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While there was some rumblings of discontent between Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, it appears it’s all water under the bridge now. Rodgers has reportedly agreed to a four-year extension that will break the current records of NFL contracts:
Packers and Aaron Rodgers are expected to complete their record-breaking extension by the end of the weekend, source tells ESPN. But the deal is expected to now be finalized and in place before the start of the regular season, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 29, 2018
Aaron Rodgers’ new deal is expected to be the largest in NFL history and will tie him to Green Bay for well beyond the two years on his contract and quite likely for the remainder of his career.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 29, 2018
While ESPN’s Adam Schefter doesn’t have the exact details, Rodgers’ former teammate (and now NFL Network analyst) James Jones has some contract specifics.
BREAKING The #Packers and 2-Time MVP QB @AaronRodgers12 have agreed to terms on a 4-year extension worth $33.5 million in new money...plus incentives per year...He gets over $100 million in guarantees.
— James Jones (@89JonesNTAF) August 29, 2018
It looks like Rodgers’ contract extension will break the current record of guaranteed money—$100 million ($94.5 at signing) set by Matt Ryan earlier this year.
NFL Network Ian Rapoport has further details and, surprise, it’s a lot of money:
The #Packers and QB Aaron Rodgers have agreed to terms on a 4-year extension worth $134M, source said. He gets more than $80M by March. A huge first year payout for their star
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 29, 2018
That averages out to $33.5 million a year for Rodgers, which is well above the previously highest-paid quarterback, Matt Ryan. Here was the previous top five before Rodgers’ contract. [Note: the $33.5 million figure actually takes place in two years. Rodgers signed an extension. There are still two years remaining on his former deal.]
- Matt Ryan: $30 million/year (2018)
- Kirk Cousins: $28 million/year (2018)
- Jimmy Garoppolo: $27.5 million/year (2018)
- Matthew Stafford: $27 milion/year (2017)
- Drew Brees: $25 million/year (2018)
- Derek Carr: $25 million/year (2017)
So that pushed Matthew Stafford down to the fifth-highest paid quarterback in the league, and, oddly, third in his own division.
Now I guess it’s time to hear all the Green Bay fans complain about how he hasn’t proven enough to warrant such a contract.