Assuming they send Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, the Packers will signal the end of an era.
The late Tom Petty wrote a song called “Time To Move On.” There’s a line that says “what lies ahead, I have no way of knowing.”
I know change is uncomfortable. For many Packers fans, Aaron Rodgers is the only Green Bay starting quarterback they’ve ever known. To put it another way, if you were in kindergarten when Rodgers joined the Packers, you’re now an adult, a college graduate, if you went that route.
For many other Packers fans, dating back to 1992, it’s either been Rodgers or Brett Favre at quarterback. Two Hall of Famers.
So here comes Jordan Love. I’m going to be patient and have an open mind with him. Let him go through some of the growing pains that come with starting in games. Remember, the Packers went 6-10 in 2008, Rodgers’ first season as a starter.
Aaron Rodgers played 18 seasons with the Packers. Longer than any other player in their rich history. He deserves respect for what he accomplished. A Super Bowl Championship. Eight division titles. Four MVP awards.
Having said that, no one person is bigger than the Green Bay Packers. Curly Lambeau and Vince Lombardi went elsewhere to finish their careers. Each of them did a lot more for the Packers than Aaron Rodgers.
Brett Favre is a more recent and comparable example. He played for the Jets and Vikings after leaving the Packers. Time heals. Favre was eventually welcomed back with open arms. Rodgers will be too, when the time is right.
Leaving the Packers with the same number of Super Bowl wins as Favre (1) has to be a disappointment for Rodgers. Bart Starr is still the standard for Packers quarterbacks with two Super Bowl victories. Some of his career came before the Super Bowl era. Starr won a total of five NFL championships. He also spent his entire pro career with the Packers.
Now, Aaron Rodgers intends to play with the Jets. Jordan Love will start at quarterback for the Packers when the 2023 season comes this fall. Life goes on. The Packers move on.