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The Packers’ eighth man, Aaron Rodgers, sent a message to the team with his remarks after Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers in the NFC Championship. The message probably had several tentacles.
Here’s one. According to a league source, Rodgers wants a new contract.
Rodgers must wants a new contract. He earns $ 33.5 million a year. He is going to win the NFL MVP Award in 2020. And he is starting the last years of his last deal, which will pay him much less compared to other quarterbacks.
He will earn $ 20.35 million in 2021, $ 25.5 million in 2022 and $ 25.5 million in 2023.
Rodgers currently ranks fifth in average new money, behind Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes ($ 45 million), Texan quarterback Deshaun Watson ($ 39 million), Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson ($ 35 million) and Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger ($ 34 million).
Rodgers earned the same amount as Rams fullback Jared Goff. Which means Rodgers is severely underpaid, Goff is overpaid or both. (Both.)
Rodgers has an amount of more than $ 37 million for 2021, but a new contract could easily reduce it. A new agreement will also reflect the team’s commitment to Rodgers over the next few years, based on the guaranteed payments and the effects of the restriction on cutting or trading them.
If Rodgers officially asks for a new contract, he will definitely get one thing: clarity on where he stands. A new agreement means renewed vows. No new agreement means the watch will still indicate a potential, if not inevitable, divorce.
While Rodgers may want more (especially when it comes to efforts to improve the team), one thing he wants – and deserves – is a new contract.