What Is Aaron Rodgers Thinking?
By jasonperone
When Alex Van Pelt left the Green Bay Packers as quarterbacks coach, Aaron Rodgers had a word or two to say about it. Rodgers' comment that it was "interesting" and that he wasn't consulted about whether or not to retain Van Pelt seemed to indicate that the decision to hire someone else was the team's.
As the All-Pro quarterback, face of the Packers franchise and one of the faces of the NFL, Rodgers garners a lot of attention when he speaks.
Many Packers fans remember Rodgers' predecessor Brett Favre and the waves he often made with his comments. Rodgers and Favre are two completely different guys. Different styles. But it's hard to ignore that Rodgers is entering an age where he is balancing keeping familiar faces around versus getting impact players.
One of Favre's biggest gripes was that the Packers didn't put enough around him to win another Super Bowl. Rodgers clearly wants to win another before he's done playing.
Following a very disappointing season in which Rodgers missed most of it with a broken collarbone, the Packers opted to make several changes. Change can be good, but also brings with it many challenges.
Many new coaches, new players, and the loss of guys Rodgers played with for several years. Those are all things the savvy veteran quarterback is dealing with now.
The release of Jordy Nelson a few weeks back surely had to garner a reaction from Rodgers, although we haven't really heard it yet. That may just be a function of it being the offseason and players aren't in front of the media right now.
It could also be Rodgers choosing to keep a lid on his thoughts, knowing that they'll be analyzed, replayed and broken down ad nauseam as we approach next season.
Rodgers may also be more focused on finalizing his next contract with the Packers. The team is expected to extend Rodgers to what will likely be one of the richest contracts in the league. Rodgers knows he'll be handsomely rewarded for his contributions and that this may be one of his last or the last contract he signs.
Once he gets paid, again, is he ready to accept the changes and take his teammates to new heights? Can he get past the loss of his go-to receiver in Nelson? Will he react well to being one of the elder statesman and a mentor to young players that the Packers will count on to bring more success?
It's easy to say "yes", knowing Rodgers and how he typically thinks. He has always carefully chosen his words and thoughts along with how they're shared. This year brings about added intrigue to the thoughts swirling about in QB1's head and I, for one, am very interested to hear what they are.
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Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts. You can follow him on Twitter here
Comments (71)
TKWorldWide
March 26, 2018 at 06:15 am
12 is always very calculated with his statements. I think he wanted it known that he wasn’t crazy about the QB coaching change, but also didn’t want to sound like a spoiled, whiny diva.
Eager to see what kind of extension he gets. Team/cap friendly? Last big payday? What does he seek? Sad to say, but the more $ he gets, the less there is to build/maintain the team around him.
Winning cures everything.
EdsLaces
March 26, 2018 at 06:38 am
He knows he's the best. It'll be biggest contract in NFL history guaranteed.
dobber
March 26, 2018 at 07:14 am
"What is Aaron Rodgers thinking?"
This hat was definitely a mistake....
TKWorldWide
March 26, 2018 at 07:46 am
That’s def what dob and TK are thinking!!
Tundraboy
March 26, 2018 at 08:51 am
That is a bizarre hat / jacket combo. Even Rodgers isn't immune from the bad taste of NFL athletes.
TKWorldWide
March 26, 2018 at 09:14 am
At least he’s no Cam Newton.
dobber
March 26, 2018 at 09:22 am
I was happy when Cam Newton finally got an NFL gig and didn't have to rely on spots on Starsky and Hutch for income.
Spock
March 26, 2018 at 09:21 am
Lol, dobber. That was hilarious! Pity it's a "hat" and not a "cap" as the "cap friendly" comments would of been an even bigger hoot.
dobber
March 26, 2018 at 09:22 am
I think you could get a lot of mileage out of that "cap friendly" comment today!
worztik
March 26, 2018 at 09:25 am
Are you sayin’ that Cam reminds you of Huggy Bear, DOB???
worztik
March 26, 2018 at 09:26 am
Cam is MUCH more flamboyant...
dobber
March 26, 2018 at 10:09 am
I didn't SAY that...
worztik
March 26, 2018 at 01:02 pm
What did you say??? Something where we all have to wonder what the intent you meant was? I do NOT think I’m the dumbest person on this site but, there are many things said here that may be taken in a number of ways. Starzky and Hutch for one!!! Cam Newton looks like a “PIMP”!!! Plain and simple!!! I think HB was their informant pimp so that’s the parallel here!!! You may not have said it but, the implication is clearly stated... just wonderjn’...
dobber
March 26, 2018 at 02:05 pm
Sorry, man, the inflection just doesn't come through in text very well. Yes...that's what I intended if I didn't say it overtly. Apologies.
worztik
March 26, 2018 at 04:56 pm
Dob... no need... sorry I came across a bit harsh!!! I enjoy your posts and your subtle sense of humor!!!
jeremyjjbrown
March 26, 2018 at 10:17 am
I sure hope that Cap Hit is not fully guaranteed.
