It’s everyone’s favorite subject again — Aaron Rodgers’ forthcoming contract extension. Or supposed forthcoming contract extension.
We’ve been hearing about it all offseason and as early as February, yet nothing has gotten done. With two years left on his current deal, Rodgers doesn’t currently hold the leverage. That’s likely the holdup.
Rodgers talked a bit about the situation on Wilde and Tausch, on Monday. He called his relationship with the Green Bay Packers a partnership and went on to say he doesn’t think the team “would want to nickel and dime me, and I’m not trying to screw them.”
That’s good to know. The deal will still probably make Rodgers the highest-paid player in the league. We’re sure the Packers will find a way to manager that salary-cap wise.
Whatever happens or doesn’t happen, Rodgers doesn’t seem too concerned about it at present.
“First of all, I’m making $20 [million] this year, so I know how fortunate I am. And I love what I do. It’s a tough question. It really is. It’s tough to answer it the way I want to answer it,” Rodgers said. “Look, nothing’s changed. Both sides would love to get something done. And it hasn’t gotten done yet. Until something’s done . . . I feel good about where I’m at.
“. . . Obviously, [the contract] is important to me,” he went on. “Obviously, I’d love to finish my career here. But I’m busy right now. I’m focused on being the leader of the team. And if nothing gets done, it won’t change anything. Because all I’m worried about right now is playing ball. If something does get done, it’s fantastic. It’s great. Then I’d think about that I can finish my career here — hopefully. And that changes the down-the-line stuff, the legacy stuff can be even more important. But I’m not thinking about that.”
We love a focused Aaron Rodgers and he seems more so this year than he has in the past. Perhaps it’s because he’s coming off an injury. Perhaps it’s the fact that he’s got only one Super Bowl. Perhaps he has started thinking about legacy.
Whatever the motivation, the Packers obviously want to get this thing done.
“He’s handling it exactly the right way,” general manager Brian Gutekunst told WTAQ on Monday evening. “He’s handling his business and letting (agent) David (Dunn) handle the contract part of it, just like we’re letting Russ Ball take care of it from our end. I think the nice thing is, both parties want the same thing. We want Aaron to be here for a long time and finish his career as a Packer. And usually when that’s the case, it’s just a matter of time before that happens.
“It’s been a really good, open dialogue between the Packers and Aaron. At no time has there been any hiccups. I feel really good about the way we’re going and the possibilities it could get done.”
Gutekunst also said the Packers have no intention of letting Rodgers’ current deal expire. So apparently it’s only a matter of time.
