NFL legend Steve Young and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady discussed Aaron Rodgers and the possibility of the Green Bay Packers star retiring before the start of the 2023 season.
Young appeared on the latest edition of «Let’s Go!» podcast and got a little serious talking about what Rodgers is really contemplating when he decides to put the pads back on for another year.
«What you’re looking at is, in my mind, a death,» Young explained. «And who chooses death?… Because when you’re the best at something in the world and then you leave the game and the next day you’re not the best at something in the world and you find out, you know what, I’m actually not even good at anything something else… So you end up wanting so badly to go back to what you were great at. Not because you want the adulation and people telling you you’re great, like there’s something you’re great at. And as a human being you don’t want [‘suck’ Brady said] and that is my highest and best use.»
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Steve Young looks on before a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on January 7, 2023 in Las Vegas.
(Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
Young, who played in the NFL from 1985 to 1999, said Rodgers is making a very difficult decision.
«What [Rodgers] It’s a really hard thing to contemplate, and people have no idea: to have been there and feel that and have to deal with it,» said the former San Francisco 49ers star. «I always tell people, ‘The next day you are at the bottom of a cliff in a broken bag of bones. And then you have to stand up and start doing something different. But it will never be the same.
«It’s never going to be that all-encompassing, every part of you spilling out every week. There’s nothing like it. And that’s why Aaron is sitting in that spot, looking over the cliff and saying, ‘I don’t want to fall off.’ over there. I don’t want to go there. I do not want.’ and that’s really [how I] feel it viscerally today».
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, #12, and Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb, #18, walk off the field after a game between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions in Lambeau Field on January 8, 2023 in Green Bay. , Wisconsin.
(Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Brady agreed about the emotions behind a big decision like retirement.
«Those are absolutely legitimate feelings and emotions,» Brady said. «And I think the most important thing is the day after the season, and I made this mistake, it’s not deciding the future.»
The possibility of retirement has haunted Rodgers all season. However, speculation started again on Sunday after the Packers lost to the Detroit Lions and were eliminated from the playoffs.
Lions rookie Jameson Williams asked to trade jerseys with Rodgers, but the veteran NFL star said he’s «going to keep this one.»
Rodgers explained his thinking at the post-game press conference.
«Do I feel like I have something left to prove to myself?» he said, via ESPN. «Do I want to go back and prepare for another grind? Or is it time? Is it time to step away? Is it time for another voice to lead this team?»
Aaron Rodgers, number 12 of the Green Bay Packers, warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on January 8, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Patricio McDermott/Getty Images)
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«I think I need to step back and look at those things. They’re real to me. I’m very proud of what I’ve accomplished in this league, but I’m also realistic and I understand where we are.» as a team. We are a young team; there could be some changes with some of the older guys, and it might be time to step away. But I could take some time and say no man I need to get back out there and run again. But I’ll have to see how he feels once he’s away from that.»