ESPN’s Adam Schefter (per Zach Heilprin) reported Sunday that the Packers and QB Aaron Rodgers have had some discussions regarding a long-term contract extension that would make him the highest paid player in the NFL.
However, the two sides are still far apart in negotiations and if they’re to complete a deal, it’s likely to happen shortly before the start of the season.
The expectation has been that the Packers and Rodgers would work on a contract extension this offseason, given that he fell behind a number of quarterbacks in terms of salary the past few years.
Waiting until later in the year would allow Rodgers to see where things stand after Kirk Cousins signs with a new team and it’s possible that Matt Ryan could get a new deal with the Falcons by then, which would also help him and his agent know where things stand in terms of the top of the market.
Rodgers suffered a displaced collarbone fracture that required two plates and 13 screws inserted to help solidify the fracture and accelerate the healing process. He managed to return in Week 16, but the Packers lost to the Panthers were officially eliminated from the playoffs soon after.
Rodgers, 34, is a former first-round pick of the Packers back in 2005. He’s entering in the sixth year of his seven-year, $130.75 million contract that included $54 million guaranteed and stands to make base salaries of $19.8 million and $20 million over the final two years of the agreement.
In 2017, Rodgers appeared in seven games for the Packers and thrown for 1,675 yards while completing 64.7 percent of his passes to go along with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has also rushed for 126 yards. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 11 quarterback out of 39 qualifying players.
We’ll have more regarding a new deal for Rodgers as the news is available.
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