The Aaron Rodgers offseason saga has met a relatively half-hearted conclusion. Yes, the reigning NFL MVP has returned to the Green Bay Packers and will suit up for the season.
However, given all that's gone down the past few months, with some baggage carry-over from seasons' past, anything less than a trade away from Green Bay or a full-on commitment to the Packers leaves the story open-ended.
Aaron Rodgers recently spoke to NBC Sports' Peter King upon his whirlwind arrival at Packers camp. His soundbites were definitely interesting to say the least:
When we look up at the ceiling at night, and we think about everything, of course we think about what the future holds. Rodgers too. But in 17 minutes together, he wouldn’t go there, to 2022. No speculation whether he’ll be traded somewhere, or whether he’ll stay in Green Bay, or the remote chance he’ll retire. His feet will stay where they are, as they say.
Aaron Rodgers did, however, say something I didn’t expect:
“Last year at this time, I was looking at the season as my last year in Green Bay.”
Aaron Rodgers revealed that he came into last season fully expecting a divorce. And yet here he is, disgruntled but ready for another run with the Packers.
King noted how Rodgers really wasn't letting the specter of his future hang over him out of respect for his teammates and staff. He knows how to play the game off the field, and feeding the media beast will do nothing but cause distractions in what could very well be his true, final season in Green Bay.
“The future? Who knows what’s going to happen,” said the Packers QB. “Right now I’m focusing on how special this moment is and this opportunity is.”
“Some things are better left unsaid.”
In all likelihood, nothing short of a Super Bowl will be enough for Aaron Rodgers. His trek towards the summit starts in Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints.