Aaron Rodgers: 'Ridiculous' to Say Tom Brady, J.J. Watt Retirements Impact My Future

Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers told the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday that he is contemplating retirement this offseason, but he won't be affected by the retirements of Tom Brady or J.J. Watt:

Brady and Watt will be surefire Hall of Famers when eligible in the class of 2028, although that doesn't factor into Rodgers' decision.

"The idea I wouldn't want to share a stage with Tom and J.J. Watt I think is ridiculous," Rodgers said. "That's already going to be an incredible Hall of Fame class; it's not even in the thought process."

"Their decisions don't impact my own decision," the quarterback added. "It doesn't make me want to come back so I could have my own stage or whatever. That's just not how I think."

With four MVP awards and a Super Bowl title on his resume, Rodgers will also likely be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when he's eligible.

The 39-year-old has still been playing at a high level late in his career, earning back-to-back MVP awards in 2020-21 when he led the NFL in passer rating each season. It was enough to earn a three-year contract extension that made him the highest-paid player in league history at $50.3 million per year.

Rodgers struggled in 2022, however, with his 91.1 passer rating being the lowest of his 15 years as an NFL starter. He totaled 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions after throwing just nine interceptions over the previous two years combined.

The Packers also went from the No. 1 seed in the NFC at 13-4 in 2021 to just 8-9 without a playoff appearance in 2022.

It's enough for Rodgers to contemplate his future, confirming Tuesday on the Pat McAfee Show that retirement a real option for him.

If he does step away this year, it would create one of the greatest Hall of Fame classes of all time. Brady is considered the GOAT himself with seven Super Bowl rings, while Watt was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year before injuries slowed him down.

Rodgers can decide to join this duo or be the star of his own ceremony down the line.