What Aaron Rodgers Should Do If A Title Is His Top Priority
What does Aaron Rodgers want? If it's a ring, the path is clear.
By BruceIrons
Aaron Rodgers says he's still not sure if he's coming back or not. But if he is, he needs to decide why he's coming back.
If he comes back because he likes the competition: cool.
If he comes back to collect another gigantic paycheck: good for him.
But if (as I hope) he comes back because his primary objective (not a reason, but the reason) is to win another Super Bowl, his approach has to reflect that.
He can't win a Super Bowl all by himself (no one can), he needs a great team around him. The hardest part about building a team is managing the salary cap. The biggest challenge in the salary cap is Aaron Rodgers's contract.
The Packers started the offseason at about $50M over the salary cap for next year. Despite aggressive moves that will negatively impact future caps, they still have a ways to go. That presents a lot of challenges, but Rodgers can fix a big part of that all by himself.
Last year, nothing was fixed. If anything, Rodgers had a hand in making this more difficult.
The team bent over backwards, restructuring nearly every veteran they could, to push cap hits into 2022 so they could add more talent in 2021.
This year, maybe Aaron Rodgers (who doesn't want to be a part of a rebuild) could bend over backwards to try to win a ring.
Actually, he doesn't even have to bend over backwards.
He just has to be realistic.
Here's the reality: putting together a championship team would be a lot easier is Aaron Rodgers didn't have such an obnoxious cap number.
He currently has a cap number of about $47M. Now, a lot of that is prorated bonus money, but he could lower his salary to the veteran minimum (which would be $1.12M for him) and clear up about $20M for the Packers.
I know some people are saying "Oh, so you expect Rodgers to play for free this year?"
First off: I don't consider $1M to be "free."
Second off: Not at all. I do not expect him to play for the veteran minimum at all.
That's because I don't expect that winning a championship is his primary focus. Sadly, I don't think this is the primary focus of very many pro athletes at all - Aaron's buddy Davante Adams has certainly made it clear that his primary objective is getting paid.
Adams has stated in no uncertain terms that he wants to be the Highest-Paid Receiver In The History Of The Game. He's never had that title before and he certainly deserves it.
Aaron Rodgers, on the other hand, has already had the title of Highest-Paid Football Player in the History Of The World. Twice.
Aaron Rodgers ain't hurting for cash. He's already made over $250M on his football contracts alone. That's over a quarter of a billion dollars! That doesn't include his endorsement deals, which are estimated to be around $9M per year, or his other business ventures (like being a minority owner in the Bucks).
Whatever ludicrous machinations Aaron Rodgers has dreamed up for what he wants to do with all his money won't hinge on the next $20M he may or may not make.
But, if winning another ring - and not adding to his ridiculously enormous lifetime income - is his primary goal, he can prove that by doing the unexpected. He can prove that by saying: "Hey, I've made more money than I'll ever be able to spend. I want to win another ring. I'm coming back for the veteran minimum."
Wow.
Not only would that make it a lot easier for the Packers to bring everyone back for another run, but maybe - just maybe - it inspires some other players (maybe even his best friend Davante) to say "You know what? Me too."
That would be powerful.
I could call it downright inspirational.
Another thing I could call it would be "painfully obvious."
It's simple and straightforward: if Aaron Rodgers cares about a ring more than anything else, money won't be a sticking point.
If he cares about money more than a ring, his negotiating tactics will tell us.
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__________________________
Bruce Irons has played, coached, and studied football for decades. Best-selling author of books such as A Fan's Guide To Understanding The NFL Draft, A Fan's Guide To Understanding The NFL Salary Cap, and A Fan's Guide To NFL Free Agency Hits And Misses, Bruce contributes to CheeseHeadTV and PackersForTheWin.com.
Follow Bruce Irons on Twitter at @BruceIronsNFL.
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Comments (127)
Bearmeat
February 27, 2022 at 07:33 am
I’ve been called an anti-Rodgers mouth breather.
I’ve been told to stop with the verbal diarrhea.
I’ve been called a Bears or Vikings fan.
I’ve been told I’m spoiled.
I’ve been called a moron (and worse.)
All because I’ve been making this exact argument for YEARS with Aaron Charles Rodgers.
I don’t begrudge a man his wages, nor for him getting what he’s worth. In about a year, my boss is going to have an unpleasant surprise when I go and ask for a 35% raise myself.
What I DO begrudge is lying. Aaron Charles Rodgers is a liar. He is a diva. He punches down on those with not as much clout as him. He is NOT all about the team as he has long protested.
If 12 wants to win a title, 12 needs to take less than 10% of the cap. This is a hard cap league, and that IS Brady’s secret. You need at least 10 blue chip pieces (QB, 3 OL, 2 pass rushers, 2 CBS, 3 weapons AND a good coaching staff) to have a chance to win it all. The Packers have rarely had that, and when they have, they've been close: 03, 07, 11, 14, 20 and 21 in the past 20 years. Yet every time they've they've come short - because of the QB's choking when it mattered. Not because of talent. Get the QB salary down, stockpile/keep talent elsewhere, and let the QB lean on that talent when he can't deliver himself when it matters (because he can't).
I have made no bones about not wanting this particular individual to be the QB of my team, and it’s not because he’s not great. He is great. It’s because (As Hub Arkush said) “He’s a bad guy.” He’s not trustworthy. He’s all about him. And you know the thing about people who brag all the time? They often come up small when it really matters.
Sound familiar?
