Although the Packers and Aaron Rodgers did not come to terms on an extension agreement by the outset of training camp, neither side viewed that as a key deadline, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (video link). However, optimism exists in Green Bay about this deal being completed before the regular season and perhaps by the middle of camp, per Rapoport.
Rodgers is still believed to prefer a contract that doesn’t lock him into a number long-term, but the Packers are approaching the negotiations that way, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports. The two-time MVP would like more control over his future and may prefer a deal that includes one big payout before a series of player options.
Florio, though, notes the Packers are trying to get Rodgers locked down via “bland and traditional” long-term extension. It’s hard to blame the team for this, since that’s pretty much how NFL contracts work, but the disparity regarding the parties’ preferences on contract structure is halting these talks’ progress.
Rodgers obviously saw how outdated his $22MM-per-year extension, which was a record when he signed it in April 2013, became. A contract that doesn’t tie Rodgers to the Packers for a substantial number of years would help prevent this from happening again.
A holdout won’t be in the cards for Rodgers, though Florio argues that should be a tactic he considers due to his value to the franchise. The ability chasm between backups DeShone Kizer and Brett Hundley and Rodgers is obviously gargantuan.
In a sign that perhaps Rodgers could win out, Rapoport does not expect the 34-year-old quarterback’s next Packers deal to look like Matt Ryan‘s Falcons pact — a five-year, $150MM deal which currently leads the quarterback pack. Rodgers has two years left on his deal, but given his importance to the franchise, it’s obvious he has plenty of leverage here as well.
I don’t understand why the packers would even be working hard to get this done. He wants 4 years 35 mil a year, and the ability to opt out at 2 years. They are paying him much less the next two years and can franchise him til he’s 39. If the packers lose him in his year 40 season, so be it! Lol
I agree. He has no leverage outside of a holdout. He’s important to the franchise, yes (and even that may be an understatatement), but the packers have him under contract and can franchise him in his late 30s if needed… If I was an agent, I would start telling clients that short term guaranteed contracts are the way to go. Rather than seeking a LT deal. It goes against the conventional thinking, but Julio and ARod are two examples of out dated markets and over performance vs the contract amount.
So presumably after 2 years, he will head down the Brett Favre trail to New York and make the Jets champions. I’m really looking forward to seeing that.
You do know you might find a team who’s willing to part with 2 1st rounds picks to get a HOF QB.
Exclusive rights franchise tag Rodgers. If you don’t understand what that means, look it up. Has nothing to do with other teams draft picks
If I was Rodgers and the Pack did that, I wouldn’t sign the contract until week 5 the first year and fuck them the second year. Would be funny to watch the Pack scramble to field a team when their star player is doing the right thing and screw them back. Pissing off the best QB in the game isn’t a good idea and it’s not like Rodgers needs the money. It goes both ways. There’s going to be a walkout before so who knows if there’s even a season when his contract is over.
There is a reasonable chance that Tony Romo will end up in the HOF and I didn’t see anyone offering the Cowboys 2 1st round picks for him. Having a HOF QB is only an asset if the guy can stay healthy.
Comparing Rodger to Romo is just insane Romo ain’t on Rodgers level and I’m a cowboys fan. Aaron has shown he can win in clutch unlike Romo. That was Romo problem he is great an just not elite cause of his mistakes.
I didn’t make any comparison other than stating it’s a possibility they both end up in the HOF. Jerry Jones has been inducted and we know he will use whatever influence he has to lobby for Tony.
Florio is a fountain of misinformation and fake news. His speculation is laughably illogical most of the time.
Teams have players take pay cuts when they don’t perform, so why shouldn’t they pay more when a player is vastly outperforming his contract? People claim no leverage, but do you think a disgruntled QB is leading you to a championship? If you’re the best at what you do, you should never settle.
I 2nd that Dodge! you have the best QB in the world and are a bottom 10 team without him. Give him what he wants and move along
Except, Brady is in NE. Not Green Bay.
Funny he is sooo good but only 1 ring. I get the talent around him but what the first few years at 22 million wasn’t that a lot then. Another example of the greedy in Pro Sports
He’s REALLY a FREE AGENT, now anyway due to his two trips to the IR last season, although due to his elite status both the team and the league have successfully thrown a SNOW JOB over the entire matter.