NEWSLETTER
Aaron Rodgers winning another MVP trophy left me with a bleh taste in my mouth.
And I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling that way.
Sure, the numbers were as good as they ever were. And I guess overcoming the self-generated drama could count for something in the eyes of voters. But for my money, Tom Brady doing what he did in his age 44 season for an offense with no ground game and just as much drama (thanks in part to Antonio Brown) in what turned out to be his final season as a pro was well-deserving of MVP honors. It was a season for the ages for Brady, whose G.O.A.T. status doesn’t change one bit despite not getting another MVP trophy.
Nevertheless, it’s another one for Rodgers. But will it be his lsat in Green Bay? To that point, I’m unsure. His comments to Taylor Biscotti on Thursday night were relatively tame, but also telling:
“I am really thankful to be here. It’s fun to share the stage with Peyton and see so many guys who inspired me.”⁰⁰@TaylorBisciotti chats with @AaronRodgers12 after winning 2021 @NFL MVP. pic.twitter.com/qXLnl1AfWE
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 11, 2022
Rodgers saying “I’ve had good conversations with Green Bay, I’ll do some contemplating, and make a decision pretty quick” stands out from that conversation.
As does name-checking Head Coach Matt LaFleur, President Mark Murphy, GM Brian Gutekunst, and team executive Russ Ball (who is responsible for managing the cap) in his MVP acceptance speech thanking them for the season that was in Green Bay.
Rob Demovsky (ESPN) pulls this quote from Rodgers: “There was obviously some things that were voiced in the offseason, privately between him and myself, and I’m just thankful for the response. There was a lot of things that were done to make me feel really special and important, to the present, the past and the future of the franchise. And I’ve got to say that Russ and Brian especially had a big hand in that. And it didn’t go unnoticed.”
It sure sounds like, after spending a chunk of last year at odds with each other, that Rodgers and management are on the same page. And with Rodgers out here naming everyone under the sun at the Lambeau Field complex who was helpful in his MVP efforts, it sure seems like the good vibes are flowing in Green Bay. Frankly, this should concern everyone in the NFC North. Because if Rodgers returns, he’ll likely insist on stud receiver Davante Adams joining him. That probably leaves the Packers working on a stars-and-scrubs plan with Rodgers and Adams at the center of it all trying to squeeze one more title run out of whatever the quarterback has left in the tank in his age 38 season (and probably beyond).
Most importantly, it leaves three other teams looking up at the defending division champs who have one heckuva chip on their shoulders.
But, hey, at least he won’t spend the offseason torturing folks with subliminal messages and holding a franchise hostage. Rodgers did reiterate his plan to make a quick decision, something he has been saying for some time.
Solely based rom the sounds from last night, I can’t help but think Rodgers will be back with the Packers in 2022. And that would leave me feeling worse than I did when I saw that he was triumphant in winning another MVP.