If 12 takes a vet minimum deal, I’ll be stunned and excited as hell for the 2022 Packers. But he won’t. They’ll re-sign him for 50m AAV, mortgage their future, come up small (again) in January, and then they’ll suck for years.
I’ve been beating this drum since 2015. Just Sayin.
NickPerry
February 27, 2022 at 07:26 am
Love the comment BM... People who visit this site regularly KNOW you're no Bears of Vikings fan.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
February 27, 2022 at 07:54 am
Bearmeat a thumbs up!
nygary
February 27, 2022 at 07:55 am
Bear I totally agree. Rodgers is just a diva.
jurp
February 27, 2022 at 08:05 am
Well stated. For Rodgers, TEAM = ME.
Johnblood27
February 27, 2022 at 08:09 am
I’ve been called an anti-Rodgers mouth breather.
me too
I’ve been told to stop with the verbal diarrhea.
wet wipes are great
I’ve been called a Bears or Vikings fan.
not hardly
I’ve been told I’m spoiled.
no arguments here, you are a Pack fan after all
I’ve been called a moron (and worse.)
if the shoe fits... we all fit somewhere, sometime...
I cannot see AR taking the vet minimum, but a 10% deal should be exactly where the GBP start with negotiations with him, it is entirely defensible and rational if a SB title is the goal. I am not believing that the milksops at 1265 would even dare mention 10% to the asst. GM/QB, but they would have a great deal more respect from me if they did.
NickPerry
February 27, 2022 at 10:41 am
"I’ve been told to stop with the verbal diarrhea.
wet wipes are great."
Common guys, that little part of JB27's comment alone deserves thumbs up!! Thank you for the laugh JB27, and the excellent comment!
croatpackfan
February 27, 2022 at 08:30 am
Bearmeat, I have one advantage over you, because I'm talking (preaching) the same facts as you. Here, for those who are AR appologists I'm just a guy who do not know football, so they believe I do not know to estimate a personality of Packers Diva and influence of that personality on the team. Because in every team's sport every personality on the team counts. I like James Jones, but if I remember correctly Finley was also NOT a fan of Diva, not only Jennings and some other guys. JJ was in Diva's grace and, of course that he will defend him.
It would be interesting if players that were on the Packers team had balls to tell truth at the time when they were Packers...
NickPerry
February 27, 2022 at 10:48 am
"It would be interesting if players that were on the Packers team had balls to tell truth at the time when they were Packers..."
I've wondered that very same thing myself Croat, on more than one occasion.
Rodgers also made the comment "Players come to Green Bay to play with me"....Hmmm, who EXACTLY are those players Aaron?
Will Fuller? NOPE
Odell Beckham? NOPE
Marshawn Lynch? NOPE
Hmmm
BruceIrons
February 27, 2022 at 09:21 am
As for being an alleged bad guy and untrustworthy - I think we judge athletes quite a bit considering we have basically zero first hand information about any of them other than many a few minutes of in-person meeting.
I also think it's interesting that we assume all the athletes that we don't hear stories about must be swell guys.
I don't think we know the whole story.
Bearmeat
February 27, 2022 at 12:26 pm
The thing is, ARod's interviews on McAfee have been FOUL. And I'm not just talking about the anti-vaxxer stuff either. He's perfectly happy to pile on anyone he disagrees with, while defending himself to the hilt. He's a toxic narcissist who happens to be a great football player. He needs accountability and help, in that order.
"Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips."
"You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also."
MainePackFan
February 27, 2022 at 06:01 pm
Sadly it doesn't matter to some people. They hear a story and deem it true because they so desperately want it be .
Droski
February 28, 2022 at 09:51 pm
Had to sign in just to upvote this comment. My thoughts exactly bud 👍
Pack88
February 27, 2022 at 06:19 am
Please; Rodgers is not playing for vets minimum! Don't make me laugh-it is so ridiculous that you would even say it! He is so thin skinned the thought of earning less than Trubisky or what ever 12th string QB sits on the other sideline is ludicrous!
jurp
February 27, 2022 at 08:06 am
Wouldn't playing for vet minimum mean that he earns less than Jordan Love this year? Now THAT I'd love to see!
Droski
February 28, 2022 at 09:53 pm
Right? Rodgers ridiculous ego would never even fathom that possibility 😂😂😂
Droski
February 28, 2022 at 09:53 pm
Right? Rodgers ridiculous ego would never even fathom that possibility 😂😂😂
Coldworld
February 27, 2022 at 08:53 am
He’d have to do more than that because of the legacy of all the years when he did not. That’s not a criticism of him for getting paid, just a reflection of the different position that the Packers are in compared to the Bucs when Brady joined them.
StantheFan
February 27, 2022 at 08:57 am
He outplayed every contract he ever signed with the packers. Very few players can say that. Every contract was a better deal for the packers than for Rodgers based on performance.
Coldworld
February 27, 2022 at 09:21 am
Interesting. You think he was underpaid? If he was, Brady was downright robbed based upon results.
In any case, completely irrelevant to the point.
BruceIrons
February 27, 2022 at 09:22 am
I thought I was pretty clear when I said I don't expect Rodgers to play for the veteran minimum.
dobber
February 27, 2022 at 01:22 pm
"Please; Rodgers is not playing for vets minimum! "
You're spending too much time looking at cash value. There will be guaranteed money, signing bonuses, and the like that will land him a huge payday at signing and big paydays down the road.
