"The Curious Case Of Aaron Rodgers"

One of the NFL's all-time great quarterbacks has been very cooky to 
over a decade now. Going back to his days in Green Bay, while winning 
MVPs and stating his case as a top five QB. Aaron Rodgers has hit an 
unfortunate crossroads in his hall of fame career. To keep playing or 
retire from football altogether. 

Rodgers has been in this spot before his exile from Green Bay; dating 
back after losing the NFC title game in 2019 versus San Francisco. 
From there, it was one weird story after another as to "if he wants to 
play" or "request a trade" from the only team he knew since arriving in 
2005. Green Bay drafted his heir in Jordan Love during the 2020 NFL 
Draft.

It's been a rocky six seasons and winning back to back MVPs in 2020- 
2021 as he was still making plays with his legs and arms. Even with 
having home field advantage in the postseason in both of those 
seasons, Rodgers never led Green Bay to the Super Bowl. That lone 
title in 2010 seems moons ago for a guy who seemed destined to win 
multiple Super Bowls. 

But playoff shortcomings and disgruntled egos tainted Rodgers' ability to 
get back to the big game. Contract extensions, changing of the front 
office became content every week. Even with a "darkness retreat," 
everyone scratched their heads as to say if football was a main priority. 
Nevertheless, Green Bay traded him to the New York Jets in 2023 and 
moved on with Jordan Love. 

Here we are as the NFL Draft is a few weeks away and Rodgers has yet 
to sign with a new team. Since his release form the Jets, his market 

value is very low. For a 41 year old quarterback who hasn't been elite 
since 2021 has red flags. Accountability and leadership has been the 
biggest flaws in Rodgers' career. Cooky behavior and dialogue on a 
number of issues around the world. 

Rather it's misinformation about vaccines or wanting to run for vice 
president, this warns teams ahead of "buyer beware." Rodgers' best 
days are behind him; 2011-2016 are behind him and there's no return. 
2019-2022 seasons were a mixed bag but winning two MVPs in that 
span stands out.

Now that the market value is declined, Rodgers met with Pittsburgh 
about joining their team for multiple hours. Considering the magnitude of 
it, most believed this was going to be a done deal. Not quite because 
he's considering taking a full year off from football. If this happens, he 
might as well retire and call it a career. One year away equals your body 
adjusting to being thrown off away from absorbing collision and contact. 
At his age and having an achilles heel injury, father time has set in. 

Rodgers must understand his career has come to this if no team has 
interest in signing him. They're not going out on a limb in making a deal 
if you're not fully committed. All hands have to be on deck in 
accomplishing winning a Super Bowl. None of this bull jive bringing your 
own guys in and making everyone bow down. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers are an historic franchise and used to winning 
consistently. Bringing in Rodgers would raise eyebrows because 
expectations would melt through steel. Head coach Mike Tomlin would 
have to make it work and everyone buy in; but if agendas are in the mix, 
it doesn't make sense. Neither Rodgers or the Steelers look to pair up 
anytime soon. 

If Aaron Rodgers retires, what's his legacy far as winning? MVPs are 
solo accolades, but one lone Super Bowl title is an afterthought. Being a 
distraction and bonafide diva will linger over his years of winning those 
MVPs. He was one of the best quarterbacks of extending plays and 
making throws in tight windows. His hall of fame nod is without question 
cemented in the eyes of fans and players. It's what he's done outside of 
causing confusion and throwing coaches, teammates under the bus 
which raises eyebrows. 

Only Rodgers will know if he's ready to walk away and being isolated in 
a darkness retreat will give him clarity for his next career move beyond 
football. The curious case of Aaron Rodgers is a mystery nobody can 
figure out; not even a genius would rack their brain on this subject.