Rodgers hopes for contract extension
An offseason of change for the Packers has been met with occasional displeasure by quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
At the Super Bowl, Rodgers called it “interesting” that the Packers replaced quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt “without consulting me.” Also that week, he spoke of the possibility he might have to finish his career elsewhere, like predecessor Brett Favre.
In the wake of the Packers’ decision to release his close friend Jordy Nelson on March 13, Rodgers added “it’s pretty clear that players play and coaches coach and personnel people make decisions (and) that’s the way they want it.”
Rodgers took a more measured tone with reporters on Tuesday at Lambeau Field. On the first day of Green Bay’s offseason program, Yahoo Sports reported that sources close to Rodgers say the quarterback had grown “frustrated” by the team making such big moves without consulting him, and that the lack of input could factor into negotiations toward a contract extension.
“I know my role, and that’s to play quarterback the best that I can,” Rodgers said. “The team is going to try to put the right guys in place, the right coaches in place, the right players in place.”
The team and Rodgers will try to hammer out a contract extension. General manager Brian Gutekunst and Packers President Mark Murphy have said it’s a priority to extend Rodgers’ deal, set to expire after the 2019 season.
With Kirk Cousins (Minnesota), Jimmy Garoppolo (49ers), Drew Brees (New Orleans) and Alex Smith (Washington) signing big contracts in the offseason, Rodgers has fallen to ninth among quarterbacks with an average salary of $22 million.
Rodgers said “it’s never been about” becoming the highest-paid player in the league.
He wouldn’t say whether he and agent David Dunn would push for a fully guaranteed contract, like Cousins signed with the Vikings. Rather, Rodgers said the key will be structuring the deal that works for both parties under the constraints of the salary cap.
“I’m under contract for the next two years,” Rodgers said. “Obviously, we’d like to lock something in at some point. The team has made it public knowledge that they’d love to do that. I’ve said I’d love to finish my career here.” Center Mangold retires: Nick Mangold has made his final snap after 11 years of consistency, toughness and NFL-wide respect as one of the game’s best centers.
The former Jets lineman announced his retirement in a post on Twitter. He was selected to seven Pro Bowls and was twice a first-team All-Pro.
He said he will be signing a one-day deal with the team so he can retire as a Jet.
The Jets announced they will hold a news conference Tuesday to honor Mangold.
Mangold, 34, did not play last season after being released by New York in February 2017. He played in only eight games in 2016 because of ankle and foot injuries that landed him on the injured-reserve list for the final month. Ansah signs franchise tag: Ezekiel Ansah has signed his franchise tag, signaling his return to the Lions, the team announced. Detroit designated the defensive end from Ghana as its franchise player nearly two months ago. Browns’ owner quits as media CEO: Browns owner Dee Haslam has stepped down as the CEO of a media company to focus more on the team and doing community work in Cleveland.
Haslam announced she is relinquishing duties in running RIVR Media, a Tennessee-based company she cofounded 20 years ago.
She will remain as a partner and executive producer with the company. Haslam and her husband, Jimmy, bought the Browns in 2012.