Murphy: Rodgers ‘Had Great Career Here’

Speaking at the Wisconsin state girls basketball tournament, Mark Murphy said the Packers are trying to "achieve something that's good" for the team and Rodgers.

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
Mar 10, 2023 5:25 PM EST

In this story:

Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Packers President Mark Murphy put Aaron Rodgers’ career in the past tense on Friday.

Speaking to WBAY-TV’s Adriana Torres at the WIAA state girls basketball tournament at the Resch Center, which is located across the street from Lambeau Field, Murphy made clear that the team is ready to part ways with the four-time MVP quarterback.

“It happens in our game. Very few players play for only one team,” Murphy said. “Obviously, Brett (Favre) had a great career here; Aaron had a great career here. Regardless of what happens, Aaron will be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he’ll be in our Hall of Fame. We will bring him back and retire his number.

“But this is just one of the things that you go through as a team. We want to try to achieve something that’s good for both Aaron and us.”

During a separate interview during the game broadcast, Murphy said, “Oh, yeah, we would” honor a trade request by Rodgers.

Murphy said he’s still in discussions with Rodgers about their path forward. He acknowledged the team has given Rodgers permission to talk to the New York Jets. Jets leadership flew to California to meet with Rodgers on Tuesday.

“We’re really hopeful that we can reach a resolution that works for Aaron and for us,” Murphy said.

“It’s in everyone/s interests” for the saga to come to an end soon, he added. The unofficial start to free agency is Monday, with the signing period beginning on Wednesday.

Asked if there was a scenario in which Rodgers could return to Green Bay as the starting quarterback in 2023, Murphy said. “Yeah, if things don’t work out the way that we would want them. Yeah, he is obviously a great player. It’s trying to find what he wants and what we want. Hopefully we can find a win-win situation.”

Murphy said retirement remains an option for Rodgers but “he’s a competitor, too, and I know he wants to keep playing, all things considered.”

In 15 seasons as the starter, Rodgers led the Packers to the playoffs 11 times. One of the four failures came in 2022, when he suffered a broken thumb in Week 5 and Green Bay went only 8-9.

“He’s obviously a great player and four-time MVP,” Murphy said. “But I think it’s trying to find what he wants and what we want and hopefully we can find a win-win situation.

“I think things have been very professional. We’re very appreciative of what Aaron’s meant to the team and the organization and we want to be respectful and also help him achieve what he wants.”

Murphy took over as team president in December 2007. Shortly thereafter, Favre retired, only to unretire. Ultimately, he was traded to the Jets.

That opened the door for Rodgers. A similar resolution seems at hand, which will open the door for Jordan Love.

“We have a lot of confidence in him,” Murphy said. “We drafted him and developed him. A lot of credit goes to our coaches and to Jordan. We do think he’s ready.”