Aaron Rodgers, still processing a stunning playoff defeat after an MVP-caliber season during which his vaccination status became a hotter topic than his quarterback rating, said Tuesday that he will decide by the end of February whether to retire or return for the 2022 season.
In his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers, 38, said the NFL's franchise tag period, which begins Feb. 22 and runs through March 8, will serve as a de facto deadline for whether he'll return for an 18th season.
Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers went 13-4 in 2021 and were the top seed in the NFC playoffs before the San Francisco 49ers upset them 13-10 on Saturday night at Lambeau Field, a game in which the Packers scored on the game's opening possession but never reached the end zone again.