Aaron Rodgers Is Doing Aaron Rodgers Things Again
For the third consecutive offseason, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will decide “what he’s going to do” about his playing future in suspenseful fashion. It started in 2021 when Rodgers reportedly wanted a trade out of Wisconsin but later changed his mind — and won an MVP award later that year.
Rodgers “did it again” last year, sans the trade request, and waffled about his future after losing at home to the San Francisco 49ers in the 2022 postseason. He ultimately returned, and the Packers missed the playoffs this year, finishing in third place inside the NFC North.
Aaron Rodgers Is Doing Aaron Rodgers Things Again
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Now, he’s back at it.
Packers fans aren’t sure if Rodgers will return in 2023, get traded to a team like the Las Vegas Raiders, or retire. Along with his topsy-turvy decision-making process, Rodgers has enacted some unique therapeutic measures. This year is no different, as Rodgers is embarking on a “darkness isolation tour” to aid his choice about 2023 football.
The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov tweeted Tuesday that Rodgers is “going on a ‘darkness retreat’ in a couple of weeks. It’s 4 days, complete darkness, just himself, in a little house.”
And Rodgers personally told The Pat McAfee Show about the activity, “I’m still in the art of contemplation about my future. After my isolation retreat, I’ll be ready to make a decision.”
Rodgers has a recent history of fascinating techniques used in the offseason for relaxation and decompression. Last summer, he evidently dabbled in psychedelics, using ayahuasca for his mental health, He said about the substance last August, “We talk so much about mental health, and to me, one of the core tenants of your mental health is self-love. That’s what ayahuasca did for me. It helped me see how to unconditionally love myself. It’s only in that unconditional self love that I’m truly able to unconditionally love others.”
He elaborated on his journey further, “I started deep on a journey where ayahuasca is usually described as a grandmother spirit, and I met her and walked with her through past, present and future lives, and it was the most beautiful experience I could possibly imagine.”
On the upcoming darkness isolation retreat, Meirov from The 33rd Team provided more details, “Rodgers says there are two slots where food is dropped in. If someone can’t handle the four days, they’re allowed to leave. No music. No one else inside. Just you in the darkness and your thoughts.”
A few months ago, Rodgers’ former teammate DeShone Kizer described other interesting patterns of Rodgers’ behavior. Kizer spoke about one of his first encounters with Rodgers, “He shut the door, and the first thing that came out of Aaron Rodgers’ mouth was like Do you believe in 9/11?“
Kizer responded yes, and Rodgers allegedly replied, “You should read up on that.”
No matter what happens with Rodgers’ darkness isolation retreat, the Packers will have to make a choice about quarterback Jordan Love, who enters Year No. 4 of his career in September. Love will either play QB2 to Rodgers in 2023, start at QB1 if Rodgers leaves, or request a trade if Rodgers returns.
Rodgers will turn 40 in November.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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