Rodgers comes back for the 2022 season. Matt, Brian, executive vice president/director of football operations Russ Ball and I are all in agreement that we want Aaron to come back. He is likely to win his fourth league MVP, is the unquestioned leader of our team and is still playing at a high level at 38,” Murphy writes. 

The Packers are in a tough position this offseason with their cap, which figures to result in some notable roster cuts. Even so, Murphy sounds encouraged by the people making these decisions. 

“Although we will face many challenges this offseason, I have tremendous confidence in Matt, Brian and Russ. I don’t think anyone in the league knows the rules regarding the salary cap better than Russ. He will be our most valuable employee this offseason,” Murphy says. 

Last week, Ian Rapoport reported that there’s a sense of cautious optimism in Green Bay about the chances of Rodgers being back on board for another season with the Packers in 2022. 

Rapoport noted those are buoyed by Rodgers’ decision to stay in Green Bay a few extra days after their season ended in the divisional round following an upset loss to the 49ers. He met with the coaching staff and front office to discuss their plans for this coming offseason. 

Rodgers and the Packers seem to be entering this offseason in better standing than they did last year but they’re not out of the woods yet. Green Bay has some work to do financially to get under the cap without losing too many impact players, and Rodgers said after the season ended, “I don’t want to be part of a rebuild.”

Rodgers’ own contract is among those that will need to be addressed. He’s set to have a cap hit of over $46 million in 2022, which is also the final year of his deal. A trade or extension are two ways to lower that. 

Rodgers, 38, is a former first-round pick of the Packers back in 2005. He agreed to a four-year, $134 million extension that includes over $100 million guaranteed in 2018. 

Rodgers is owed a base salary of $25 million in the final year of his deal in 2022, which is set to void seven days before the start of the 2023 league year.

In 2021, Rodgers appeared in 16 games for the Packers and completed 68.9 percent of his passes for 4,115 yards, 37 touchdowns and four interceptions. He has also rushed for 101 yards and three touchdowns.