Aaron Rodgers’ return retains Packers’ title window open, nevertheless it’s simply step one – Inexperienced Bay Packers Weblog

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Final season wasn’t “The Last Dance” for quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.

Now, they’ve to determine how you can preserve dancing longer within the playoffs than they did in what appeared like a Tremendous-Bowl-or-bust 12 months.

Rodgers’ decision to return for another season, as he instructed Pat McAfee on Tuesday morning, is simply the start. Whereas it’s a very powerful piece, it’s not the one one.

Actually, now the actual work begins.

It’s on common supervisor Brian Gutekunst and salary-cap supervisor Russ Ball to determine how the Packers can’t solely make one other run with as most of the gamers from final season as potential, but in addition make some vital additions to push them excessive.

“There’s so much to construct on there, whether or not I’m there or not,” Rodgers mentioned on Feb. 10, after accepting his MVP award. “I feel they’ve bought a extremely good nucleus in place. Ought to I come again, there’s some issues that have to get executed, in all probability, to get the group the place it must go.”

There’s no cause to assume Rodgers’ play will decline; he was as sharp within the common season as ever on the best way to successful his fourth MVP and second in a row. He turned 38 within the midst of one in every of his best seasons with 37 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. His 9.four touchdown-to-interception ratio during the last two seasons is the very best in a two-season span in NFL historical past with a minimal of 1,000 makes an attempt, in response to ESPN Stats & Info. He missed one recreation after he contracted COVID-19, with the Packers dropping on the Kansas City Chiefs, due to his obligatory quarantine as an unvaccinated participant, nevertheless it didn’t stop the Packers from incomes the highest seed for the NFC playoffs.

The playoffs, nevertheless, have been one other story. Rodgers didn’t play as much as his regular-season requirements, as has been the case all too typically within the 16 playoff video games because the Packers gained Tremendous Bowl XLV (he’s 7-9 in these video games). These 16 straight begins with out reaching the Tremendous Bowl signify the longest streak by any QB in postseason historical past, in response to ESPN Stats & Info.

Whereas Rodgers struggled within the 13-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers within the divisional spherical, the Packers’ particular groups have been a catastrophe.

Coach Matt LaFleur tried to handle the particular groups issues with one other teaching change, naming former Raiders interim head coach Wealthy Bisaccia as his third particular groups coordinator in 4 years.

Rodgers mentioned he didn’t wish to be a part of a rebuilding course of, and given the Packers’ salary-cap troubles –- they have been nonetheless $27.5 million over the cap earlier than together with All-Professional receiver Davante Adams, who is anticipated to obtain the franchise tag — that may require extra work. Ball already has been busy restructuring offers to create cap house and can have extra strikes to make.

Rodgers’ return ought to assist with that. If he hasn’t already executed so, he’ll signal a contract extension that may decrease his salary-cap cost of $46,144,156. There are a number of methods to care for that even when Rodgers solely performs another season.

The Packers not solely have to preserve Adams, but in addition should make him blissful. The franchise tag gained’t try this. No participant needs to play with out the safety of a long-term deal, although Adams’ tag would pay him $20.12 million.

Rodgers additionally should have obtained assurances from Gutekunst that he’ll be capable of do extra than simply preserve Adams. Among the many Packers’ key free brokers are linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, cornerback Rasul Douglas, receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling and receiver Allen Lazard (a restricted free agent).

Rodgers additionally should have been happy the Packers lured one in every of his favourite coaches, Tom Clements, out of retirement to switch quarterbacks coach Luke Getsy (who grew to become the Bears offensive coordinator). In any case, LaFleur mentioned Rodgers had a “significant role” within the rent.

Regardless of the group appears to be like like, the Packers consider Rodgers offers them their greatest probability to win the Tremendous Bowl, even when his current playoff historical past doesn’t match his regular-season efficiency. Turning issues over to quarterback Jordan Love, whom the Packers traded as much as choose within the first spherical of the 2020 draft, would virtually actually imply a season of rising pains and a probable rebuild with out most of the aforementioned free brokers.

Now, that may wait at the very least one other 12 months.