Don't feel sorry for him if he goes light on cash in 2022 because he'll make a lot of it back elsewhere. He's played for $1.1M several times over his career.
MainePackFan
February 27, 2022 at 06:34 am
LMAO. He could play for the league minimum, win 2 more Super Bowls, and some in here would say he's a selfish POS for not donating his salary to curing world hunger, They won't be happy until he is gone.
Johnblood27
February 27, 2022 at 08:15 am
Have you EVER turned down CNN and actually thought about the reasons some people on this site feel that way?
Memory - zero
Attention span - zed
Self awareness - 0
Empathy - vacant
TOTAL - ZERO
There is more than one of these on this site as well... just sayin... Most people get at least some score on these points.
Turophile
February 27, 2022 at 12:53 pm
I scored a one on self-awareness.
Thank goodness, I was close to sobbing loudly. I always thought Zero was just a cool nickname.
Johnblood27
March 01, 2022 at 01:51 pm
That is funny, thanks Turo-Zero!!
MainePackFan
February 27, 2022 at 01:57 pm
"Have you EVER turned down CNN ".
My friend, I never watch CNN, and I have no idea how that pertains to the conversation.
I am well aware of the reasons some folks here are turned off by Rodgers. However, I personally choose not to obsess over things that are out of my control. Nor will I buy into every nonsense story that the paparazzi media throw out there for click bait.
You should try it, because apparently your daily dose of Dr. Phil is not helping.
I will be a Packers fan regardless of who is on this team.
If Aaron Rodgers is a Packer in 2022, that would be fine with me. I will root for the Packers.
If the Packers decide that keeping Rodgers is not worth the financial damage it would do to the team's future , I will accept that and root for Packers.
I have seen posts here at CHTV, that if the Packers bring back Aaron Rodgers, they will no longer be Packers fans. For me, that is nonsense and not an option.
But hey, by all means, you do you :)
Coldworld
February 27, 2022 at 04:24 pm
I’ve seen no such posts and I’m here regularly. Not for me to speak for others, so I will refer only to my posts. I have said that my faith in this leadership will be minimal if they mortgage the future for an encore run with less.
That’s because I don’t believe that Rodgers plus less will work any better than it did in the past, that I have little faith in the ability of LaFleur to raise his game and I’m not blind to the scale of or length of the handicap retaining Rodgers at market rate will impose. Why does that matter, because I’m a Packers fan first and foremost. Just as I was when I advocated for Rodgers superseding Favre.
It has sod all to do with Rodgers the man: I don’t expect my sports stars to be Bart Starr-like. It’s purely about what I feel is best for the team. Rodgers may do well with another roster, but reality suggests not so much with our resources. A bridge too far can be disastrous.
MainePackFan
February 27, 2022 at 06:28 pm
CW. The posts exist trust me. It blew me away that someone could dislike a player that much. They didn't involve you. I have always respected your posts even if I might disagree.
Time will tell if you are right regarding Rodgers. I believe you are wrong ,and you believe I am wrong when it comes to keeping Aaron Rodgers .
At the end of the day I have no doubt that we both love the Green Bay Packers.
By the way, if Bart Starr lived under todays social media radar, we would find a way to argue about him too :)
jurp
February 27, 2022 at 08:17 pm
I've never seen these mythical posts. Perhaps your reading comprehension just sucks.
Your comment about Starr shows you weren't alive when he played, or you'd know that he was the best-known man in Wisconsin for 6-7 years and under an intense media spotlight for most of that time. I can conceive of no way that anyone could find anything to argue about with Starr.
MainePackFan
February 28, 2022 at 05:53 am
jurp
February 25, 2022 at 08:50 am
"We "keep the band together" - why? To keep Gutekunst, Ball and LaFleur employed? They have to realize that this short-term strategy WILL backfire on them quite soon - so why do it? Why make a conscious decision to return to mediocrity after 22 or 23? You're right, Coldworld, they ALL have to go.
I've decided that if they extend Rodgers I cannot, for the first time in my 62 years, follow this team on a daily and weekly basis. I'll become a passive fan only. It's not worth the emotional roller coaster ride anymore. I hated the 70s and 80s, but I stuck with MY team. I'm older and wiser now and will not actively support a team run with stupidity and self-interestedness only.
The Bears still suck, of course, and the Vikings are whiners, as always."
Maybe I was incorrect in my assessment. You will be far less of a fan.
"I'm older and wiser now and will not actively support a team run with stupidity and self-interestedness only."
My apologies jurp. I stand corrected.
Johnblood27
March 01, 2022 at 01:55 pm
Bart the GBP Head coach made some public stands against a member of the press that was self-centered and wrong.
That could certainly be held against him.
His character was impeccable and he certainly was a man worthy of praise and emulation. That said, no man is perfect. Bart was just pretty darn close.
barutanseijin
February 28, 2022 at 07:26 pm
You’re talking about me. I can tell you what will happen next year if Kirk Cousin’s Big Brother is still the Packer QB: The Packers will make the playoffs and lose. The GOAT in his own mind will have another pathetic playoff performance to close out yet another season.
He. Can’t. Do. It. He’s not good enough.
Enjoy! I won’t be around. I’ll be back when he’s benched or gone.
jurp
February 27, 2022 at 08:14 pm
I have said that if the FO extends AR and by doing so, destroys the possibility of this team being competitive in the future, that I will become a passive fan, following them lightly if at all. This is NOT no longer being a fan, it is simply a defense mechanism to prevent future frustration and waste of time. We will never win a Super Bowl with Rodgers as QB, so why should I remain invested in this team? It's just too god-damn heartbreaking. I lived and bled through the 70s and 80s and will NOT go back down that road again. Now that I'm old, I've realized that life's too short for this kind of frustration.
