As quarterback Aaron Rodgers weighs his future, the Green Bay Packers could reportedly be planning to offer him a new contract extension to convince him to stick around for the 2022 season and beyond.
Rodgers, the reigning NFL MVP, admitted after the Divisional Round that he is uncertain about his future. Retirement or demanding a trade is on the table, but the 38-year-old quarterback is also open to a return. Now that his relationship with the organization is in a better place, Green Bay would seemingly have a realistic shot at keeping him.
But Green Bay knows there are no guarantees. Rodgers’ contract expires after the 2022 season and plenty of other NFL teams would love to trade for him now then reward him with a huge contract. Knowing that, it seems the Packers’ front office could be planning an offer to sell Rodgers on staying in Green Bay.
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According to NFL insider Benjamin Allbright, there is word around the NFL that the Packers are trying to offer Rodgers a “monster deal” that would keep their quarterback in town for multiple seasons.
- Aaron Rodgers stats (2021): 4,115 passing yards, 37 passing touchdowns, 111.9 QB rating, 68.9% completion rate
Green Bay agreed to restructure his current last offseason, allowing him to become a free agent in 2023. But if he wants to still play in the NFL for at least three more years, the Packers could submit an offer that made it clear they will let him end his career how he wants.
Projecting an Aaron Rodgers contract extension
When examining the highest paid NFL players, it’s starting to see how far down the list Rodgers is among quarterbacks. If he returned under his current deal in 2022, Rodgers’ base salary ranks behind Kirk Cousins ($35 million) and Ryan Tannehill ($29 million). Even wilder, the annual average value matches Jared Goff ($33.5 million).
12 highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL
Assuming he wants to keep playing football, which he can do at a high level, Rodgers earned the right to receive more compensation. A contract extension would also be extremely beneficial for the Packers, significantly lowering his $46.664 million cap hit in 2022.
Green Bay should be willing to offer Rodgers a multi-year extension worth $45-plus million per season. In terms of a total contract value, that would look like a two-year contract worth approximately $90 million. If he is willing to play even longer, a three-year extension totaling $120 million is plausible.
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Rodgers could surpass Patrick Mahomes for the highest AAV in NFL history and the total guarantees on his contract would also be among the highest ever. A new deal then allows Green Bay to spread his cap out through 2023, even longer if void years are included.
If that’s what Aaron Rodgers wants, Green Bay will make it happen. It would likely result in a Jordan Love trade, but that’s justified if it means one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history ends his career with the Packers.