Aaron Rodgers has inked a contract extension with the Green Bay Packers after a week of back-and-forth negotiations, and the NFL star is set to make a fortune. The quarterback will make an average of $50 million per season over the next three years, for a jaw-dropping total of $150 million.
The Packers officially announced the massive contract extension yesterday and seem pleased to have Rodgers continuing with the team.
"We are very pleased to be able to come to an agreement with Aaron that keeps him in Green Bay," Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst said in a statement. "His play on the field and leadership in our locker room remain vital in our pursuit of another Super Bowl title. The agreement also allows us to maintain and enhance what we feel is already a very competitive roster."
The previous reporting suggested that Rodgers' contract would make him the highest-paid player per year in NFL history. While Rodgers disputed the numbers that had been circulating in the media, they weren't too far off from what the athlete ended up signing.
The NFL star was originally on the books to make $27 million in 2022, but according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, that number has jumped up to $42 million. In 2023 Rodgers will get a payout of $59.5 million.
The absence of a signing bonus means that Rodgers has the flexibility to retire after 2022 or 2023, with no financial penalty to him. This is crucial because, at 38, Rodgers is in the twilight years of his career.
It makes sense for the Packers to shell out big bucks for the Rodgers. The quarterback is coming off a season where he was named the NFL MVP for the second year in a row. He also sports the best touchdown-to-interception ratio in NFL history as well as the highest career passer rating
Rodgers’ contract extension might be big, but it’s not the biggest deal in the league.
After leading the Kansas City Chiefs to their first Super Bowl win in five decades in 2020, Patrick Mahomes inked a 10-year contract extension worth an astounding $450 million, worth up to $503 million.
The deal is sure to bolster Rodgers’ net worth, which is currently pegged at $120 million. Not too shabby.