Mojo
March 26, 2018 at 09:34 am
He's probably wearing the knit cap to hide "hat hair". Even though he's probably showered, his coif may not have come out to his specs.
Which reminds of the times during games when, usually QB's, have a guy to hand them a baseball cap as soon as they take off their helmet.
Is it that QB's are so cognizant of their appearance that they're afraid how a little hat hair is going to come across with viewers? It's like they don't think we know what they're doing.
Anyway, where do you apply for the hat -hand-off job? Could be one of the better jobs in the NFL.
worztik
March 26, 2018 at 09:45 am
At the hat-hand-off window in HR...
TKWorldWide
March 26, 2018 at 10:47 am
All about that “brand”, yo!
jh9
March 26, 2018 at 07:23 am
IMO, Aaron Rodgers is more interested in winning another Super Bowl or two than he is becoming the highest-paid player in the league... again.
Why do I say that? Well, look how many players in the last couple of years earned that title... Stafford, Carr, Brees, Cousins. My point is the highest-paid player title is fleeting. Meaningless, when a player is looking at his career in terms of a legacy.
But Super Bowls wins are a substantial metric just like NBA titles and World Series titles. A team or player who has multiple world championships is always in the conversation for what is all-time greatness. That is what legacy is all about.
I believe Aaron Rodgers has his sights set on being remembered as one of the all-time greats, and how much money he gets toward the end of his career is secondary.
That’s why it is so important for BG to make the right moves now. If BG’s goal is to sign Rodgers to a contract extension, I believe Rodgers has to be convinced that the Packers can win the Super Bowl within the next year or two. If Rodgers has any doubts, BG’s checkbook won’t mean a thing.
Minniman
March 26, 2018 at 02:37 pm
That vexing social question of how much is enough weaves right in here doesn't it!
1) A more learned CHTV fan may be able to shed some light on this, but what are the rules around third party payments for players in the league and their count towards cap? AR (understandably) also has a bucket load of those, so his quoted cap numbers aren't his sole income source, and that State Farm deal can't be for peanuts.
2) He's already reached that stage where his children (if\when he has them) never need to work a day in their lives.
The ball is in his court if he wants to be thought of like MJ or Brady when they are his age.
jh9
March 26, 2018 at 03:14 pm
Peyton Manning was in the same situation at Indy toward the end of his career. As great as everybody knew he was, he had only one Super Bowl win with the Colts. It was his move to Denver and winning one more SB that cemented his legacy as one of the all-time greats.
NickPerry
March 26, 2018 at 07:20 am
I don't envy Gutekunst even a little. Not only did he take over a franchise with holes all over, but he's also taken over a franchise with limited $$$. To make it even more difficult he's trying to sign one of the best QB's in the history of the NFL to a contract WITHOUT completely handcuffing from putting a team around him.
Rodgers DESERVES every penny he's asking for. If you had ANY doubt of Rodgers worth to this franchise take a look at last season. BUT Rodgers is also 35 years old and there's not any guarantee he'll play like he has into his late 30's or even at 40.
I go back and forth on this subject. On one hand I understand an extension and paying the man. But on the other hand I'd understand NOT extending him and tagging him in 2021 and possibly 2022.
Tundraboy
March 26, 2018 at 08:56 am
There's the rub. I go back and forth each day myself. Somehow I think the team finally gets the urgency of the next 2 to 3 years and we will gain that elusive Championship or two.
Spock
March 26, 2018 at 09:31 am
NP, I get the see-saw thinking on this. The problem is that if you do the tagging thing w/o something else it sends a bad message to other players and FA. It's a quandary. Tom Silverstein had a good article yesterday suggesting a way to make Arod the highest paid and still use the transition tags. Perhaps TGR could comment on it. Here's the Link:
https://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/silverstein/2018/03...
