Two days after Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said that he's yet to make a decision on his future in the NFL, ESPN insider Dianna Russini reported on Thursday that the two-time reigning league MVP will inform the team of his 2022 plan "soon," and multiple teams have already placed trade offers on the table.
Although there's no definitive countdown for "soon," Rodgers told reporters last month -- following the Packers' divisional-round playoff loss -- that he'd reveal his decision before the new league years opens Mar. 16. But Rodgers' announcement could come a week earlier, and before the NFL franchise tag deadline arrives on Mar. 8. That date is rather important to Green Bay, since elite receiver Davante Adams is set to become an unrestricted free agent.
"I do think a large part of [Rodgers'] delay here is about, maybe not leverage, but trying to make sure that Adams gets taken care of and is definitely going to be playing in Green Bay prior to his agreeing," CheeseheadTV co-founder Aaron Nagler told the JR SportBrief show on Thursday. "I do think Adams is a major piece of this. I don't discount the idea that deadline is coming up when the Packers have to make a decision to place the franchise tag on Adams.
"Something they haven't done since 2010, as far as utilizing a franchise tag on a player... I know they haven't talked since the end of the year, but I've got to suspect the Packers and Davante's people will undoubtedly have talks closer to that deadline... I think that [Rodgers] is, not trying to put the screws on the Packers, but he's trying to do what he can to help his friend get this kind of, precedent-breaking deal... That's a major domino that has to fall."
Regardless of whether Rodgers intends to play an 18th season in Green Bay next fall, it'd certainly behoove the franchise to hold onto Adams and never let him go. In eight seasons, the 29-year-old has appeared in five Pro Bowls and earned All-Pro honors twice. He also ranks second in Packers history in touchdowns (73), second in receptions (669), and fourth in yards (8,121).
If Green Bay places the franchise tag on Adams, he'd receive $19.1 million in 2022, per OverTheCap projections. At this time, Spotrac lists Adams' market value at $129.3 million over five years, which carries an AAV of $25.8 million. With this average salary, Adams would become the league's second-highest paid receiver and 16th-highest paid player.
The entire Packers conversation between Nagler and JR can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow the JR SportBrief show on Twitter @JRSportBrief and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.