Coach Cleve Steamer
February 28, 2022 at 06:01 pm
lol.
HawkPacker
February 27, 2022 at 06:34 am
I think it is pretty simple. Rodgers' s needs to accept a contract similar to what Tom Brady accepted when arriving in Tampa.
Bearmeat
February 27, 2022 at 07:31 am
It would need to be less - more like his contract in New England. Tampa had been bad and stockpiling high draft talent for years. They just needed a QB. They had young, cheap talent across the roster.
Coldworld
February 27, 2022 at 08:54 am
Apologies, I made the same point above before reading yours.
HawkPacker
February 27, 2022 at 08:55 am
I actually thought he took a pay cut at tampa bay. my bad.
MainePackFan
February 27, 2022 at 02:59 pm
He was paid 41 mil last year
StantheFan
February 27, 2022 at 08:08 am
Sign a contract that leaves the packers with $32 million in dead cap? That’s what Brady did to the bucs.
croatpackfan
February 27, 2022 at 08:33 am
Still better that leave the Packers with $90 million in dead cap, don't you think?
StantheFan
February 27, 2022 at 09:18 am
Who’s leaving the packers with $90 million in dead cap?
croatpackfan
February 27, 2022 at 09:44 am
If he restructure his existing contract and push the money further in the future. Read what TGR post. It is very instructive...
egbertsouse
February 27, 2022 at 07:34 am
AR cares about MVPs. He cares about individual records and his QB rating. He cares about the HOF. He cares about media adoration. He cares about being seen on the red carpet with a starlet. He cares about wearing a funny hat at the Kentucky Derby. He cares about Joe Rogan’s medical opinions. He cares about poison contrails. One thing he absolutely does not care about is titles.
Johnblood27
February 27, 2022 at 08:17 am
that right there is very good list...
He also cares about massaging his sycophants egos as well as his own then masquerading it as "team-first positive attitude".
Bure9620
February 27, 2022 at 10:09 am
I find the title of this article interesting....the question should be "What do the Packers do to win a title as it is their top priority."
It basically plays to this ridiculous narrative of "well the Packers need to help Aaron and surround him with good players"
We lost to San Francisco because Rodgers was awful....If Rodgers were on the "vet minimum" which will never happen, the Packers still lose in the Playoffs
StantheFan
February 27, 2022 at 08:09 am
We lost to the 49ers because the special teams shit the bed. Did you even watch the game?
croatpackfan
February 27, 2022 at 08:35 am
We lose to the Niners because your beloving Diva wasn't able to lead the offense to score more than 10 points!
HawkPacker
February 27, 2022 at 08:56 am
lets be fair croat. they both had a part in that loss.
croatpackfan
February 27, 2022 at 09:46 am
Ah, lets be fair, as you wrote...
But I bet that whole ST crew earn less than AR alone. So, lets be fair in total...
Swisch
February 27, 2022 at 10:15 am
True that both Rodgers and the special teams let us down, but I wonder how much Rodgers makes in salary for a season compared to all of the players on special teams.
A backup quarterback would've thrown to the wide-open Lazard on what turned out to be the Packers last play on offense. I don't think it's too much to say that if Rodgers hits Lazard with all that room to run for more yardage, the Packers probably beat the 49ers.
What really bothers me is that seemingly no one has asked Rodgers, even politely, why he threw to Davante in double coverage and literally overlooked Lazard. Does our QB ever get challenged with tough questions about his play on the field? (Another example is first-and-goal from the 8 against the Bucs in the previous year's playoff disappointment.)
It seemed our offensive line protected Rodgers well on this key play, and Lazard got open, and our superstar QB made one of the biggest blunders, one of the most disastrous fails, in the playoff history of the NFL.
Bure9620
February 27, 2022 at 08:54 am
I did, we scored on the first drive.... that was it. 50 yards of offense in the second half....The defense didn't allow a TD
Coldworld
February 27, 2022 at 08:56 am
We lost because they ended up with more points. STs were a big part of their scoring but so was the absence of ours.
StantheFan
February 27, 2022 at 09:15 am
10 points was good enough to win that game in those conditions. It was always going to be low scoring. When the special teams hands the opponent 13 points you’re not going to win many of those games in any conditions.
Coldworld
February 27, 2022 at 09:24 am
No. No it wasn’t, isn’t and rarely will be for a team built around a very expensive QB.
LambeauPlain
February 27, 2022 at 09:18 am
Rodgers "leading" the O to 51 yards in the second half also sent the sheets to the washer & dryer.
Bure9620
February 27, 2022 at 10:40 am
Yes it did. For whatever reason many Packers fans and media just simply absolve Rodgers of any blame feeding into his already massive ego. Aaron Rodgers does not perform like an elite QB in the playoffs. He just doesn't.
StantheFan
February 27, 2022 at 09:21 am
Yup and the offensive line completely falling apart had nothing to do with how the offense played in the 2nd half. 2 nfcc in a row the offensive line was the offenses Achilles heal and Rodgers gets the blame when he couldn’t even complete his drop and the receivers couldn’t get out of their routes before pressure was in 12s lap. He didn’t light it up in the 2nd half but most of the reasons why aren’t exactly his fault.
