Packers GM: 'We'll know here shortly' on Rodgers' decision

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst says he’s not giving Aaron Rodgers any deadlines on when to decide on a possible return and he believes the four-time MVP will reach a resolution soon.

Rodgers has said he hasn’t made up his mind regarding his plans for next season and hasn’t ruled out returning to the Packers, retiring or requesting a trade.

“I think we’ll know here shortly,” Gutekunst said Wednesday. “I feel confident we’ll know that shortly.”

Rodgers, who won his second straight MVP award this past season, has said he’d like to make a decision by the time the free agency period starts next month. He wants to give the Packers enough time to prepare for life with or without him.

Gutekunst acknowledges Rodgers’ decision will factor into other choices the Packers make as they build their roster for the 2022 season and noted the 38-year-old quarterback is well aware of that.

Rodgers said Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Show” on YouTube and SiriusXM that the postseason conversations he had with Gutekunst, Packers coach Matt LaFleur and executive vice president/director of football operations Russ Ball were much more positive than usual. Rodgers had skipped the Packers’ mandatory minicamp last year in a standoff with team management.

“There’s a process that obviously we’re going through,” Gutekunst said. “There’s a process that he’s going through. And we’re very respectful of that.”

Gutekunst also was asked about his discussions with Rodgers last summer and if the team had promised to move the veteran quarterback if he wanted out after the 2021 season.

“That was not something I told him,” Gutekunst said. “I think the whole conversation with Aaron last season before he came back was that