What happens now that Aaron Rodgers has completed his ‘darkness retreat?’
With Aaron Rodgers now out of the darkness and back into the light, focus has once again fallen on the question of what his future plans are.
Prior to embarking on a journey in isolation, the Packers’ signal caller indicated that he was doing so in an effort to gain clarity and would return with a firm decision about the future of his career in the NFL. Has that time truly arrived?
Aaron Rodgers ends “darkness retreat”
According to reports, Aaron Rodgers brought an end to his darkness retreat at Sky Cave Retreats on Wednesday, just two days after reportedly entering on Monday. Speaking earlier this month on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Rodgers suggested that he would spend four days in total darkness in order “to contemplate all things” and “make a decision that I feel like is best for me moving forward in the highest interest in my happiness.”
As for what the Packers star experienced while on retreat, it’s understood that the room he was in was a “a partially underground, Hobbit-like structure with 300 square feet of space, devoid of light, with a queen bed, a bathroom and a meditation-like mat on the floor.” Indeed, that was the description given by the owner of the business, Scott Berman, who also explained that the rooms do in fact have lights and electricity which can be controlled from inside them. Berman also added that guests are given a once-a-day check and there are no rules about remaining in complete darkness.
Decision time for Aaron Rodgers
Of course, if you’ve been following Rodgers in recent weeks, you will know this means the intense speculation about what he will do next, is about to resume. At the heart of the saga is the simple question of whether or not Aaron Rodgers will continue to play with the Green Bay Packers. If that proves not to be the case, the next question will be about whether he retires from the game of football, or plies his trade with another team in the NFL.
To date, we’ve seen a few options, with the first being that he returns to the Packers, something the franchise seems to believe could happen. On the other hand, it’s worth mentioning that were Rodgers to be moved on before June 1st, it would cost the Packers $40.3 million in 2023, however, if the trade occurred after that date, that figure would drop to $15.8 million as per ‘Over The Cap.’ The bottom line is: If he stays, it’s going to cost a pretty penny - $59.465 million this season to be precise. Of course, there’s also Jordan Love to consider who has made it clear that he has no interest in sitting at No. 2 behind Rodgers once again.
Where could Aaron Rodgers go?
Though there have been a ton of rumors such as a reunion with Davante Adams in Las Vegas, or even a move to replace Tom Brady in Tampa Bay, the New York Jets are perhaps the most well-known suitor in the spotlight. Following the Zach Wilson debacle at quarterback, the Jets have been linked with a number of veterans including Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo and Ryan Tannehill. Yet, it’s got to be said that none of those players can match Rodgers’ CV and that’s before we consider his close ties with Nathaniel Hackett, the Jets’ present OC who coached Rodgers previously in Green Bay. Ultimately, in the face of uncertainty we’ve got to come back to what we do know, which is that Rodgers may actually retire. You will recall, that the two-time MVP didn’t hide the fact that he seriously contemplated calling it quits, prior to signing his massive deal last offseason. For the moment, all we can do is watch this space.