Coldworld
February 27, 2022 at 09:26 am
I’m not wasting any more time on you. You clearly have only one focus, interest and agenda.
Bure9620
February 27, 2022 at 10:40 am
Is anything his fault?
BruceC1960
February 27, 2022 at 12:42 pm
Is that you Shailene?
PhantomII
February 27, 2022 at 03:28 pm
Any QB who waits to the last second to get the ball snapped...has effectively called a timeout and completely rested an already dominant Defense because he is poor at reading Defenses and has already made up his mind he's only throwing to one WR regardless. He could have gone no huddle and really tired them out and not allowed a relief rotation.
stockholder
February 27, 2022 at 07:44 am
"Bulls make money, bears make money, pigs get slaughtered” Rodgers will come back. Because it's about the Money. It's always about the money. He has a contract. The trash talk about his personal life. Won't stop. The Trade talk has hurt him. The drama has scarred him. So just forget the " Loyalty" now. He already has his ring. When football was fun, and he didn't have to watch his back. And nobodies personal views will help him win anything. He played for us. The fan base that Loved him. The new friends he made. The old friends, to the past. Rodgers is A MVP. He loves to win. But until everybody becomes more positive. He'll take the money and run.
jurp
February 27, 2022 at 08:08 am
So, you're blaming Rodgers' choking in the SF games on us fans, because we didn't love him enough? Victim-shame much?
Thegreatreynoldo
February 27, 2022 at 07:50 am
Even though I am instinctively pretty frugal (my son says I won't even spend other people's money), I could spend a quarter of a billion dollars. I'd probably die young (well, younger), but....
Leatherhead
February 27, 2022 at 08:42 am
If I had a quarter million dollars, I’d spend a bunch on hookers and bourbon. The rest I’d just waste.
Guam
February 27, 2022 at 09:02 am
LMAO Leatherhead!
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
February 27, 2022 at 11:08 am
LMAO LH!
Coldworld
February 27, 2022 at 08:57 am
You’d just have bigger spreadsheets TGR
Coldworld
February 27, 2022 at 09:28 am
Leatherhead, then those half full glasses of yours would overfloweth indeed.
Leatherhead
February 27, 2022 at 01:26 pm
The glass isn't half full; it's twice as big as it needs to be.
Coldworld
February 27, 2022 at 05:43 pm
Could it be that the reason is that your expectations have dwindled too far?
Leatherhead
February 27, 2022 at 06:21 pm
No, it’s more because I realize you can’t always get what you want. I just want us to put a good team n the field that can win the division. Which gets you invited to the playoffs.
jurp
February 27, 2022 at 08:20 pm
A long time ago, a TV series called 'Mad TV' had a recurring segment called "Lowered Expectations". You must've been a fan. My expectations for the team have always been winning the Super Bowl, but perhaps your way is better for overall mental health.
Leatherhead
February 28, 2022 at 02:02 pm
Do you expect to score before you get to first base? Is it a bad date if you don’t?
BirdDogUni
February 27, 2022 at 11:24 am
Your son told me that when you have a quarter, the Eagle on it screams, because you squeeze it so tight... True?
;P
NickPerry
February 27, 2022 at 07:57 am
EVERY morning I wake up one of the first things I go to is CHTV. My first hope when I open my favorite Packers website is I hope to read Rodgers has signed TEAM friendly contract. Signing a "Team Friendly" deal enables the Packers to not just resign Adams, Campbell, and Douglas, but also extend players like Amos, Preston Smith, and Jarie Alexander. It would also help in bring back a MVS, Lazard, or anyone remotely familiar with the MLF system, which IMO would be pretty important.
Like Bearmeat pointed out in his comment above, the Packers NEED more than just Rodgers and Adams. IF Rodgers signs a contract making him the highest paid or even one of the highest paid, then he's NOT coming back for title.
Rodgers normally seems to think of himself the smartest guy in the room, but also his legacy, his place among the all time greats. After last season I'd imagine that took ANOTHER hit. He's a guy with great regular season stats, but that's pretty much it. Rodgers is 39 and will need all the help he can get.
Heard this on Colon Cowherd which actually AMAZED me but also pissed me off because it's TRUE.
Matthew Stafford already has MORE 4th quarter comebacks in the PLayoffs than Aaron Rodgers...THINK about that for a second. Matt Stafford, who spent his entire career except this season in Detroit. Who's been to the playoffs in just 4 of his 13 NFL seasons has MORE 4th quarter comeback victories than Aaron Rodgers...OMG!!!!
Oh, and he only needed one season AWAY from Detroit to accomplish it!
Oh, my 2nd hope each morning?..... Aaron Rodgers is TRADED for a shitload!
jurp
February 27, 2022 at 08:12 am
That comeback stat is surprising at first glance, but does explain why AR hasn't, since 2010, been able to win us a Championship. He certainly isn't capable of winning us one now, as he has so clearly shown us.
NickPerry
February 27, 2022 at 10:58 am
Hi jurp...When I first heard in on I rewound it to make sure I heard that right. I had and it kind pushed me closer to that point of I don't want Rodgers coming back...Period!
There's still that sliver of hope he'll play for CHEAP and allow that Packers to put the best possible team around him. But I'm really starting to doubt the Packers would be able to win it all based on what he's done in those big games.
HawkPacker
February 27, 2022 at 09:01 am
hey nickperry. all great points. i was on my computer at 6 am this morning, as most mornings, reading chtv as well. thumbs up for you.
