While nothing is inked yet, the back-to-back NFL MVP has announced he will be returning to the Green Bay Packers. And to nobody’s surprise, Aaron Rodgers is not going to be seeing a $50M per year deal, as ESPN reported it to be. Instead, Pat McAfee has reported it will be a “cap-friendly deal.”
Yes, ESPN and others have immediately reported the extension is for $200M over four years. To which, McAfee immediately called them out on the inaccuracy.
Aaron Rodgers to Return to the Packers
As we discussed yesterday, Aaron Rodgers’ decision to return to Green Bay was not about money. So, when the Packers leak that they are willing to make him the highest-paid quarterback, it was an irrelevant report. It was a leaked report to protect them from any backlash they could receive if Rodgers decided to play elsewhere.
Instead, this decision was simply about having a team that is set up to win past 2022. The biggest piece for that is signing Davante Adams to an extension instead of letting him play on the franchise tag. So, while Adams will almost definitely get the franchise tag today, look for him to sign an extension this season, possibly before playing a snap. Aaron Rodgers and Adams must feel good about where talks are, and there may be a handshake deal in place.
So, What Now?
Yes, that’s the question. Aaron Rodgers currently has a 2022 cap hit of over $40M this season. Look for the extension to bring this number down about $10M. We will see Adams get the franchise tag today. We will also see Randall Cobb re-work his contract instead of being a cap casualty altogether this offseason.
Speaking of cap casualty, goodbye Za’Darius Smith! His contract is one that makes zero sense to keep on the books, especially following a season where he was absent for nearly the entire thing.
The Packers are now set up to get under the cap pretty easily, despite it looking bleak early on. Now, they must find the money to sign free agents.
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