Aaron Rodgers considers ‘tough decision’ on future after latest playoff loss

Aaron Rodgers heads into another offseason of uncertainty after one more frustrating finish to a brilliant year. Rodgers drove the Packers to a touchdown on the game’s opening possession, then couldn’t get them back in the end zone the rest of Saturday night. Their season ended with a stunning 13-10 NFC divisional playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

“A little numb, for sure,” Rodgers said after game. “I didn’t think it was going to end like this.”

But was this just the end of Rodgers’ season? Or is it the end of his remarkable tenure in Green Bay? The upset loss capped a turbulent year in which Rodgers skipped the Packers’ mandatory minicamp; missed a game due to a positive Covid-19 test after making misleading comments about his vaccination status; but still earned All-Pro honors and put himself in position for a possible fourth MVP award.

Rodgers didn’t want to speculate on his future. He said last month that he hadn’t ruled out any possibility, including returning to Green Bay, requesting a trade or retiring.

“I’m still super competitive, still know I can play at a high level, so it’s going to be a tough decision,” Rodgers said after the game. “I have a lot of things to weigh in the coming weeks. But man, just so much gratitude for this city and this organization and such a long, long career here that I’m proud of and really thankful for all the men and women that work here, the men I’ve gotten to cross paths with, coaches and players over the years.”

Rodgers did say on Saturday night that his relationship with general manager Brian Gutekunst had improved this season.

“There’s a lot of players whose futures are up in the air, so definitely will be interesting to see which way some of those decisions will go,”