NickPerry
February 27, 2022 at 10:35 am
Thanks Hawk... I LOVE this site. Many of us have been here since Jersey Al merged (I guess that's the correct term) his Packers site (AllGBP.com) with CHTV years ago. IMO it's hands down the BEST Packers site on the internet, AND it's free!
I'm glad to see you're here most mornings and commenting. Like everyone here for the most part, I enjoy reading your comments and respect your opinions!
HawkPacker
February 27, 2022 at 11:32 am
Much appreciated NP.
Coach Cleve Steamer
February 28, 2022 at 05:57 pm
Rodgers is 38 and not quite 3 months. Easy enough to verify. He’s also the current MVP.
marpag1
February 27, 2022 at 09:03 am
People talk about "hometown discounts" as if they were real and even common. As a general rule, they are about as real and common as pixie dust and bigfoot.
Sure they happen once in a blue moon. And when is the last time you saw a blue moon? Otherwise, if we define the term correctly, "hometown discount" is almost always what an agent says when he wants to excuse his failure to negotiate a more lucrative contract.
We can dream if we want to, but virtually every player is going to take the money... just like virtually every one of us would, too.
Turophile
February 27, 2022 at 12:47 pm
I agree with the rarity of hometown discounts unless it is a million or so less to stay on a team they like, but the superstars tend not to.
As for a blue moon, you won't see a blue moon because it doesn't refer to a moon that is blue. What it actually means is two full moons in one month.
I never pay any attention to "he should take a discount" posts. It's all too easy to throw away other peoples money.
Despite the signs pointing to the Packers retaining Rodgers and (as part of that deal) Adams, I still think there is a very real chance both are gone shortly after the combine, where everyone important is in attendance. Deals are often done then and signed later.
marpag1
February 27, 2022 at 02:15 pm
Uh... so you're saying that you can't see the second full moon? (I'm aware of what it means, and actually your definition is quite debatable. But I think we agree that it has nothing to do with the color.)
But yeah, even those "hometown discounts" that truly do exist aren't like people think. A few players may take a little bit less, but the idea that people are going to sacrifice millions and millions of dollars is nonsense.
If I were Gutey, trading Rodgers looks better to me than keeping him. But I'm still tagging Adams.
People have this weird idea that the Packers' options at QB are only two: ARod or Love. That's nonsense. Don't people think that we could pry loose a Ryan Tannehilly sort of dude, or someone of a Carson Wentz caliber? If Aaron Rodgers is available, I'm pretty sure Derek Carr is too.
Guam
February 27, 2022 at 08:59 am
I think Bruce Irons hit the nail on the head. The Packers will not be Super Bowl contenders unless Rodgers takes a contract that is significantly less than market. The Packers are at risk of losing too many good players via salary cap issues and free agency to truly contend if Rodgers takes a market contract.
I know there are a couple of knowledgeable CHTV commenters that believe the Packers could be as good or better next year through growth of their younger players and draft choices, but I just don't see it. Prospectively losing Z. Smith, Cobb, Turner, Campbell, Douglas, King, MVS, Tonyan and others is just too great a purge from which to emerge better. Keeping Rodgers with a market contract is a long, slow slide into irrelevance.
Trade Rodgers for some draft choices and jump start the inevitable rebuild.
HawkPacker
February 27, 2022 at 09:15 am
yeah, probably the easiest way to proceed. don't you wonder what rodgers is thinking about as to whether or not he should come back to green bay?
he is a part time gm, so he is well aware of the cap and has some idea as to how to get under the cap and still have a great team around him to be able to make a super bowl run.
he also better realize he is a big part of the reason they have not gotten to the super bowl. if he will admit that and change his ways when he gets to the playoffs that would go a long way to reach the super bowl. lets face it, management handles him with kid gloves. what do you think MLF says to him after one of his huge gaffes such as trying to hit devantae adams in the last playoff loss when he was double covered and 2 others were wide open? maybe.....thats too bad or maybe next time? if a lesser qback was in his shoes and came off the field he would get a pretty good butt chewing. he is tough to manage.
jurp
February 27, 2022 at 10:22 am
I would say at this point that AR manages MLF pretty well, and he's getting better at managing Gutekunst and Murphy. In a couple of years, maybe he'll change the team's name to the Green Bay Rodgers (a la Cleveland Browns).
StantheFan
February 27, 2022 at 09:00 am
Envy gets displayed in a lot of ugly ways. Several of them have been demonstrated in the article and subsequent comments section. You people don’t hate how much money Rodgers earns, you hate that you’re not earning it, and believe you deserve to.
Guam
February 27, 2022 at 09:12 am
I have been a Green Bay Packer fan for 60+ years and have watched a lot of players come and go. I don't care how much they individually do or do not earn. I care that the Packers are competitive for championships.
Like it or not, given the salary cap, player salaries have become a point of discussion in terms of team competitiveness. It isn't envy or disdain that propels my comments about Rodgers, it is a concern about how to keep the Packers playing for championships.
