While we were all focused on the NFL Draft, the Green Bay
Packers quietly signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a five-year contract
extension. Well, at least as quietly as you can when you’re making someone the
highest-paid player in NFL history.
Rodgers new deal with the Packers is for $110 million over
five years, shattering the six-year, $120.6 million deal that made Baltimore
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco the highest-paid player for a short period of
time. The agreement is worth $62 million guaranteed, and Rodgers will make $40
million in the first year.
After the news of the deal broke, Rodgers expressed his thankfulness
to the Packers.
"I'm very thankful to the organization for making this happen," Rodgers said Friday on NFL Network. "I'm excited about the opportunity they've given me to finish out my career in Green Bay -- seven more years left on my deal -- and excited about the prospects we have here in Green Bay."
While Rodgers can now be known as the highest-paid player in
NFL history, his deal is also rather team-friendly for the Packers. The QB will
never count for more than $21 million against the cap in any year of his new
contract. This is a drastic difference when you look at Flacco’s deal – which carries
with it a maximum salary hit of $29 million.
With linebacker Clay Matthews and Rodgers now under
contract, the Packers expect to turn their attention to defensive tackle B.J.
Raji.
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