Clearly miffed when he was ignored by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2005 NFL draft, Aaron Rodgers just might get the chance to finish his career with the team that lives three hours south of his home town.
If not the 49ers, well, then it will surely be one of 30 other teams. Just not in Green Bay.
That became evident to the 36-year-old future Hall of Fame quarterback last month when the Packers used their first-round selection to take Utah State QB Jordan Love. Rodgers was hoping they would grab a receiver who could help them win now, not his eventual successor.
“I’m not going to say I was thrilled with the pick,” Rodgers said Friday in a conference call with reporters, his first public comments since the draft. “I think it was more the surprise, based on my own feeling of wanting to play into my 40s, and really the realization that it does change the controllables a little bit. As much as I feel confident in my abilities and what I can accomplish and what we can accomplish, there are some new factors that are out of my control. And so my sincere desire to start and finish with the same organization, just as it is with many other players over the years, may not be a reality at this point.”
Rodgers, who signed a $134-million extension in 2018, is under contract for four more seasons. Numbers reported on ESPN.com state that should they move him after the 2020 season, the Packers would save just $4.76 million on the cap and have $31.556 million in dead money. After the 2021 season, they would save $22.648 million but would have to count $17.204 million in dead money.
Rodgers said he respects the team foresight in looking ahead, and he expects to have a great relationship with Love.
“He didn’t ask to be drafted by the Packers,” said Rodgers. “He’s not to blame at all. He’s just coming in and excited about his opportunity.”
Rodgers is intent on presenting the Packers with a “very hard” decision.
“If I were to retire in the organization’s timetable, then it’s an easy decision,” he said. “But if there comes a time where I feel I can still play at a high level and my body feels great, you know, then there’s other guys that have gone on and played elsewhere.”
Just watch, in two years Rodgers will take over for Tom Brady in Tampa.
SECOND AND GOAL
The attorney for Quinton Dunbar says he has “five sworn affidavits from witnesses,” that say the Seahawks cornerback was not involved in an alleged armed robbery Thursday morning in Miramar, Fla. “I’m confident that he was there but confident he didn’t commit a crime,” said Michael Grieco. “He got targeted because of who he was.” Also charged was Giants DeAndre Baker, the first corner selected in 2019 draft and holder of a signed four-year $10.2 million deal that included a $5.6 million singing bonus. Dunbar and Baker allegedly lost $70,000 gambling earlier in the week. Allegedly, they and a masked accomplice stole $12,000 in cash and $61,000 in watches at a party. Allegedly, they had three getaway cars waiting for them — a Mercedes-Benz, a Lamborghini and a BMW. Oh, don’t worry, we’re all thinking the same thing … Commissioner Roger Goodell has informed teams they are permitted to begin opening their training facilities as of Tuesday — provided they check a few boxes. Such as, they are not allowed to have more than 50 percent of staff in the facility, and the number cannot exceed 75 people; to “ensure equality among all 32 teams” the only coach permitted on site is the strength and conditioning guy, and only if he is currently participating in player rehabilitation; no players are allowed in the facility unless they are undergoing treatment; teams must promptly report any incidence of COVID-19. Hey, it’s a start …
SIDELINE TO SIDELINE
Already Buffalo third-round pick Zack Moss looks like he’ll be a favourite of Bills Mafia. The 5-foot-9, 223-pound running back out of Utah has qualities reminiscent of Marshawn Lynch, who started his career in upper state New York. And that’s not even counting his ‘Moss Mode’ line of merchandise. Asked on Good Morning Football about his mindset when running the ball, Moss said: “To just not be tackled. To make sure I’m not being tackled by one guy. You going to tackle me, it’s going to have to be a business decision.” Whereas Lynch is fuelled by Skittles, Moss goes another route. “Only thing I like to snack on a lot is gummy bears,” he said … The future home of the Rams and Chargers, SoFi Stadium, will reportedly cost 2-3 times more than the $2-3 billion original projection. (That’s $5-6 billion, because we said there’d be no math). According to a report in The Athletic, the Rams have asked the NFL for $500 million in additional funding and double the time (to 30 years) they’ll have to repay the loan. The Rams and Chargers initially borrowed $400 million from the league for the project, which the Rams say is 85 percent completed. It looks spectacular (no kidding, for that kind of coin) and is certain to be much nicer than Allegiant Stadium, which will be the new home of the Las Vegas Raiders and located in Paradise, Nevada. It’s reportedly only costing $2 billion.
EXTRA POINTS
James Harrison’s Instagram response to a story he started was almost comical. “Wow y’all really comparing what I said to BOUNTYA$GATE?!? Mike T. has NEVER paid me for hurting someone or TRYING to hurt someone or put a bounty on ANYBODY.” What exactly did he expect after telling a podcast Steelers coach Mike Tomlin handed him “an envelope” and insinuating there was money inside when he was fined 75 grand for an illegal head hit 10 years ago? … The Saints have added another multi-purpose player in Ty Montgomery, the running back/wide receiver/return specialist who spent last season with the Jets after a couple of more productive years in Green Bay. Montgomery will serve as insurance and relief for Alvin Kamara, but he’ll also have to split carries with the still productive Latavius Murray and “gadget guy” Taysom Hill.
dbrennan@postmedia.com
