Aaron Rodgers can screw up his contract extension if he's not careful
It looks like Aaron Rodgers will play another season with the Green Bay Packers after another round of will-he-or-won't-he. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Rodgers and the Packers are working on a short-term extension that will make him the highest-paid player in the NFL. Rodgers shot down the report that the deal will be worth […]
It looks like Aaron Rodgers will play another season with the Green Bay Packers after another round of will-he-or-won't-he.
Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Rodgers and the Packers are working on a short-term extension that will make him the highest-paid player in the NFL. Rodgers shot down the report that the deal will be worth around $50 million per year. Either way, it sounds like progress is getting made.
It's especially interesting when including the fact that Rodgers turned down an extension last year. Last year's offer would've kept him in Green Bay for five more years. But that news came out during Rodgers' hold out. The situation was obviously a lot different, then.
The idea of Rodgers signing an extension in 2022 makes sense for the Packers. He's showing no signs of slowing down and is coming off another year in which he was named league MVP. Even if the deal does come out to $50 million per year, it's logical for the Packers to make the deal. Rodgers is one of the three, maybe four quarterbacks in the NFL that elevates the play of those around him. Therefore, you can get away with him taking up a ton of cap room.
Money and security are great for Rodgers, too. However, it goes to waste without a no-trade clause.
Right now, the Packers have the upper hand in this situation. Even if we are talking about Rodgers, who is one of the best quarterbacks of all-time. The Packers can send him anywhere without a no-trade clause in his contract. That's not ideal for a 38-year-old quarterback who's been open about not wanting to go through the rebuilding process.
If things go awry after this year and Rodgers wants out, there's nothing he can do but ask nicely for a trade to a desired locale or retire. The same goes for any year after 2022. It's doubtful that everything is simply rosy after last year, which leaves open the possibility for more friction down the road. You can argue that Rodgers has been looking out for himself over the last couple of years, but he really needs to make sure that he doesn't short himself, here.
It would be a mistake to sign an extension without an NTC. And Rodgers should know this.
But only time will tell if he does.
Featured image via- Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
