When Will the Bears and Broncos Play Again
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is expected to win his fourth NFL Nearly Valuable Histrion Honor later leading the league with a 111.9 passer rating (37 touchdowns, iv interceptions).
Leon Halip/AP Photos
The Bears are now focused on introducing new full general manager Ryan Poles and new head coach Matt Eberflus, finally scheduling a news conference for Mon morning at Halas Hall after Poles was hired Tuesday and Eberflus on Thursday.
Meanwhile, a 1000 miles abroad in Denver on Friday, the Broncos held a news conference of their own that may or may not impact Poles and Eberflus, with Broncos general managing director George Paton introducing old Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as the team's new autobus.
The significance is obvious: Hackett's hiring potentially opens the door for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to bolt the Packers — a departure that would nearly certainly modify the landscape of the NFC Due north. If Rodgers leaves, the starting quarterbacks in the division are the Vikings' Kirk Cousins, the Lions' Jared Goff, the Bears' Justin Fields and the Packers' Jordan Love. Everyone has a hazard in that scenario.
Asked nigh a Hackett-Rodgers "packet deal," Paton firmly said, "Admittedly not" — and the subject never came upwards again.
But that'south inappreciably the end of it. The Rodgers scenario will be there until it isn't as Rodgers mulls his future in the offseason. A year ago, miffed at Packers management, he seemed determined to maneuver his style out of Green Bay. When the Packers chosen his bluff, he relented at the concluding minute, announcing on the eve of training campsite that he would play for them in 2021.
A magnificent season that's expected to earn Rodgers his quaternary NFL MVP award seemed to heal the rift between him and general manager Brian Gutekunst — the source of his irritation most the franchise's "culture." Rodgers complimented Gutekunst in postseason comments this week. And coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers would "be crazy to not desire [Rodgers] back here" in the aftermath of their stunning 13-10 playoff loss to the 49ers at Lambeau Field. LaFleur noted that Gutekunst, team president Mark Murphy and director of football operations Russ Ball shared that sentiment.
As it turns out, the Packers' dire salary-cap situation might be the biggest hurdle to Rodgers' staying in Green Bay. They're $xl million over the salary cap, which might preclude them from applying the franchise tag on costless-agent receiver Davante Adams and certainly will strength them to make other tough roster decisions. Rodgers said this calendar week he doesn't want to be part of a rebuild.
So have it for what it's worth that Rodgers has been a large Hackett fan since Hackett became the Packers' offensive coordinator in 2019.
"There'south nobody in the building that brings me more joy or is more fun to be around than Nathaniel Hackett," Rodgers told Packers crush reporters in 2020. "I just knew Hack and I were going to bond. He's go a close confidant and friend besides a fantastic autobus. . . . I love him. I hope he doesn't go anywhere — unless I practise."
Other departures could impact Rodgers' determination. Quarterbacks coach/passing-game coordinator Luke Getsy is a leading candidate for the Bears' offensive coordinator chore under Eberflus. (The Milwaukee Journal Lookout reported Getsy has been offered the chore.) Getsy is in line to replace Hackett but would not have play-calling responsibilities with La-Fleur in accuse, which makes it more probable he'll likewise leave.
So the Packers could be challenged to maintain their dominance in the NFC Northward. But through cap issues and coaching changes, it still comes down to Rodgers — will he stay or volition he get?
Source: https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/1/28/22907249/are-broncos-opening-the-door-for-aaron-rodgers
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