"One option the Packers would have is to just add the one year, guarantee most of it and then use the franchise tag on him in ’21 and ’22. Rodgers would have to be offered 120 percent of his previous year’s salary and it would be guaranteed as soon as he signed it.
It would assure that Rodgers would stay among the highest-paid players in the NFL without having to use any fancy escalators or options. It would also allow the Packers to cut Rodgers after three years if he were to suffer a career-threatening injury or if his skills were to deteriorate quickly."
worztik
March 26, 2018 at 10:01 am
I agree Stock!!! But the “GMs” on this site don’t agree with us!!! They want to keep ARod forever, put him in storage after another disappointing season because of the lack of premier players around him, take him out of storage when next season starts... repeat!!!
worztik
March 26, 2018 at 10:07 am
I agree with you too, Spock!!!
worztik
March 26, 2018 at 10:08 am
I feel like agreeing with everyone today!!!!! ;~€(
Thegreatreynoldo
March 26, 2018 at 11:22 am
Just adding a year sounds unlikely to me. AR is scheduled to earn $21M in 2018 and $21.1M in 2019. That is about $10M each year below market. So, is GB going to pay the market in 2020, perhaps $30M plus the make up for the low years in 2018 and 2019 by adding another $20M to that? That would be $50M or more in 2020. I don't think that is possible. The other flaw is that no one knows what the rules are going to be for tagging players in 2021, since the current CBA will have ended and we will be operating under a new one. Players have warmed up a bit to the franchise tag, but IDK if they have that much. Plus, adding a year doesn't allow GB to hand AR a nickel this year. Thanks for signing, every other QB gets an enormous check for signing but you get this bobblehead?
The % of the cap when no one else is using that system creates tremendous uncertainty. Also, to earn $30M in a year, the salary cap has to hit $200M if AR is getting 15% of the cap. When does AR think the cap might hit $200M? Not this year, probably not in 2019, but maybe in 2020. 15% of $177.2M is 26,58M. Great, we now have $5.58M less in salary cap space this year. That will go over like a lead balloon with the fans, even if they acknowledge that he deserves it. Getting a % of the cap just means no one knows how much AR will earn in the future, and certainly doesn't guarantee that he will be the highest paid QB for a while.
Does GB really want to give AR a buyout in 3 years when it appears they can control him for 4?
PN skips the gorilla in the room when it suggests fully guaranteeing the next 3 years and then guaranteeing two more for injury only. So, how much is that guaranteed total for those first 3 years? $90M? That's ugly. PN does suggest $26M, $28M, and $30M, but that just guarantees that AR will not be the highest paid QB for the first two years, and probably for 2020 as well. I thought that was the point. It is still $84M (what Cousins just got, all guaranteed in his case). Why would AR sign that? Only if he wants to give a discount. Moreover, players know that injury only guarantees really stink for players. At best they get to before an arbitrator.
Since you gave the link, I felt compelled to violate my vow not to read PN ever and actually read this article. All of it sounds unlikely, and the agent doesn't sound too bright if the reporter is accurately recounting what he said. The suggestions aren't impossible, but they require AR to take less than being the highest paid QB in the NFL. GB does have him under contract for 2 more years but holding him to that contract if he is unwilling probably will cause a stink.
Spock
March 26, 2018 at 05:52 pm
TGR, Thanks for the analysis. When I read the piece it sounded unlikely even to me, but I wanted someone else to look over the article who knows the cap (aka you). Thanks for the detailed response. It always helps me to understand cap issues with an explanation coming from someone who does! I apologize for making you read an article from PN; I didn't know you abhor the site. Always appreciate your insight and, in this case, going the extra mile to read the article at PN.
My bad. :) I didn't consider the implications of a new CBA coming up so soon. Gosh, seems like the last CBA was negotiated yesterday. Time flies!
worztik
March 26, 2018 at 09:43 am
Nick, As we think about his contract as a “business decision”, how do we relate it to a football decision? Personally, I believe as a business contract we do the “let the contract run its’ course” and go from there! As a football decision, that many of us feel isn’t equal to the business angle, I say the same! Let the contract run its’ course and decide what to do after 2019. I don’t have a clue what the mega minds in the FO have in store for the draft and the team as a whole going forward!? Will Gute feel the same as many of us do regarding drafting a QB high in this draft and letting him sit and learn as ARod did, or, do we extend ARod and kill our chances for adding other high performance parts at different positions? I still believe that all of these “EGO CONTRACTS” are going to have a lasting, negative affect on teams! I do not agree with extending ARod with a contract extension! As far as AVP goes, it sounds like he was looking for an out of GB... the telling factor is his lack of development with the gum chewer... just sayin’
hodge555
March 26, 2018 at 07:30 am
I said it last year and I'll stick with that prediction of $30m a year. The interesting part will be how much is guaranteed and how long the contract is for.
