There was reason to believe that quarterback Aaron Rodgers might have played his last game with the Green Bay Packers. After missing the playoffs following a Week 18 loss to the Detroit Lions, he and wide receiver Randall Cobb were locked in arms as they made their way to the Lambeau Field tunnel. He also denied swapping jerseys with Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams.
Those gestures fueled the speculation that the 39-year-old quarterback might be on the move. However, there’s no certainty yet regarding his next decision. But he shed light on one team he will not go to during his stint at the 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at the Spyglass Hill Golf Course.
“Hey Aaron, you got any news you want to share with us?”
Rodgers: “I’m not going to San Fran.”
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 2, 2023
When asked if he could give the people in attendance some news, the four-time National Football League Most Valuable Player mentioned, “I’m not going to San Fran.”
Throwing in some historical perspective, the Super Bowl XLV champion could have been a member of the San Francisco 49ers if they drafted him first overall in the 2005 NFL Draft. That scenario could have been ideal for the Chico native who played college football at Cal. However, the 49ers took Alex Smith instead and Rodgers fell to the Packers at 24th.
Rodgers’ statement elicited reactions from the American football world.
“Good,” said Learfield and The Blitz 1170 sports radio personality Jeremie Poplin.
— Jeremie Poplin (@jeremiepoplin) February 2, 2023
“Now that I think about it, I can see why he wouldn’t want to be in SF. Raiders or Bucs I think is most probable at this point along with staying in GB,” said Faceoff Sports Network NFL Picks Writer Steve DeAngelo.
Now that I think about it, I can see why he wouldn't want to be in SF. Raiders or Bucs I think is most probable at this point along with staying in GB. https://t.co/msfWNlAJAu
— Steve DeAngelo (@FantasySavvy) February 2, 2023
“I love all these prominent QBs helping out my DMs by stopping silly questions!” said 49ers Rush Podcast Creator and CEO John Chapman.
I love all these prominent QBs helping out my DMs by stopping silly questions! https://t.co/Pbzx8n7fzt
— John Chapman (@JL_Chapman) February 2, 2023
“Bummer, we don’t get to burn $40-50M on a stubborn QB who’s going to retire in 2-3 years. What a loss,” said DL Football Writer and Destination Devy Fantasy Football Injury Analyst Jeff Mueller.
Bummer, we don’t get to burn $40-50M on a stubborn QB who’s going to retire in 2-3 years. What a loss. https://t.co/zSOyOf03gk
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) February 2, 2023
Finally, Turn On The Jets Podcast host Will Parkinson tweeted with looking-eye emojis.
— Will Parkinson (@Willpa11) February 2, 2023
Teams looking to acquire Rodgers will not get a bargain because he has a $50 million annual salary. Like in previous seasons, the football world will anticipate his decision for the 2023 season.