Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers got himself a nice deal with his new contract. However, it’s not the exact deal that maybe he wanted.
Although he previously denied asking for an opt-out clause — or at least referred to it as conjecture — Rodgers admitted he asked for that on Thursday. He and his agent, David Dunn, also explored having Rodgers’ salary tied to a percentage of the salary cap.
Those were non-starters for the Packers.
“The number of players on the active roster and counting on the salary cap is definitely a hindrance to some of that stuff,” Rodgers said.
“There’s language in guaranteed contracts that needs to change in the next CBA in order for those to become more standard across the league or more opportunities for those. But there’s just not the movement in that area on franchise sides to want to do contracts that allow players to have more of the leverage that NBA players have. Instead, they would rather go traditional routes with the usual large signing bonuses prorated over the duration of the deal up to five years in order to minimize the cap hit in certain years. That’s the desired approach of teams, and there wasn’t a lot of wiggle room in that area.”
Clearly, that’s why these negotiations took so long. They began just after the season ended.
Ultimately, it appears Rodgers took a more traditional deal because he knew it was best for the team. He again referred to his relationship with the Packers as a partnership.
“As much as we were interested in the idea of a non-traditional, ultimately the most important thing is the Packers feel like this is a partnership and that I feel like it’s a partnership and we can get 19, 20 years and feel good about the relationship and the career that I had in Green Bay.”
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst admitted that the traditional type of contract structure is what’s best for the Packers.
“This was about the Green Bay Packers and our team,” Gutekunst said. “The rest of the league wasn’t something I was concerned about at all. This was what’s best for us. And like I said, I think (chief negotiator) Russ (Ball) looked at all the options, went down every road to kind of see what would be best for us and the player, and I think we came to an agreement. Like I said, I think that was the ultimate case. I think this was a really good deal for both sides.”
Rodgers’ contract now takes him through the season in which he’ll turn 40. He’s said before he wants to play until he’s 40 and mentioned that again on Thursday.
So you’re stuck with Aaron Rodgers for six more years and maybe more. And I expect nothing less than six straight championships.
Only one thing left to do. Trade for Khalil Mack. At first I was all for it, then I thought two first round picks and paying $20 million a year was going to be too high a price to pay. I have come around on it again though. This team’s window is now. Contrary to popular belief, this team does have a fair number of nice players. I would argue they are one superstar on defense away from being serious championship contenders. The time is now, these kind of defensive players don’t become available very often. The bigger the reward, the bigger the risks you have to take. This team dicked around too long waiting on draft and develop, was too conservative in nearly every face of the operation.
Kato’s right. Two number ones seems exorbitant, but I’m presuming both will be > 20. First round picks are a 50-50 proposition for success anyway, with that likely decreasing the later in the round you draft. Odds of getting a player like this are remote unless you have a top 5 choice. We know what Mack’s skills and production are- in contrast to a draft choice, he’s a known commodity. It really just comes down to $. Mathews and Cobb big money comes off at the end of the year. Gimme Mack for that. I am liking this idea the more I think about it. Unless Fackrell or Biegel get transfused with some LT DNA we have no future pass rush threats- and probably couldn’t even draft one with the picks in 2019. Carpe diem.
Yeah, I mean I know they are high on Reggie Gilbert, but do you want to count on him to force a big fumble late in a game in January? Not saying he can’t, just saying I want the known commodity. And hey, if Reggie Gilbert does indeed become a stud, then that’s all the better, they just have a deeper bench and the defense even better. Can never have enough quality pass rushers
Damn Kato…..where did you come from with all these righteous statements? Adding talent, adds depth. Having a fresh body come in on a 7,8 minute drive is priceless. Depth….something we had in 2010.
As far as the article. I’ll go out on a limb and say that Rodgers and his agent knew they had slim to zero chance of getting an opt out, or percentage escalators. But as in most negotiations, you have to “give up” something you want to make the other side feel like they got a win. The genius comes when, whatever you are giving up, means very little to you. Sometimes you invent “wants” to give them up.