‘No reason I won’t be back’, says Packers ace Rodgers
LOS ANGELES: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers played down suggestions he was ready to leave Lambeau Field on Tuesday, saying in an interview he could see no reason why he wouldn’t return to the club next season.
In an interview with Sirius XFM radio’s “Pat McAfee Show”, Rodgers clarified comments he had made in the wake of Sunday’s NFC Championship defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Rodgers had triggered speculation following Sunday’s 31-26 loss after stating that his future was “uncertain.”
However on Tuesday, the 37year-old said his comments had been misconstrued.
“I don’t feel like I said anything that I hadn’t said before,” Rodgers said.
“It was just more of a realization, I think, that ultimately my future is not in my control, which just kind of hit me in the moment.
“Obviously, after the season that I had, and potentially winning MVP and we obviously made another good run, I don’t think that there’s any reason why I wouldn’t be back.”
Rodgers’ comments on Sunday followed a bitterly disappointing defeat, which effectively ended when Packers head coach Matt LaFleur controversially opted to kick a late field goal rather than allow Rodgers to go for a potentially game-tying touchdown on fourth down.
“A lot of guys’ futures, they’re uncertain - myself included,” Rodgers said Sunday.
Asked what the next step of his career would be, Rodgers added: “I don’t know. I really don’t.
“There’s a lot of unknowns going into this offseason now. And I’m just going to have to take some time away for sure and clear my head and kind of see what’s going on with everything... there’s always change.”
Rodgers’ predecessor, Packers legend Brett Favre, said he expected Rodgers to suit up again for Green Bay next season.
“Look, there’s no way the Packers would do anything to jeopardize losing Aaron, unless Aaron just chooses to retire, which I would be shocked,” Favre said in an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“I wouldn’t pay much attention to what he said. I’ve been there. It hurts. It’s painful. The last thing you want to do is think about next year because you’ve just had a major disappointment, and that’s what you’re hearing in that soundbite.”