After the Green Bay Packers lost to the San Francisco 49ers, Aaron Rodgers said many things. Among those things was that he was not going to take very long to make a decision on his future in 2022. He also stated that he has no desire to be part of a rebuild. In a recent tweet and article by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, fans learned just how far the Packers are willing to go to bring the back-to-back MVP back next season.
The relationship between QB Aaron Rodgers & the #Packers is in as good a spot as it has been in a long time, leading to optimism and hope that he will choose to return. GB is willing to do what is necessary contract-wise to make it happen.
My story: https://t.co/yhjvRIEMvx
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 13, 2022
The Shocking Salary
According to Rapoport, the Green Bay Packers are ready and willing to give Aaron Rodgers a contract that would make him the highest paid quarterback in the NFL (on a per year basis). The number that Rapoport gave was a two-year deal paying $45 million annually. In order to make this deal work into the 2022 salary cap, the team would likely add void years at the end of the deal.
Are the Packers Going All In?
Many fans, and maybe even some players, believed that 2021 was the Last Dance in Green Bay. However, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Packers are looking at 2022 as the year they go “all in” for Aaron Rodgers.
Packers are prepared to go all in for Aaron Rodgers in 2022, spending as close to the cap this year and spreading it into future years as much as possible, per sources. Saints used this approach for Drew Brees and Green Bay willing to deploy that model to further entice Rogers.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 13, 2022
The Green Bay Packers are close to $50 million over the salary cap for next season already. In addition, it has been reported that they are willing to franchise tag Davante Adams. If the organization gives Aaron Rodgers $45 million per year and tags Adams, it is hard for anyone outside of the front office to see where the money is going to come from. However, head coach Matt LaFleur, in a press conference following the season, stated that there is a plan to bring back all of the players they want to come back. He also stated that the plan will also get the team under the salary cap.
It’s Green Bay or Retirement for Aaron Rodgers
As Jeremy Fowler recently reported, the Green Bay Packers have never considered trading Aaron Rodgers. As Rapoport tweeted and Rodgers has stated himself, the relationship between the front office and quarterback has never been better. For that reason, sources are claiming that Rodgers is not contemplating a trade. Instead, he is choosing between returning to the Packers or retirement.
According to a league source, Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers is not expected to request a trade, and is deciding to either retire or come back to GB.
— NFL Talk (@NFL_Talk_Sports) February 13, 2022
The Packers and their fans will not have to wait long. Aaron Rodgers has set a date for his decision, which he will announce in Indianapolis on The Pat McAfee Show.
The Reaction of Fans on Social Media to the Salary Number
Everyone knows that the Green Bay Packers are in a bind when it comes to the 2022 salary cap. Therefore, the news that the Packers were willing to give Aaron Rodgers $45 million per year was quite a divisive story. Here are just a few of the reactions around social media:
I don't know who needs to hear this, but the drafting of Jordan Love can only be viewed through the lens of the facts at the time.
No one, even Aaron Rodgers' biggest fans, predicted he'd be a back-to-back MVP after the 15-19 stretch.
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) February 13, 2022
Retirement must be a very real option because I don’t see any reason why Aaron Rodgers wouldn’t come back at this point.
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) February 13, 2022
If it’s in a great spot ask him to take a team friendly deal. Tell him it’s rooted in happiness and personal growth. https://t.co/rWND7rPGvj
— Dusty (@DustyEvely) February 13, 2022
Have the Packers ever said, as they did last year: "We're not trading Aaron Rodgers?"
That will mean a lot more than "We're prepared to pay him a lot."— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) February 13, 2022
Mortgage the future for the present. Eventually caught up with the Saints and… didn’t pay off. https://t.co/Fli6EVyviP
— Jeremy Reisman (@DetroitOnLion) February 13, 2022
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