Aaron Rodgers reportedly agreed to a four-year, $200 million contract with the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday to become the highest-paid player in NFL history.
FanDuel’s Pat McAfee said the financial terms of the deal aren’t accurate but confirmed through “sources” — he’s a friend of Rodgers, who is a frequent guest on McAfee’s podcast — that Rodgers agreed to return to Green Bay on a “cap friendly” deal. NFL Network reported Rodgers will receive a record $153 million guaranteed on a new deal that reduces his cap figure from his scheduled $46 million hit on the Packers’ 2022 ledger.
The clock is still ticking for wide receiver Davante Adams, who is expected to be designated the team’s franchise player for 2022 while the Packers sort out a messy salary cap situation.
Rodgers, 38, was named MVP in February, claiming the honor for the second consecutive season.
Rodgers and the Packers mapped this climactic decision day as a step forward last offseason, when the level of acrimony between general manager Brian Gutekunst and Rodgers became apparent before the 2021 draft.
Gutekunst said in February the team placed “no deadlines” on Rodgers and would work to build a roster ready to compete for a Super Bowl. Gutekunst said the Packers “absolutely” want Rodgers back for his 18th season with the franchise.
In a May 2021 interview, Rodgers openly questioned the franchise’s loyalty, confessed he was bothered by the team drafting quarterback Jordan Love in the first round in 2020 when the roster had other needs, and came clean about his disdain for decisions to let veterans leave in free agency.
BREAKING: According to my sources.. @AaronRodgers12 will officially be returning to the Green Bay Packers. There is no deal in place currently but there is said to be a Cap Friendly deal on the way. Retirement was a real consideration & in the end 🗣 HE IS BACK WITH THE PACK pic.twitter.com/1lpdcLxyPL — 🅿️at McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 8, 2022
BREAKING: According to my sources.. @AaronRodgers12 will officially be returning to the Green Bay Packers.
There is no deal in place currently but there is said to be a Cap Friendly deal on the way.
Retirement was a real consideration & in the end
🗣 HE IS BACK WITH THE PACK pic.twitter.com/1lpdcLxyPL
— 🅿️at McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 8, 2022
But a restructured contract and the idea that the 2021 season was set up as a potential “last dance” helped Rodgers and the front office find improved harmony.
He was heavily involved in discussions about personnel, including the Packers trading for wide receiver Randall Cobb. When offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett became head coach of the Denver Broncos, Gutekunst and Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur looped in Rodgers on the call to hire Tom Clements as the quarterbacks coach.
–Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)
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