Green Bay Packers’ brass met with the media for the first time since the Green Bay Packers lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur went in front of the media and talked about the season plus what’s on the road map this offseason. All the media wanted to talk about was Aaron Rodgers and if he was going to stay or go. They wanted hard, firm answers about Rodgers and didn’t care about much else. Rodgers is confirmed staying yet again, and the Packers want him to know he is loved within the organization.

Both Gutkeunst and LaFleur delivered strong statements that go beyond next year. Rodgers will likely get the contract restructured, so, he doesn’t feel like a lame duck. I also think Rodgers is smart enough to know that Green Bay has a lot of decisions to make to keep them successful this offseason that are more than just the free agents. Davante Adams is going to need a new deal soon. Jaire Alexander as well. The quicker that Russ Ball and company can put those together the better. So this means the Rodgers negotiations could move slower than expected. And that’s okay. They want him beyond next season.

We all want to interpret want this means for the future of the Packers. But what it reads to me is the Packers believe Rodgers hit level this season that they didn’t think was left from him. That the last few years, the decline looked like it was starting, and Rodgers revived his career with an incredible 2020 season. Rodgers made people believe in him again. Not that he didn’t have the trust of the team, this was the Rodgers of the early 2010s. Many thought that guy disappeared years ago. Whether Jordan Love inspired him or not will remain to be seen, but this Rodgers made believers again.

This is different than the Brett Favre situation in 2007. Favre retired in March paving the way for Rodgers then wanted to come back. There is no sign of Aaron doing that. Hell, he might not do it for eight years. If Favre committed to returning in 2008 and beyond, who knows what Green Bay would have done. Packers wanted to move on to Rodgers mostly because Favre’s ego got too big plus the constant retirement rumors. Rodgers’ ego went that way too, but this year was an eye-opener.

Russ Ball has a lot of work to do. I don’t envy his spreadsheets. My guess is we will be talking about a new Rodgers deal in the coming months. Now, it is up to Packers’ fans and the media to show some patience.

Charlie.