StantheFan
February 27, 2022 at 09:41 am
Then you should be old enough to know that a bird in the hand is worth more than 2 in the bush. The packers shortcomings are not Rodgers fault. Prior to this past season in his playoff losses the defense gave up and average of 37 ppg. In 3 of those games he led game tying or leading drives late in the game only to never get the ball back. For comparison even the great Tom Brady lost all but 2 playoff games in his career when his defense gave up 30 ppg or more. Turns out in his super bowl wins his defense gave up an average of 14.5 ppg. The packers have failed repeatedly to field teams that are complete in all 3 phases and it continues to get exposed in the playoffs and they haven’t changed their approach to team building and go figure they got the same results. That’s just not 12s fault, and he’s the main reason they were in the playoffs to begin with. Too many packers fans are fans of the packers and not the sport. They live in packers echo chambers and don’t see what the rest of the league is doing to be able to have a pragmatic analysis of the packers shortcomings and the reasons that effected their performance the greatest.
Guam
February 27, 2022 at 10:03 am
"The Packers shortcomings are not Rodgers' fault".
You lost me right there. While Rodgers is by no means solely responsible for the Packers problems, he is certainly a significant part of it. You can't consume 15% of the Packers salary cap, not perform well in the playoffs, and blame others for the Packers' failures.
No team in the salary cap era is a complete football team a la the Lombardi era Packers. Every team has holes and the superstar players become the difference makers that carry a team to victory or underperform and lose. Rodgers has by any measure underperformed in the playoffs in the last three years. Rodgers is aging and declining. Time to move on while the Packers can still get value in exchange for him and jump start a rebuild.
Coldworld
February 27, 2022 at 09:30 am
Are you really that big a chump?
StantheFan
February 27, 2022 at 09:35 am
Nope I don’t seek validation from strangers on the internet. Especially weak minded nitwits who rant like toddlers while sensationalizing something that isn’t even accurate to begin with.
Coldworld
February 27, 2022 at 09:38 am
Extraordinarily good at hiding that then.
Guam
February 27, 2022 at 10:05 am
And now you resort to name calling.........
jurp
February 27, 2022 at 10:23 am
"You people don’t hate how much money Rodgers earns, you hate that you’re not earning it, and believe you deserve to."
What a crock of shit.
Oppy
February 27, 2022 at 07:01 pm
I don't think the envy thing really applies much to the posters around here, but I will be the first to acknowledge that this line of thought definitely does exist and it's ugly.
Yes, there are definitely a number of people on the planet who despise when someone makes a lot of money, and sometimes it is definitely because they are upset that they aren't the one making the big salary.
barutanseijin
February 28, 2022 at 07:42 pm
What a load of crap!
You know what i envy? All the NFL titles my cousins in the Boston area enjoyed. That they were able to watch a QB who cared about winning more than anything.
Coldworld
February 27, 2022 at 09:05 am
I’m just so tired of this. Make your mind up Rodgers, but if you don’t play for less than your market value, no point in coming back here for anything other than a payday that will cost the franchise for years. Simple, and you know the math, you knew it last year when you chose not to amend your contract to allow extra funds for the last dance in favor of freedom for you this year. Give something back or take your money from elsewhere and save the team from itself.
BirdDogUni
February 27, 2022 at 10:49 am
I fully expect him to give his answer on the PMS on Tuesday. It's only 1 1/2 more days Cw...
If he goes off-schedule, it could be tomorrow,
BruceC1960
February 27, 2022 at 12:29 pm
Can you promise if I turn on the PMS Tuesday I won’t just hear about his cleansing and girl trouble?
dobber
February 27, 2022 at 01:02 pm
"I fully expect him to give his answer on the PMS on Tuesday."
I don't think so. He's not going to jump first unless the Packers have given him everything he wants...and in that case, it will likely be leaked before he gets a chance to say anything.
He's going to let the Packers move first--which is why he's targeted the tagging period with Adams--and will play off that. He knows the Packers are up against a wall that forces their hand before he has to do anything. It leaves him in a position of strength, and he knows it.
CheesyTex
February 27, 2022 at 03:46 pm
He's had the Packers F.O. by the gonads for two off-seasons now, and by extension all of Packers Nation. Obviously tough on the F.O. to plan for multiple scenarios at the start of a league year, tough on Packers players, (particularly free agents), and tough on fans -- witness the anxiety in replies on CTV..
Seems as if he relishes his power, and will squeeze 'em just because he can.
Bure9620
February 27, 2022 at 12:24 pm
Agree, I have said ad nauseum extending Rodgers would be a mistake for both short and long terms. There will never be a better time to get a large draft haul for Rodgers than next month...never....they just went all in..fine it failed. If Rodgers signs a massive extension, This team will not be as good around him as the past 2 seasons and certainly not as deep....Long term..what is the plan?? Hold on to Rodgers so we have jobs? Keep your first round QB on the bench for 4 years then get a compensatory pick???
jurp
February 27, 2022 at 08:29 pm
"Hold on to Rodgers so we have jobs? Keep your first round QB on the bench for 4 years then get a compensatory pick???"
Sure seems that way.
13TimeChamps
February 27, 2022 at 09:16 am
I have a question for the more salary/salary cap astute posters on here:
Would the NFLPA even allow such a contract for a 4 time MVP? A moot point for sure, because I don't believe for a minute that Rodgers would even consider it, but just curious if something like that would be allowed.
BruceIrons
February 27, 2022 at 09:32 am
The NFLPA may not like the precedent set by a player taking less than he could possibly get, but they couldn't really do much about it. My guess is a lot of non-superstars in the NFLPA would probably (maybe silently) applaud the move since it would mean more money available for them.
As the the CBA rules, there are some items that can't be negotiated (like the dead cap hit for bonuses paid), but players have all the flexibility in the world to negotiate their base salary and performance bonuses for each season (provided they agree to it and it fulfils the minimum salary requirements).