I can see that there could be an argument for not doing anything right now, he has 2 years remaining on his current deal, and to see first if there are any lasting after affects of the injury. Assuming it's no problem then re-negotiate during the season.
stockholder
March 26, 2018 at 07:35 am
Big Money. To Big. Franchise this guy. Arron Rodgers is not that player you NEED to Lock up long term anymore. Franchise responsibility is not about overpaying a guy that has seen better days. He has an expiration date. Just like all the other greats that thought they were the best. Let's be clear about this. His new contract could put us in the biggest sink hole, that could take down Lambeau field. Look whats happening! Players are getting cut for their contract money. Yes he's a fan favorite. I can't see treating players like dirt, when they don't live up to our expectations. Guaranteed money is not going to come from a scratched off ticket. It's still coming from the fans. Money is not going to make A-Rod better. It's only going to pay for an ego now. Fair return value is about A-Rods ability to Show he's still got what it takes. At 34 I'm skeptical.
dobber
March 26, 2018 at 07:36 am
"Guaranteed money is not going to come from a scratched off ticket. It's still coming from the fans. "
No, most of it comes from sponsorships and media contracts. Enough to keep most teams afloat.
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news/nfl-teams-shared-8-billion-2016-10-...
marpag1
March 26, 2018 at 08:14 am
Hmm. But in the end It's ALL pretty much coming from the fans, no? Other than perhaps a few local sales taxes that are imposed to pay for a stadium project here or there.... is it the non-fans who are watching football on TV, signing up for Game Pass, or buying NFL merchandise? Sponsorship and media contracts are ultimately paid by fans with money.
dobber
March 26, 2018 at 08:50 am
Everything originates from the consumer, yes.
Cubbygold
March 26, 2018 at 07:52 am
Always nice to start the day with a laugh
Since'61
March 26, 2018 at 07:46 am
Rodgers will receive the largest contract in NFL history and he deserves it. As for his thoughts? Well he says he wasn't consulted about Van Pelt, but who didn't consult him? The team or Van Pelt? Van Pelt made it known that he wanted to move on before the season ended, maybe Rodgers knew that and maybe he didn't. As for Jordy, Rodgers could have told the team to extend his contract and leave enough to cover a $5-6 million salary for Jordy if it means that much to him.
Rodgers is a professional and he is smart. He knows there is constant change in the NFL. He will adapt and move on. He has played the QB position as well as if not better than any player I have ever seen. He remains our best hope for winning the SB in the next 2-3 seasons. He will be paid well for his performance, not for his thoughts. Gute needs to keep building up the supporting cast. Thanks, Since '61
Savage57
March 26, 2018 at 09:17 am
If the Packers were to let him play out his contract and then franchise tag him for two more seasons, I really, really struggle with the idea a guy who'll have pocketed about $90-95M in that time is being disrespected.
And 38 is when the first big downshift occurs for the majority of humans and when it happens, it's not athletically pretty. Guys like Brady are freak exceptions, not the rule.
Imagine the cap hell the Packers will be in if they do a four or five year, $100M fully guaranteed for everything deal for Rodgers, and the frequency he gets busted up starts to increase in lockstep along with his age.
Minniman
March 26, 2018 at 03:08 pm
There's 2 major facets to Brady's success, and add in Brees here too.
Brady's discipline and application to all facets of his health is legendary and no secret.
How the Pats play him has also changed in the last 4 years and aided his longevity too - increasingly BB keeps a steady flow of slot receivers around him (flicking them before their performance wanes) and plays to his strength of accurate short passing and in-game recognition\adjustments. An above average run game is also a must here.
