The Packers Just Dropped a Major Hint About Aaron Rodgers’ Future by Backing Themselves Into a $46 Million Corner

Aaron Rodgers becomes the highest-paid player in NFL history on Monday when he signs a new 5-year extension with the Green Bay Packers worth a total of $134.75 million. With a $20 million signing bonus, the value of the deal is $66 million per year. Total guaranteed money: $116 million.

It’s not every day that we see an NFL team make a financial commitment to a future season, especially one that’s a year away. But that’s exactly what the Packers did, to the tune of $46 million, when they signed Rodgers to a new, $134 million contract in February. The sight of a football team handing out a blank check to its quarterback is unusual, but it’s a position the Packers have been in before. They paid Brett Favre an enormous sum to play his final season in Green Bay, and even more to stay put after 2006. In 2009, they signed linebacker Aaron Kampman to a $47 million contract.

The New York Jets are going to make a run at acquiring injured Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers for a second time. The Jets already have a bad quarterback situation. They drafted former first-round draft choice Geno Smith, who has been injured for most of his career, and Christian Hackenberg, who is far from a finished product.. Read more about aaron rodgers 49ers trade and let us know what you think.

Green Bay Packers fans should expect to see Aaron Rodgers in the starting lineup for at least another season. However, it’s unclear if the future Hall of Famer will continue to torment NFC North opponents for a livelihood beyond the 2021 season.

While it’s possible that their connection may continue longer than anticipated, the Packers have just painted themselves into a $46 million corner, implying that Rodgers’ future with the team is in jeopardy.

Green Bay is a strong Super Bowl candidate in 2021 because to Aaron Rodgers’ comeback.

The lads have returned.

In Green Bay, Randall Cobb will reunite with Aaron Rodgers.

+1200 for the Packers to win the Super Bowl. twitter.com/R0sOo7dveC

— July 28, 2021, Yahoo Sportsbook (@YahooSportsbook)

In three of the past five years, the Packers have come agonizingly close to making it to the Super Bowl. The squad, however, hasn’t been able to climb over the hump owing to a number of reasons. Following yet another devastating NFC Championship loss, Green Bay seemed to be on the verge of a dramatic reversal in 2021.

Then there was Tuesday.

Instead of having Jordan Love at the top of the quarterback depth chart at the start of training camp, the Packers had their undisputed leader back in the mix.

Rodgers’ return to work, of course, necessitated some significant sacrifices.

The Packers guaranteed that the reigning MVP’s services will be available for the 2021 season by altering his contract. Given the last several months, the prospect of a highly motivated Rodgers should give defensive coordinators nightmares. Based on the shear amount of talent they possess on both sides of the ball, the defending NFC North winners should be in the mix for the Lombardi Trophy barring any major injury problems.

However, just because Rodgers will be in his 17th season with the Packers doesn’t mean he should be regarded a shoe-in to end his career there.

In reality, by forcing themselves into a costly corner, the Packers just dropped a big clue regarding Rodgers’ future.

By forcing themselves into a $46 million corner, the Packers gave a big clue about their franchise quarterback’s future.

Aaron Rodgers speaks to a Packers staff member during training camp practice.

Aaron Rodgers speaks to a Packers staff member during training camp practice. Aaron Rodgers, the reigning NFL MVP and a long-time Green Bay Packers player, talks with a staff member during a training camp session. | Getty Images/Stacy Revere

To re-sign Rodgers, the front management had to make significant changes to the $134 million contract he signed before to the 2018 season. The Packers had to do all they could to persuade Rodgers to give it another go, given his worth and reputation as one of the best quarterbacks of all time.

On the positive side, his deal was restructured, which saved the club around $10 million. Rodgers will account for approximately $27.6 million of the $37.2 million salary cap in 2021, rather than $37.2 million. With Davante Adams reportedly seeking a record-breaking contract deal, the extra cap room may help the club keep the All-Pro receiver.

However, when it comes to Rodgers’ future with the team, the Packers have given away a big hint about what’s to come by making it almost difficult to retain him under the new conditions of his contract.

The 37-year-old quarterback has a cap hit of $46.14 million for the 2022 season, according to Sports Illustrated. Green Bay is expected to be $50 million above the salary limit, necessitating a Rodgers trade or extension. Unless the Packers are prepared to allow him use up almost a fourth of the team’s cap space, it’s safe to assume that in 2022, the quarterback will either play elsewhere or sign another contract that would significantly reduce that $46.1 million number.

So, although Green Bay seems to be a strong Super Bowl candidate this season, things may alter dramatically next spring. If the Packers continue to value Love, it wouldn’t be surprising if Rodgers is traded before the 2022 NFL Draft.

Trading Rodgers still seems to be the best option for all parties concerned.

In the end, moving probably the greatest quarterback in the NFL who isn’t called Patrick Mahomes is the best result for everyone concerned.

What is the reason behind this?

First and foremost, the Packers must give Love a chance to live up to his first-round reputation. It would be a waste of a first-round selection on a quarterback who would not play until his third season with the club. After all, the Packers might have chosen a wide receiver to assist Rodgers rather than a guy who would eventually replace him. The Packers should be ready to give the offense over to Love, who they moved up for in the 2020 draft, by the start of the 2022 offseason.

Furthermore, a change of scenery would allow Rodgers to avoid dealing with general manager Brian Gutekunst. Both guys would profit from a parting of ways since they clearly don’t agree on personnel choices.

Rodgers would have the opportunity to play for a brand-new team that would have every incentive to accommodate to his desires and requirements. Meanwhile, Gutekunst would not have to worry with the team’s boss criticizing or questioning him.

In addition, any trade featuring an all-time great would almost certainly net the Packers numerous first-round selections.

Isn’t that a win-win situation for everyone?

However, if Aaron Rodgers eventually takes the Lombardi Trophy back to Lambeau Field in 2022, the Packers may rethink their decision to go with an untested commodity.

Pro Football Reference provided all statistics. Spotrac provided all contract information.

Chandler Jones’ Cardinals career may be on the verge of ending, thanks in part to DeAndre Hopkins.

Aaron Rodgers has been the face of the Packers franchise for the past decade. But, now, it seems that the team may be thinking about moving on from Rodgers at the end of this year. The issue is that the Packers just locked up the largest contract in the NFL that doesn’t involve a quarterback, giving Aaron $134 million in guaranteed money for the 2018 season. This contract extension is so large that it would seem to indicate that Rodgers will have no leverage in negotiations next offseason, should the Packers decide to allow him to enter the free agent market.. Read more about 49ers news and let us know what you think.

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