Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Packer Plus
Rodgers, Packers commit to future
Green Bay — The Green Bay Packers are not going to have to dump their stockpile of Aaron Rodgers jerseys waiting to be purchased in their pro shop.
In fact, they probably need to stock up on more because Rodgers is coming back.
Rodgers and the Packers have agreed to terms on a reported four-year, $200 million deal that makes him the highestpaid player in NFL history, according to the NFL Network. He reportedly will get $153 million guaranteed.
Rodgers is expected to sign a contract extension that will lower his $46.1 million cap number and make it possible for the Packers to fit him in their budget.
The news was first reported by “The Pat McAfee Show” and the NFL Network.
McAfee said the contract numbers and terms had not been finalized but that it is a “cap-friendly” deal that will help the Packers retain other players.
The four-time MVP and future Hall of Famer needed some time to decide his future after the Packers blew home-field advantage and bowed out of the playoffs in the divisional round, but apparently the Packers convinced him he could make another run at a title.
It means his career in Green Bay will extend beyond 17 years, which is something that didn’t seem likely after a contentious 2021 offseason in which he criticized general manager Brian Gutekunst for freezing him out of personnel discussions and treating him like a lame-duck quarterback.
But as the Packers’ 13-4 season wore on, he was more complimentary of Gutekunst and after receiving his fourth MVP at the NFL Honors ceremony in early February, he spoke favorably of the way Gutekunst and others changed their approach.
He said at the time he would step away and make a decision whether to retire or continue playing, either in Green Bay or somewhere else.
Coach Matt LaFleur said after the season the Packers would do everything they could to get him to return and among the most significant was bringing back Rodgers’ former quarterback coach Tom Clements. LaFleur and Clements have no connections but after losing two of Rodgers’ favorite coaches, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and quarterbacks coach Luke Getsy, he brought back Rodgers’ first quarterbacks coach and mentor.
The challenge facing the Packers now is how to get under the salary cap. They started the offseason more than $50 million over and while they’ll get relief from the deal Rodgers receives, they still must figure out a way how to re-sign free agent receiver Davante Adams and make competitive offers to linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, cornerback Rasul Douglas, receiver Marquez ValdesScantling, receiver Allen Lazard and others.
It also means the Packers may be looking to trade backup quarterback Jordan Love since he will be eligible for free agency in two years if the Packers don’t execute an expensive fifth-year option. If their plan is for Rodgers to play two more years, then they may decide to keep Love.