It's been an interesting thread today and really sounds the bell that its time to start seriously looking for A-Rod's replacement. After all, he was drafted 3 years before he started. At pick #14 and with a good QB draft class is this the year to pull that trigger - a question, not a statement?
worztik
March 26, 2018 at 01:17 pm
I sure hope not ‘61...
marpag1
March 26, 2018 at 07:51 am
Meh. Everybody including ARod knows that he's going to get paid, and everyone knows about how much. More than that, everyone knows that Rodgers is actually still under contract for two more seasons, and can be franchised after that if the team so chooses. And everyone pretty well knows that we don't have a clue what ARod is thinking anyway. No sense trying to make drama out of this.
My guess is that ARod is thinking about his tee time. Or the Olivia that got away.
cuervo
March 26, 2018 at 07:54 am
" This year brings about added intrigue to the thoughts swirling about in QB1's head and I, for one, am very interested to hear what they are.
I may be one of the few, but I truly could care less what his thoughts are regarding personnel, or Gute, or the coaching staff, or the price of beer at Lambeau. As long as he wants to play and is committed (which he seems to be) and is paid for his services, he should be happy and as a fan I am.
I just hope that he doesn't turn into the unlikeable Diva that Farve became.
4thand1
March 26, 2018 at 08:27 am
This dam hat is too tight.
Cubbygold
March 26, 2018 at 08:41 am
Here’s what 12 could be thinking:
1 – My track record says I’m worth more money than Cousins or JimmyG
2 – I’d like to win more superbowls, and if I take too big of a contract the team will less able to put talented players around me
3 – I’ve broken two collarbones and I’m more mobile than the average QB, I realize that a career ending injury isn’t impossible and I should protect myself against that risk
Here’s what gute could be thinking:
A – We’re a worse team without 12, but we’ve got him locked up for 4 years no matter what
B – Signing 12 to a record breaking contract will inhibit our ability to acquire more talented FAs
In my opinion, the way to make everyone happy and give Green Bay the best shot at winning superbowls is to acknowledge that asking/relying on 12 to sign a ‘team friendly’ deal is a hope, not a strategy. At the same time, they have to discuss with him that signing a 30M+ deal positions the team in a way where winning a SB depends entirely on 12 playing at an MVP level, and then some.
The unorthodox proposal I’d throw out is an 8 year, $160M fully guaranteed contract.
At $20M a year, the packers can compete for superbowls. That’s an extra $10M/year guy on the team that GB otherwise would be paying Rodgers. At $160M, Rodgers gets the privilege of signing the biggest contract in NFL history and eliminates his need to worry about injury risk. This checks all the boxes for 12.
The risk for GB is obviously that it’s unlikely for 12 to be productive until he’s 42. Also, if 12 gets a career ending injury, the team is on the hook. Personally, I’m not into winning division championships, and I’d have no problem with the team sucking in 2024-2026 if it meant that GB was competing for SBs for the next 3-6 years. If I’m a betting man, GBs next starting QB isn’t going to the HOF and the team should be entirely in ‘win now’ mode. If that means sacrificing a few future years, I’m ok with that.
Tundraboy
March 26, 2018 at 09:03 am
Ok, so make it 5 years
Tundraboy
March 26, 2018 at 09:06 am
I'd take that risk of sucking for a year to maximize our opportunities.
Cubbygold
March 26, 2018 at 10:14 am
I don't think Rodgers signs a 5/100M deal, it doesn't pay him enough. That would essentially match the Cousins deal, with two additional years at 8M/Y. That would be awesome, but I think that would be wishful thinking by GB.
I also think a 5/160 doesn't allow GB to compete.
4thand1
March 26, 2018 at 09:29 am
Do I have a blue hat to match my blue jacket ?
4thand1
March 26, 2018 at 09:31 am
Another young QB got tons of money in SF, WTF.
4thand1
March 26, 2018 at 09:32 am
Does Glennon still make more than me ?
4thand1
March 26, 2018 at 09:33 am
Who's gonna play the right side of the o-line so I don't get planted again?
4thand1
March 26, 2018 at 09:33 am
Will out new TE stick around for a whole year?
croatpackfan
March 26, 2018 at 09:40 am
I think that Aaron Rodgers knows what he thinks...
4thand1
March 26, 2018 at 11:05 am
I wonder if Ted has any Xanax I could borrow?
PatrickGB
March 26, 2018 at 11:33 am
Since 61 posted: "Rodgers will receive the largest contract in NFL history and he deserves it. "
"Deserve got nothing to do with it": Clint Eastwood in Unforgiven.
