Quarterback Aaron Rodgers will return to the Green Bay Packers next season and beyond. He has agreed to a four-year, $200 million extension with the team on Tuesday. This contract makes Rodgers the highest paid NFL player of all times.
According to sources, Rodgers will receive $153 million guaranteed as part of the new deal. He will reportedly receive $50 million per year.
The contract comes as somewhat of a surprise because Rodgers spent last season feuding with the organization. Speculations surfaced before the 2021 season, suggesting that he had grown frustrated with Green Bay’s front office and wanted to leave at the end of the 2021 season. Rodgers restructured his contract to make it easier for him to do so. It was assumed that he would accomplish that by requesting a trade, but he reportedly opted to stay.
Rodgers gave ‘Packer Nation’ glimpses of hope throughout the 2021 campaign. There were reports that he was communicating more effectively with general manager Brian Gutekunst. Rodgers confirmed this on “The Pat McAfee Show’ on January 25.
“I feel like I’m at the place relationally with the Packers — in a really good place, especially with Brian and the way our friendship and trust has grown,” Rodgers said Jan. 25 on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “Brian and I have had good conversations throughout the year, and when it comes time to make a decision, we’ll have a conversation and that’ll be that. It won’t be a long, drawn-out process. “
It seemed at that time he would at least sign on for another season. Well, he did more than that, agreeing to a massive deal, which should keep him with the Packers for the rest of his career.
This decision means quarterback Jordan Love, who is entering his third season, will have to wait at least another year before being able to compete for the starting job, just like Rodgers had to do for three seasons, backing up Brett Farve.
With Rodgers back in the fold, the Packers remain a Super Bowl contender. He is coming off his second straight MVP season and continues to produce at a supreme level. Last season, Rodgers broke Favre’s franchise record of 442 career touchdown passes, finishing the season with 449. Depending on how much longer he plays, Rodgers has a chance to break several of Favre’s other records — including career passing yards. He has shown no signs of decline, despite his advanced age of 38.
Rodgers decision will make other dominoes fall in the organization, such as free agent Devante Adams. His return could influence Adams’ decision. Rodgers return reportedly frees up enough cap space that the Packers can place the franchise tag on Adams before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline, which reportedly is what the Packers are expected to do. In addition to Adams, receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown are unrestricted free agents, as is tight end Robert Tonyan Jr. Allen Lazard is a restricted free agent.
Rogers has been with the Packers since 2005. When he decides to retire, he will be a first ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer.
