Packers president hopes to resolve Rodgers' future before free agency

Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy said Friday he hopes to resolve Aaron Rodgers' future "by the start of free agency," according to Dave Schroeder of WBAY.

The NFL's negotiating period for unrestricted free agents begins March 13 at noon ET, while the new league year officially kicks off March 15 at 4 p.m. ET.

"It kind of happens in our game," he said. "Very few players play for only one team. Brett (Favre) had a great career here. Aaron had a great career here. Regardless of what happens, Aaron will be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He will be in our hall of fame. We will bring him back and retire his number.

"But this is just one of the things that you go through as a team. We want to try to achieve something that is good for both Aaron and us."

Murphy added that Rodgers will only return as the Packers' starting quarterback in 2023 "if things don't work out the way we want them."

Rodgers left his future open-ended following a disappointing 2022 season and has yet to publicly announce his plans for 2023. The New York Jets are reportedly optimistic they will acquire the four-time NFL MVP in a trade after meeting with him Tuesday. New York and Green Bay are apparently engaged in talks about potential trade compensation.

The 39-year-old restructured his contract and signed a three-year, $150-million extension with Green Bay in March 2022.

After winning back-to-back MVP awards in 2020 and 2021, Rodgers declined last year, passing for only 3,695 yards and 26 touchdowns against 12 interceptions in 17 games. Green Bay missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018 after going 8-9.

The Packers are expected to play Jordan Love at quarterback if they part ways with Rodgers.

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