At the expense of the the total cap, these numbers are insane.
stockholder
March 26, 2018 at 12:44 pm
Exactly!! Why does he deserve it? I can understand why they want a contract. But the numbers have to go along with Ability, Cap, and Performance! Are we paying him to Win? Or just because; " Look at us we have A-Rod"? Were shelling out a lot of money to make sure he can Deliver! Adams, Cobb, And Graham are not cheap. That should count too. Yes A-Rod is special. But like most performers; " they have their Highs and Lows". I'm all for paying A-rod the Franchise price. It's his age and injuries, that take their toll on any football player. Why does he deserve to be paid over the franchise Number?
Since'61
March 26, 2018 at 03:26 pm
Just to be the Devils Advocate, Rodgers deserves it because:
1. He is the best player in the league.
2. He is one of the best if not the best QB of all time.
3. He is the Packers best/only chance to win an SB for the foreseeable future
4. Except for 2008, his first year as a starter, and his injury seasons, 2013 and 2017 he has won double digit games in every 16 game season. Do we really want to watch the Packers play another season without Aaron Rodgers? I don't, at least not yet.
5. Rodgers like the rest of us is paid based on the revenue he generates and he generates a ton of revenue for the league and for the Packers. He puts fans in the seats at home and on the road. He puts the Packers on national TV between 5-8 times per season. And people watch the games, which is big bucks for the NFL.
6. If you actually believe that he doesn't deserve to be the highest paid player in the league then; a) you have not been watching him play, b) you are watching but don't know what you are watching, c) you don't think that he is a better player than Cousins, Garapolo, or Stafford!?!?!? or d) all of the above.
7. It's only money and it's not ours so what's the problem?
Thanks, Since '61
flackcatcher
March 26, 2018 at 04:03 pm
Man, what a tough decision to make. Sign Rodgers, and kiss away any attempt to retool or soft rebuild the team in three years. Cut Rodgers, and face total hell from the fans. UGH! (Where is Ron Wolf when you need him.....)
Since'61
March 26, 2018 at 04:49 pm
Flak - Given the approach that Gute has used to date. I think that he can build the team and pay Rodgers. Remember the cap is likely to him up every season, plus the Packers will have plenty of cap space for 2019.
Combine that with 2 quality drafts (I hope, in '18 and '19), and some top tier FAs signed in 2019 and we should have all the pieces in place for a check of a run in 2019 and 2020.
As for 2018, with Rodgers we always have a shot but even with a good draft we're going to need many things to break just right, but it is not out of the question of the team stays healthy and gets hot for the playoffs.
It will be a balancing act depending on Rodgers final numbers but I think that Gute can pull it off, at least over 2-3 seasons. We'll see. Thanks, Since '61
flackcatcher
March 26, 2018 at 07:13 pm
I would be more optimistic if the CBA wasn't coming up. Last time it was a death match between the NFLPA and owners. I fear with so much on the line neither side will budge an inch. With out an frame work, the Packers will have a extremely difficult time trying to structure a deal with Rodgers and his agent. Even with good will on both sides, I'm afraid the hard ball in the CBA negotiations will poison anything the Packers will do. '61, even if the Packers and Rodgers do cut a deal, odds are it will take most of the cap space away for FA and leave little for resigning your own players. If that happens, then there is only one choice, a hard rebuild. We lose, players lose, the NFL as a whole loses. But that is what Goodell's rule changes have done to distort the entire salary structure in the league. Unless the players and owners come to a mutual understanding, Rodgers contract will be the least of the Packers worries.
flackcatcher
March 26, 2018 at 07:34 pm
One other point. I realize that I should have been clearer about the time frame. I think the Packers are OK this year and the next. With so many salaries coming off in the next two years, the Packer front office should have enough to work with. It will be tight, but with so many rookie contracts doable. 2020 is going to be crunch time, there are a whole lot of players contracts up, and depending on Rodgers contract structure, could really bite the Packers cap wise and on the playing field. That would leave Gut with very few, if any options. (I also believe that BG will be running the show similar to TT within the next year or two. Murphy's contract is up next year, and much of mess in the front office is his doing. So I don't see the executive committee rewarding him for rank incompetence.)
stockholder
March 26, 2018 at 05:22 pm
61 I understand why you think so 1-4. But isn't the franchise tag saying the same thing? This is about business too. I can't say he didn't earn his money so far!!! The problem is the business side. The CAP! The Future. The comments on Robinson stated, " it's all about Money for the players now." To me thats a bad trade off. It's a little to Much for A-Rod to play like a younger A-Rod. If ITS TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN. Somebody always loses out. Sooner or later other players will pay the price. Lambeau field has always had the longest waiting list for season holders. I doubt A-Rod was the reason. At some point; you must realize that the packers run the show. (Not A-Rod.) This isn't being negative on A-Rod. It's a business decision!
