The Packers are preparing for a future where Aaron Rodgers is their quarterback. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter), the organization and Rodgers’ representatives have been working on a new contract should the QB stick around Green Bay.
sSpecifically, the two sides are eyeing a short-term deal that would make Rodgers the NFL’s highest-paid player on a per-year basis. Patrick Mahomes currently leads the NFL with a $45MM AAV. Rodgers ranks seventh at $33.5MM.
“Nothing is done, but they are having discussions,” Rapoport said (via NFL.com’s Michael Baca). “They are having negotiations to have a deal, hopefully for them, ready to go if and when Aaron Rodgers firmly and finally decides that he wants to return.”
There are some similarities here to 2018, when the Packers had to pony up a record-breaking deal to keep Rodgers with the Packers. We heard recently that Rodgers was seeking a contract that would pay him $50MM per season, although the QB quickly shot down those rumors. While this would be a monster number and represent a seismic increase in quarterback salaries over the past two years, Rodgers is now negotiating with back-to-back MVPs on his resume.
Of course, there’s still one obvious wrinkle interfering with the negotiations. Rodgers has not informed the Packers he wants to stay in Green Bay, and multiple teams have reportedly sent the Packers trade offers. Rodgers does intend to inform the Pack of his decision soon,