Rodgers, QBs become top attractions at NFL combine
The Green Bay Packers will continue to play the waiting game with Aaron Rodgers. They’re also ready with a backup plan.
Though GM Brian Gutekunst’s first choice still appears to be bringing back the four-time league MVP and longtime face of the team, Gutekunst acknowledged the Packers are willing to go with Jordan Love — if needed.
“I think he’s ready to play. I think he’s ready to be an NFL starting quarterback,” Gutekunst said Tuesday from the NFL combine, referring to Love. “He’s worked really hard. He’s shown a lot of progression. I know he’s really eager to have that, and I think that’s the next step in his progression, is to play.”
First, though, Rodgers must make his call.
The one-time Super Bowl champ is scheduled to cost the Packers $59.5 million, a prohibitively high number that would prevent the team from doing much in free agency.
Rodgers has already acknowledged publicly if he does return, he would likely redo his contract. He also has completed the “darkness retreat” he said would help him sort out his options.
Green Bay also must decide whether to exercise its fifth-year option on Love, their first-round pick from 2020 who has not played much as Rodgers’ backup. Extending Love’s contract through next season would cost the team $20.3 million in 2024.
Otherwise, the Packers next year could be facing the same dilemma the Giants and Ravens now have — using franchise tags to keep their starters, Daniel Jones and Lamar Jackson.
The Jets are in the quarterback market yet again and are one of several teams now jockeying for position to answer their own quarterback questions.
While Jets GM Joe Douglas acknowledged the team remains committed to Zach Wilson, Douglas also said team officials have spoken with the recently released Derek Carr and they plan to meet again this week. The
Panthers also plans to meet this week with Carr.
Two other veterans also recently hit the open market. The Commanders cut Carson Wentz on Monday and 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota was released Tuesday by the Falcons. Both teams seem content to go with second-year quarterbacks Desmond Ridder and Sam Howell, at least for now.
• The NFC champion Eagles are moving on with new offensive and defensive coordinators. They promoted quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson to offensive coordinator, replacing Shane Steichen after he left to become head coach of the Colts. The Eagles also named Sean Desai as defensive coordinator, hiring him away from his role as associate head coach with the Seahawks. Desai succeeds Jonathan Gannon, who left after the Super Bowl to become the head coach of the Cardinals.
• The Bills have a big hole to fill at defensive coordinator after Leslie Frazier informed the team he is taking a year off from coaching but plans to return for the 2024 season.
• The Commanders placed the franchise tag on Daron Payne, keeping the standout defensive tackle under contract following the best season of his NFL career. Payne, who will earn just over $18.9 million if he plays on the franchise tag next season, led the team with a careerhigh 11 1/2 sacks and went to the Pro Bowl.
• Irv Cross, the former Eagles defensive back who became the first Black man to work full time as a sports analyst on national television, is the latest football player diagnosed with the brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Cross, who was 81 when he died Feb. 28, 2021, suffered from stage 4 CTE, Boston University researchers said.
Dubai Championships in his first match since winning his 10th Australian Open title.
Djokovic’s first-round victory came a day after the 35-year-old Serb broke the record for the most time spent at No. 1 in the professional tennis rankings by a man or woman. A presentation was held after the match to recognize Djokovic’s 378th week in the ATP’s top spot, surpassing Steffi Graf’s 377 leading the WTA.
• Twenty-two-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal pulled out of the upcoming hard-court tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami because of the left hip flexor injury that has sidelined him since the Australian Open.
The 81-year-old Le Graët is under judicial investigation for alleged sexual and moral harassment. He had already stepped away from his duties until the audit’s findings were reviewed by the federation’s executive committee.
Federation vice president Philippe Diallo will handle Le Graët’s duties on an interim basis until June.
• The rematch between undisputed women’s boxing champions Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano won’t take place as planned on May 20 because of an injury to Serrano.
Taylor edged Serrano by split decision last April, defending her lightweight title in what organizers called the most significant bout in women’s boxing history.
• Bob Richards, a twotime Olympic pole vault gold medalist, died Sunday. He was 97.
The U.S. Olympic Hall of Famer competed at the 1948, 1952 and 1956 Olympics in the pole vault. The versatile athlete known as the “Vaulting Vicar” also competed in the Olympic decathlon in 1956.