SpudRapids
March 26, 2018 at 06:11 pm
You don't make any sense... "It's a business decision!"
https://www.statista.com/statistics/661466/most-popular-nfl-player-in-us/
Rodgers is the 2nd most popular player in the NFL with 7% of fans in the survey sayings he is their favorite. That same site shows that 70% of the U.S. population consider themselves football fans. Let's just assume that the 7% is a representative sample of the that 70%... with 326 Million peple in the U.S. approximately 22 million view Rodgers as their favorite player.
What business would get rid of a guy tied to 22 million consumers
stockholder
March 26, 2018 at 07:38 pm
Ok Give him 50 mil then. He's worth it. Thats your logic! To hell with the rest of the team. To hell with future free Agents. A-Rods superman, and the Joke is the packer's management. I'm Saying franchise him. You Don't!!!! How are you going to lose him? Let's see how he holds up. ( Thats the business decision! ) I couldn't have made it any plainer then that.
Thegreatreynoldo
March 26, 2018 at 08:51 pm
Hi Cubby,
The problems with AR getting just the franchise amount are that it is an artificially low number. It is calculated by taking the average of the top 5 for this year, and addiing that to the franchise numbers for the last 4 years seasons' tag numbers when salaries were lower. The franchise tag is always lower than the average of the top 5 players at the position. 2nd: Since AR is the best, getting the average of the top 5 is less than what the best should earn. For the first time a guy is franchised, if he's the best, he's probably getting the average of the 2nd through 6th best players' salaries. Franchising is great for guys like Cousin: he was maybe the 13th best QB getting paid like the average of the top 5, roughly.
ShawnO
March 26, 2018 at 12:51 pm
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/02/nfl-quarterback-salaries-salary-cap-kirk...
Cubbygold
March 26, 2018 at 03:29 pm
Great article. The decision to let Jordy go gives me confidence that Gute will listen to data like this and refuse to give 12 anything close to 30M a year
Turophile
March 28, 2018 at 05:26 am
Refuse to give anything close to $30m per year, Cubbygold ? That just makes no sense at all.
FIRST, a contract that's the same % of the cap as Rodger's current contract, would be approx $32m per year.
SECOND, it takes two to tango, so if the Packers lowballed him, there are more than 25 teams in the league who would want him, though they might have to become creative with their cap to do it, just as the Packers have tried to be.
Imagine this scenario, the Packers offer a maximum of, say, $27m pa. (I'm guessing $25m to $27m is where the next exclusive franchise tag cost will be for QBs). Rodgers, via his agent, refuses to accept that deal. Packers then franchise-tag Rodgers. He is so angry at the tag he 'retires', sits out a year and comes back to play for a rival. Now, the question is:
"How many Packer front office guys lose their job over this decision ??
If you want to play hardball, you have to understand where the power lies. With lesser players the team has more power, with the elite players it is the player who has the 'mostest'.
Ustabeayooper
March 26, 2018 at 04:39 pm
The NFL is going to be printing money at least until 2021 with the huge TV contracts over the next 3 years. 30 mil a year for the next 3 years guaranteed and tack on another 3 years with less guaranteed money. Should allow the team to compete until ARod hits 40.
John Ramble Kirk
March 26, 2018 at 08:35 pm
He might be thinking trade. Had Jimmy G. not signed over in SF, I would wager he had thoughts of being the guy in SF. That was his dream. He wore his 49ers colored tie on draft day and said in an NFL draft piece that he thought he was the 1st overall going to follow in the footsteps of his heroes Joe Montana and Steve Young on actual draft day. He was stunned when it was Smith, and not him. No question he'd love to go back and play for his favorite childhood team. That's out the window now, so I'm not sure where else he'd like to go? LA to replace Rivers? That'd be an interesting landing spot for 12.
If he can't be traded, he's going to have to settle for taking the Packers money as it's the only place he can get it.