Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Rodgers still needs to decide if he wants to return to the Packers but Green Bay is looking to reward him greatly if he does come back.
Aaron Rodgers can expect to be the highest-paid player in the NFL in 2022 if he stays with the Packers.
That’s the word from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network on Monday, reporting about ongoing talks between Rodgers and the team as he continues to mull over his future.
“Behind the scenes, I’m told that the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers representation are working on a deal. Nothing is done but they are having discussions,” Rapoport said.
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are discussing a new contract
The question is whether or not Rodgers will tell Green Bay he actually sees a future with them. He could ask to be traded or he could retire. The Packers aren’t waiting to set themselves up for whatever happens.
“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,” Rapoport continued.
The contract would be a short-term deal. It would also certainly make the MVP the highest-paid player in the league.
Right now, Spotrac has Josh Allen bringing in almost $47 million as the NFL player making the most total cash per year. Kirk Cousins has the highest base salary at $35 million.
By comparison, Rodgers has a base salary of $26 million with a total take-home of $27.4 million. He ranks seventh in the NFL in that measure.
So Rodgers playing football in Green Bay in 2022 could mean a pay raise of $20 million per year.
Maybe that’s not enough incentive for him to stick it out with the Packers, but it’s a pretty good reward for staying. Either way, a decision could be coming very soon if one NFL insider is to be believed.