Why do so many “insiders” get it wrong? This is a question many Packers fans have been asking over the last year. Immense drama surrounding Aaron Rodgers and the Packers organization has been the catalyst for countless rumors. Most have proven false, or at least partially so.
Packers fans are often loyal to a fault. While they’re waiting for updates on Rodgers, everything that comes out on the topic is dissected and examined under a social media microscope. This week has been no different.
Breaking News
With news breaking today that Rodgers is returning to Green Bay, more rumors emerged. Around 11:00 a.m. CT on Tuesday, Rodgers’ good friend Pat McAfee was among the first to announce that Rodgers will be back in Green Bay in 2022.
.@AaronRodgers12 reached aht to me this morning & let me know that he will OFFICIALLY be returning to the Green Bay Packers#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/AZ54GJCSbj
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 8, 2022
BREAKING: According to my sources.. @AaronRodgers12 will officially be returning to the Green Bay Packers.
There is no deal in place currently but there is said to be a Cap Friendly deal on the way.
Retirement was a real consideration & in the end
🗣 HE IS BACK WITH THE PACK pic.twitter.com/1lpdcLxyPL
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 8, 2022
RapSheet Chimed In
Ian Rapoport reported the news around the same time, but shared contract details from “sources.” Rapoport said the contract was a record-breaking four year, $200 million dollar deal. Such a contract would make Rodgers the highest-paid player in NFL history.
The #Packers and MVP QB Aaron Rodgers have agreed to terms on a 4-year, $200M deal that makes him the highest paid player in NFL history, sources say. He gets a whopping $153M guaranteed and his cap number goes down. A monstrous commitment by GB for years to come. 💰 💰 💰
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2022
Rapoport is one of the more trustworthy sources when it comes to NFL news. However, everyone knows that Rodgers is an intensely private person. It’s also no secret that he has a tight circle of people he trusts. Pat McAfee seems to be part of that circle. Rodgers is a Tuesday regular on the Pat McAfee show. He’s also very close to former Packers linebacker AJ Hawk, who is a daily participant on McAfee’s show.
Following the reports from Rapoport and others, McAfee was quick to dispute the claim that a contract agreement was in place.
Everybody in the take world is RUNNIN with the Aaron Rodgers $200M deal 😂😂#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/1MHdMnJXhd
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 8, 2022
There will be NO misinformation on this progrum.
There is no deal in place currently but there is said to be a cap friendly deal on the way for @AaronRodgers12#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/NyLMeywmqa
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 8, 2022
Breaking The Bank
Social media ran with the “news” that Rodgers had signed a $200 million contract. Knowing the Packers’ current cap situation, it didn’t make much sense. Even with the cap Tetris skills of Russ Ball, it was unlikely that such a deal would happen. Also, knowing that Davante Adams’ contract situation was likely a big factor in Rodgers’ decision, there had to be more to the story. McAfee had this to say:
Our "sources" told us that retirement was a real thought for @AaronRodgers12.. it will be a very cap friendly deal to make that Packers team the best it can possibly be#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/uSg7HbpcSp
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 8, 2022
While Rodgers’ privacy is a top priority, he’s also known to have a low tolerance for rumors and misinformation spread about him. A couple hours after the news broke that he was returning to Green Bay, Rodgers took to Twitter to clear up at least a little bit of the story:
Hey everyone, just wanted to clear some things up; YES I will be playing with the @packers next year, however, reports about me signing a contract are inaccurate, as are the supposed terms of the contract I “signed”. I’m very excited to be back 💪🏼 #year18❤️
— Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12) March 8, 2022
It Will All Be Clear Very Soon
All of these rumors will be cleared up soon enough. The 2022 league year begins at midnight (eastern) on March 17. With Adams now franchise tagged, the Packers are currently $44.5 million over the 2022 salary cap. More dominoes are yet to fall. Multiple players could be released, re-signed or restructured before the cap deadline next week.
The details of Rodgers’ agreement with Green Bay will be made public eventually. Until then, one thing is sure – Rodgers is returning to Green Bay. What does this mean to all those NFL “insiders?” They’ll all have plenty to talk and write about. For instance, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com can rest easy knowing that Rodgers will be in Green Bay, tormenting his purple soul for at least the foreseeable future.
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