RODGERS ACCEPTS PRESSURE
Packers QB knows contract brings scrutiny
GREEN B AY, WIS. Eddie Lacy came out of the nation’s best college football program at Alabama and made his mark in the premier Southeastern Conference. You’d think the Green Bay Packers rookie running back would have seen his share of knockout talent.
Yet he was awestruck the first time he practiced with Aaron Rodgers.
“My first impression was more of a fan’s reaction,” Lacy told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday after an organized team activity session. “I’m in the huddle with him, and I’m thinking, ‘This is Aaron Rodgers.’ ”
That made the sharpshooting quarterback chuckle. He can’t forget where he came from; his NFL narrative is stocked with a Super Bowl crown, league MVP honors and Brett Favre but is not complete without the chapter on the humiliation of his draft-day plummet eight years ago, when he went from the potential No. 1 pick all the way to 24th overall.
“That gives you a good perspective on how things can change,” Rodgers told USA TODAY Sports. “Getting called ‘sir’ by some of these young guys is kind of silly, too. I’m not even 30 yet. Let’s relax on the ‘sir’ part, OK? But I appreciate the respect.”
If Lacy can get so excited, imagine how some banker must feel.
Rodgers, 29, is the highest-paid player in NFL history, thanks to the five-year, $110 million contract extension struck on draft weekend that included a $35 million signing bonus.
Mulling that deal, Rodgers, of course, remembers his draft night and sees the irony.
“Sometimes,” he says, “you wish you can go back and tell that 21-yearold, ‘Everything ’s going to be OK. Things will work out when you get an opportunity.’ ”
Rodgers has something else fueling him now. After winning Super Bowl XLV, the Packers were eliminated in the second round of the last two postseasons.
They are certainly contenders, especially with Rodgers joining Tom Brady and Peyton Manning as the league’s best quarterbacks. But according to the oddsmakers (and many analysts), the San Francisco 49ers — balanced, complete and with a good mix of youth and experience — are the team to beat in the NFC.
And if the 49ers fail to reach Super Bowl XLVIII, then the Seattle Seahawks might get the nod.
The Packers’ question marks include the defense and offensive line.
“I love it when people are not talking about us,” Rodgers said. “It’s good for us. We’re a small-market team with a blue-collar, community attitude. We enjoy it when people are
“I know I’m going to be scrutinized as hard as possible.” Aaron Rodgers, on being the NFL’s highest-paid player
talking about other teams and we can skate under the radar.”
Then Rodgers stops, shakes his head and grins. He knows that even in tiny Green Bay there’s no escape from the 365-day NFL radar.
“In reality, that doesn’t happen anymore in this day and age,” he says. And the contract adds a twist. “I know I’m going to be scrutinized as hard as possible,” he says.
Still, Rodgers wants to carry the pressure. He insists the new deal won’t ratchet up the heat because his will to win can’t get any greater.
Then again, maybe the real pressure will rest with the brain trust, led by general manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy, to supply, develop and keep talent around the star quarterback.
One of the flip factors with signing quarterbacks to record deals is the salary-cap squeeze. Brady can vouch for that; he restructured his contract with below-market numbers for his extended years to provide cap relief.
With the rookie wage scale, the 49ers and Seahawks have a cap bonus in that Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson can’t break the bank yet, allowing their teams to stock up on the supporting cast.
Rodgers’ deal isn’t an issue now for the Packers’ cap. He counts $12 million this year, before the figure jumps to nearly $18 million in 2014, with gradual increases from there.
Although star linebacker Clay Matthews is locked up, too, after signing a five-year, $66 million extension, other issues loom.
Nose tackle B.J. Raji, who told reporters Tuesday that he wanted to remain a Packer, is entering the final year of his contract. Receiver James Jones, defensive tackle Ryan Pickett and cornerback Sam Shields are also heading into their contract years.
Rodgers can’t control what happens contract-wise for his teammates but seems dead-set on living up to his mega deal.
He said, “I think that’s a responsibility, being paid the way I’m paid.”