LaFleur says he wants Rodgers back for 2022
If the decision were up to Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, Aaron Rodgers would be back in Green Bay next season.
LaFleur was asked by reporters on Monday how confident he is that Rodgers will return. He made it clear, appearing to speak on behalf of the organization, that a Rodgers return is what’s wanted.
“I sat down and talked to Aaron today for quite some time,” LaFleur said. “I think we’re all a little numb to the situation right now. I would say that what we talked about I’m definitely going to keep between him and myself, but we’re hopeful that he’ll be back next year, obviously.
“This guy has done so much for such a long period of time for this organization, for this city, for this team. I want to be respectful of his process. Whatever he needs to go through to make the best decision for himself, and certainly we would love for him to be a Packer until the day he decides to retire.”
The Packers, who were stunned in the divisional round by the 49ers on Saturday, are about $45 million over next year’s projected salary cap. Rodgers’ favorite weapon, Davante Adams, is a free agent. Difficult decisions loom for the franchise that had the best record in the NFL this regular season.
Rodgers, 38, was noncommittal when asked about the possibility of his return after the devastating 13-10 home loss to the 49ers, saying, “I don’t want to be a part of a rebuild if I’m going to keep playing.
“That’s a fair question — definitely one I’ve thought about. But there are a lot of decisions to be made and key players … So many guys’ contracts are up or on the brink or salary cap stuff, so lot of decisions to be made.”
For LaFleur to say he wants Rodgers to return is pretty big news, considering the quarterback would be an unrestricted free agent after next season. If the Packers traded him, they could potentially recoup several top draft picks for their rebuild. In a year, they could lose him for nothing. Perhaps a happy medium could include a contract extension that eases his cap burden next season, but locks him up for longer.