Aaron Rodgers is 36 years old, his contract runs until 2023 and his wish is to end his career with the Green Bay Packers. But a contract clause increases the pressure on him from next season on.

Legends usually have two options at the crossroads.

They can cement their earned status in the autumn of their career, make themselves immortal in a certain way, end their career where they have left deep footprints. Ideally at the right time, before the monument crumbles. To ensure their legacy.

Eli Manning, for example, has passed his zenith with the New York Giants by at least two seasons, but he is still loved, only perhaps not quite as deeply. Drew Brees, on the other hand, wants to continue to know about the New Orleans Saints. But the 41-year-old will certainly always be a Saint even without another Super Bowl victory.

A new adventure
Forever “Who Dat Nation”.

Or there’s the chance to try something else again. To look for a new challenge somewhere else. Included in the luggage: the danger of peeing on your own monument, of causing it to crack.

Like Philip Rivers. Or Tom Brady. Rivers left the Chargers in the off-season and went to Indianapolis. Brady caused an NFL quake when he joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The sporting revenue? That remains to be seen. But the fact is, last impressions are often decisive.

The question is: What is Aaron Rodgers doing in this squad?

Forever “The Pack”?
The Green Bay Packers’ quarterback turned 36 in December and has been playing for the Packers since 2005.

Forever a “cheesehead”?

If Rodgers has his way, yes. “My legacy is really important to me,” Rodgers said on the Pat McAfee Show. The opportunity to spend my entire career in Green Bay “would mean a lot to me.

The crux of the matter is that sometimes you get the new challenge. Ironically, this is the case with Rodgers’ predecessor Brett Favre, who actually couldn’t imagine playing anywhere else but Green Bay. For three seasons, however, he had to play for the Jets and Vikings after Rodgers replaced him.

His contract runs until 2023, so four seasons is a long time. But the team can part with Rodgers from this season on, ESPN reports.

Even if this is highly unlikely at the moment, also in view of the strong 2019 season and the fact that this team has basic Super Bowl potential, Rodgers is currently one year older than Favre was when Rodgers was selected in 24th place in the 2005 draft.

Leave no other choice
“I want to make this decision easy for them,” said Rodgers. “The only way is to keep playing at a high level and leave them no choice but to keep betting on you because you are the best option and give them the best chance of winning. That’s my goal.” To make yourself indispensable. The same thing he’s always done.

The Packers’ goal: To find someone in time to inherit the superstar. In the upcoming draft, they have 10 picks, first one in 30th place.

Jordan Love is said to be very popular with the Packers, they recently met him virtually to get to know him better in times of the coronavirus.

Rodgers knows the business. Knows the situation.

Rodgers realistically
“I am realistic. I know where we stand as an organisation and where I am at in my career,” said Rodger’s ESPN. “I always felt that no matter who they bring in, they’re not gonna be able to beat me.”

Until now. And undoubtedly probably a little longer.

But he would not be the first legend to miss the right moment. And missed the opportunity.