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Aaron Rodgers famously declared himself an unofficial owner of the Chicago Bears.
At one point it appeared he was willing to give up his stake in the Bears and leave the Green Bay Packers via trade or retirement.
Now it appears the four-time NFL MVP quarterback might be coming back to the Green Bay Packers.
It is not exactly the news many Chicago Bears fans were hoping to hear. Chicago Bears nation was hoping to see Rodgers not in a Packers uniform during the 2022 season. The Green Bay Packers were supposed to suffer in their post-Rodgers era.
Getting a glimpse at quarterback Jordan Love’s play may have convinced Green Bay’s front office to put off the suffering for another season or two.
The Packers are prepared to offer Aaron Rodgers as much money as it takes to get him to return to the green and gold.
Packers are prepared to go all in for Aaron Rodgers in 2022, spending as close to the cap this year and spreading it into future years as much as possible, per sources. Saints used this approach for Drew Brees and Green Bay willing to deploy that model to further entice Rogers.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 13, 2022
There is a good chance a Rodgers return to Green Bay happens. Rodgers said his fractured relationship with the Green Bay front office has been repaired.
When he spoke after winning his MVP, Rodgers sounded more like he is choosing between retiring and coming back to the Green Bay Packers.
The Green Bay Packers are in a salary-cap crunch, but they have a path to keep both Rodgers and wide receiver Davante Adams-who could also make a claim he owns the Chicago Bears.
Call it a feeling, but Aaron Rodgers is coming back to Green Bay and bringing DaVante Adams with him.
I’m no Cap Calculator wizard, but I extended Rodgers & Jaire Alexander, cutting both Smiths and Cobb, & ended up with enough money to franchise Adams and sign the draft class ? pic.twitter.com/8pmryIeyGk
— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) February 11, 2022
Although one former Green Bay Packers executive is not convinced Aaron Rodgers will return to Green Bay.
Re questions on Aaron: yes, sticking with view that he will separate from Packers. I know: he’s playing great and likes the front office more. But it is where I am.
Last year I said he would be back when many said he wouldn’t.
Now I maintain he won’t be back as many say he will.
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) February 13, 2022
Andrew Brandt was the Packers salary cap guru during Rodgers’ rookie season. He knows a thing or two about how the Packers operate. Going through the public channels is not something the Packers ever do.
The Packers do seem like a boyfriend or girlfriend desperate to stay in a relationship, publicly professing their love — through ESPN and NFLN — for all to see.
Hmm. This is not a team that ever negotiates publicly.
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) February 13, 2022
They never publicly did this when Brett Favre threatened retirement. Does the public expressing of affection mean the Packers are just wanting to send some Valentine’s Day love, or do they legit fear Rodgers will walk away from the game-or worse, follow through on a trade demand?
Brandt also seems to be thinking something does not smell right with this latest news.
Have the Packers ever said, as they did last year: “We’re not trading Aaron Rodgers?”
That will mean a lot more than “We’re prepared to pay him a lot.”
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) February 13, 2022
He alluded that this could be the Green Bay Packers front office putting on a good public face. Why? This is not a franchise that likes to waste draft picks.
If the Packers commit to Aaron for two years, they will have wasted the Jordan Love pick.
I know what you’re saying: “Who cares, it’s Aaron!”
But they care.
These are not the Rams; they are the “Draft and Develop” Packers.
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) February 13, 2022
What does this mean for the Chicago Bears if Rodgers returns?
It probably means owning the NFC North and never giving it back will have to wait another season or two for the Chicago Bears.
The Green Bay Packers may have to cut some key contributors to their team, but Rodgers has proven over and over again that he can elevate Green Bay to a division title.
Even if Justin Fields develops into a great quarterback, the Chicago Bears have shown an inability to beat Rodgers during his time in Green Bay.
The Bears have gone through four head coaches and now are on head coach number five during the Rodgers era. The Chicago Bears are on general manager number four in that same time period.
New general manager Ryan Poles has major roster holes to fill. It will probably take at least two draft and free-agent classes to get the Chicago Bears roster up to a standard that can consistently defeat Aaron Rodgers.
New head coach Matt Eberflus is implementing a new offensive and defensive scheme. That does not translate well in beating Rodgers.
If Rodgers returns to Green Bay, it probably means another season of torture for the Chicago Bears. It was the hope that Rodgers would leave Green Bay and Fields could start owning the Packers. That hope might have to be delayed by another season or two.