Aaron Rodgers, four-time NFL MVP, won’t rush into decisions about his playing future after the Green Bay Packers miss the playoffs.
The Packers lost 20-16 to the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
The Packers had rallied from a 4-8 record by winning four straight games to set up a win-win situation against the Lions.
But Rodgers and Green Bay failed to live up to their end of the bargain, with the 39-year-old throwing a fourth-quarter interception on their last drive after the Lions regained the lead with Jamaal Williams’ second TD.
Rodgers is under contract for next season, but given his age and public comment, retirement has been a constant topic of discussion. The quarterback chose not to be drawn to it immediately following the season-ending loss.
“It’s a little raw right now,” Rodgers told reporters.
“It’s just a bit after the game, so I want to take the emotion out of it and have the conversation and see where the organization is at and see how I feel after a while.
“At some point the carousel stops and it’s time to get off, and I think you kind of know when that is.
“That’s what to consider. Is this the time? And what is the organization doing? That’s part of it as well. But the fire of competition will always be there. I don’t think it will ever go away.”
Green Bay’s loss was littered with errors, including Rodgers’ interception, as well as an Aaron Jones fumble in the second quarter and the inexplicable ejection of Quay Walker in the fourth quarter for pushing a Lions doctor forward. Williams’ winning TD.
The Packers missed the playoffs for the first time under head coach Matt LaFleur, who said, “Obviously very disappointed right now.
“Having the opportunity to go to the playoffs at home and not being able to do it that way is hugely disappointing.
“I congratulate our dressing room and our guys for their ability to overcome adversity throughout the season.
“At the end of the day, we dug ourselves too big a hole and the margin of error in this league is so small, so if you don’t capitalize on opportunities and make mistakes, then you’re going to lose, especially against good ones. soccer teams.
“You have to give Detroit a ton of credit, they came here and beat us tonight. Definitely, like I said, [I am] extremely disappointed, but it’s going to be a big offseason for us obviously to make sure we all improve.
“We have to look inside to understand what we need to do to improve because the expectations here are very high and they should be. Really disappointed at the moment.”