NFC North Notes: Aaron Rodgers, Packers, Vikings

Aaron Rodgers

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers admitted that they discussed a non-traditional contract structure during negotiations, but they came to the determination that the NFL isn’t quite ready for these types of deals.

“Ultimately, I don’t think the NFL is ready for those type of contracts and willing to go in some of those directions,” Rodgers said , via ESPN.com. “The number of players on the active roster and counting on the salary cap is definitely a hindrance to some of that stuff. … There’s language in guaranteed contracts that need 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 5 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.”

Rodgers admitted that his new four-year, $134 extension doesn’t guarantee him anything beyond the first three years of his contract.

“I don’t think this guarantees anything other than maybe the first three years of the deal,” Rodgers said. “To get to the end of the contract would be sustained, consistent play. So, that’s the most important thing. And realizing that, you know, Brian is a new GM, he has decisions that he wants to make in the interests of the team and bringing in the type of players he wants to bring in, and thankfully I’m one of those players that he sees building this immediate future around, which is great. But you have to prove yourself every year in this league that you can still play and you’re still an important part of the squad.

“Obviously, my financial commitment is such that I feel good about my place on the team in the next few years but that’s not the type of player I am, to just rely on something like that. I want to go out and prove that I’m still an elite payer in this league, and if I do that then I’ll feel good I’ve got the opportunity to finish my career in Green Bay. But I’m definitely not arrogant in the mindset that it would never happen to me. It happened to Favrey, it can happen to any of us.”

Packers

• Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said he’s happy with how the contract negotiations went with QB Aaron Rodgers: “Russ (Ball) was the point man. … He really did all the work. It took its normal course. … I was really proud of how both sides went about it. And it’s really good to get to the conclusion of it.” (Michael Cohen)
• Regarding the decision to trade QB Brett Hundley, Gutekunst said: “I think we had a really good quarterback room so far this camp. The three guys behind Aaron, I think, have done an excellent job and have all proven that they can play in this league. It’s tough to see someone like Brett leave.” (Michael Cohen)
• As for moving forward with DeShone Kizer as their No. 2 quarterback, Gutekunst said: “He’s worked hard, along with Tim and the entire quarterback group I think worked hard to get better, to do the things Mike and his staff have asked him to. … It’s still a work in progress, and there’s another opportunity tonight (in KC).” (Michael Cohen)

Vikings

• Andrew Krammer reports that Vikings WR Cayleb Jones is accused of throwing a women to the ground, later kicking her and then smacking a cell phone out of her hand as she attempted to call 911.
• Jones was arrested and charged with felony-level theft, misdemeanor domestic assault and a gross misdemeanor for interfering with an emergency call.
• According to Krammer, Jones was released on conditional bond Thursday, but he must not contact the victim or enter her residence, and will be required to random drug tests and cannot leave Minnesota without the court’s approval.
• A pretrial hearing Jones has been scheduled for Oct. 4.