If you’re an NFL fan or even loosely follow the sport, you’ll know what’s been going on with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers over the last couple of weeks.
The Packers signal-caller and three-time Most Valuable Player has felt “disgruntled” with the organization as of late. Rumored causes behind this include Green Bay’s failure to give Rodgers more weapons to them drafting Jordan Love as his successor last NFL season. Last week, it was also reported that the Packers were going to trade Rodgers sometime during the offseason but decided to change their minds.
It’s at the point now where the Packers have openly said that they don’t want to trade Rodgers and now he’s, allegedly, telling free agents that he won’t be in town in 2021.
With that being said, fans and experts alike are wondering what the future holds for No. 12. He’s one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, so it’s not surprising that the public is curious.
Bovada has released two betting markets regarding whether or not Rodgers will play football in the upcoming season. The first market has to do with him possibly sitting out for the year, while the second considers a possible early retirement.
NFL Odds: Will Aaron Rodgers Sit Out for the 2021 NFL Season?
Odds via Bovada as of Thursday, May 6
- No (-1200)
- Yes (+600)
While NFL stars have sat out seasons in the past, it doesn’t look like Aaron Rodgers will do the same. Bovada is favoring the idea that he won’t skip the 2021 campaign at -1200 odds.
The truth is that Rodgers is a professional who has a legacy to uphold. While the Packers haven’t always met his demands, other players have had much worse done to them. If Rodgers missed an entire NFL season because of trade demands, one has to wonder how that would impact his legacy down the line. Yes, he’s won three MVP awards and a Super Bowl, but people have an easier time remembering the bad over the good.
There’s also the fact that Rodgers is 37 years old and might not have that many years left in the NFL in general. Let’s just say he has three or four seasons left in him. For him to miss an entire season’s worth of stats at this stage in his career might not be something he’s willing to do. Either way, it still remains a possibility depending on how volatile the situation gets. Even though there’s only a +600 chance of him missing the 2021 season, never say never in the world of sports betting.
Will Rodgers End Up Retiring in 2021?
Odds via Bovada as of Thursday, May 6
- No (-850)
- Yes (+450)
In a world where Rodgers and the Packers don’t put things behind him or a trade can’t be found, the star quarterback could always end up retiring. He’s made enough money and left a nearly unmatchable legacy in the NFL. If he wants out of the situation, retirement might be the easiest solution.
However, Bovada is leaning towards the fact that Rodgers won’t retire at -850 odds. A player’s retirement should be something they want to do and perhaps not something done just to spite a team. Even if he did retire, there’s the possibility that Rodgers would miss the game and want to return. In that case, he’d still be a member of the Packers and would either 1) find a trade all over again or 2) bury the past between the two.
If that’s the case, Rodgers is better off trying to force the Packers to pursue a trade sooner than later.