Hope this helps.
13TimeChamps
February 27, 2022 at 09:36 am
Thanks. Appreciate the info.
Coldworld
February 27, 2022 at 09:37 am
It’s not forbidden, they may not like it, but all there is is a minimum that increases a little for players with multiple qualifying seasons up to 10. The Union was concerned that more would encourage teams to avoid veteran players. Rodgers could theoretically sign for $1.12 million this year I think (though he’s under contract for vastly more at present obviously).
StantheFan
February 27, 2022 at 09:46 am
The main thing here so many don’t understand is that it’s not even possible because 40% of that money has already been paid to him. His salary for the upcoming season is $26 million so even if he agreed to take that to the league minimum it would still be a $20 plus million cap hit. Way too many with opinions that aren’t rooted in reality and are instead in the how I wish things were instead of how they actually all.
dobber
February 27, 2022 at 01:21 pm
Most people haven't recognized his annual cap hits over the term of the contract he's playing on now has not yet hit $30M. Some of that has to do with some renegotiations and roster bonuses along the way and refiguring his contract last summer to add void years and spread some money out (and end his deal after 2022). The Packers have been borrowing from the ARod bank on occasion. His annual salaries (outside of roster bonuses) haven't been $2M. He's mostly played for the league minimum salary during this deal.
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/aaron-rodgers-3745/
Coldworld
February 27, 2022 at 04:35 pm
In a technical sense, but up front and roster bonuses accelerate cash into his hand while both reducing what technically counts as salary and helping to extend the cap hit in the case of perorated bonuses. In other words, his take home hasn’t suffered materially while his cap hit has been kicked out.
LambeauPlain
February 27, 2022 at 09:51 am
If Rodgers accepted a huge paycut to help the team keep key players for one more run, his legacy in Green Bay and the NFL would be set. And if he led the Team to another Lombardi, he would be legendary.
I just do not believe it is in his character to do so.
As it is, his legacy will be one of a very good QB during the regular season and mostly a failure in the playoffs....and a Quarter Billionaire playing a TEAM game.
HawkPacker
February 27, 2022 at 11:40 am
.............and not counting his non football income.
Leatherhead
February 27, 2022 at 12:29 pm
All speculation. We'll have some solid answers before long. February is almost over, the new league year begins, free agency, etc. I think we'll know what's up in two weeks or less.
Based on what I'm reading from official sources:
The Packers want Aaron Rodgers back and have offered to make him the highest paid guy in the league. Neither Rodgers nor the Packers have said anything contrary to this.
So, I'm going to speculate that we go with Rodgers for two more years, we resign Adams, we do some creative bookkeeping and push money into the future (called, "mortgaging the future"). I think that is what is going to happen.
Love will remain on the bench. Dillon and Jones will remain in the backfield. A very good offensive line unit returns. Lazard and Amari and Deguara will flesh out quite a bit of the rest of the offense. The bill comes due in 2024 but a higher cap mitigates some of the pain. That gives us three drafts to add some rookie contracts that we can build on after our big dollar vets are gone.
BruceC1960
February 27, 2022 at 12:33 pm
I’m afraid you’re correct.
fastmoving
February 27, 2022 at 02:16 pm
AR is the opposite of Packers People.
The opposite of a winner and a leader.
He may be a great QB besides the playoffs but he is not a good, or smart or strong person at all.
Way more Joe Rogan than TB and no bit of Lomardi thats for sure.
Just a normal flatearther with one of the best arms on the planet. What a waste
coolhand
February 27, 2022 at 03:56 pm
So DA wants to be the highest paid WR in history? Then he should show up when it matters, like Cooper Kupp
barutanseijin
February 28, 2022 at 07:45 pm
He is almost as overrated as his QB. Can’t get open when it matters.
coolhand
February 27, 2022 at 04:15 pm
If I'm the Packers management, and my highest paid star player needs a month to decide if he is coming back to the team or not, I'm moving on. This delay in making decision hurts the team and shows 12 really doesn't want to play for GB.
barutanseijin
February 28, 2022 at 07:45 pm
Let’s hope so!
Swisch
February 27, 2022 at 07:19 pm
So, I wonder how much of this season was Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams feeding each other's egos and wallets.
They certainly didn't come through in the playoffs the past two seasons like guys who have the priority of winning a championship.
The last game of the regular season against the Lions may be telling. After Rodgers was adamant about not playing in preseason games as meaningless and unnecessary and risky, he was adamant about playing in the last game of the regular season when it had no benefit to the Packers as a team.
Then Rodgers and Davante seemed to simply play catch for the first half to pad their stats. The rest of the team was apparently nothing to them.
Now, as is often the case, I may be wrong about these concerns.
However, if I'm basically right, the Packers won't win a Super Bowl with Rodgers and Davante. They'll only tease us during the regular season with pretty plays before eventually inflicting crushing heartbreak.
That's what happens if team leaders are mostly in it for themselves. When the going gets tough, the selfish shrink. Then they make excuses, exalt themselves, and count their money.
Qoojo
February 27, 2022 at 07:35 pm
Seems that the hatred for AR is a bit over the top here.
Accepting a huge highest paid contract does say something about priorities.
jurp
February 27, 2022 at 08:34 pm
I don't hate AR - he's just a player that's very tiring to have around and his playoff performances are so not worth his salary. I'm just very, very disappointed in the team's management for putting one player ahead of the team. If I wanted this kind of setup I'd follow the NBA.