Cory's Corner: Aaron Rodgers' Extension Is Looming
It will be done to kick off training camp on July 26 with an exclamation point.
Now that the calendar has turned to July, there’s something else that is getting brought back to the front burner: Aaron Rodgers’ extension.
Rodgers inked a five-year, $110-million extension on April 27, 2013. And many — including myself — thought that the Packers and Rodgers would do the same this time around. I figured that Rodgers would be signed around the NFL Draft, which of course came and went.
Now the best guess is that it will be done to kick off training camp on July 26 with an exclamation point. There already is an exclamation point on this season with this being the 100thanniversary of Green Bay Packers football. It would only make sense for the Packers to lock him up before Rodgers, coach Mike McCarthy and teammates get bombarded with questions about it.
In terms of getting Rodgers signed, I still think you have to give him a blank check. Obviously, if I was general manager Brian Gutekunst, I would feel a little edgy about Rodgers swimming with sharks, but Rodgers is easily the best player in the league and he gives Green Bay the best chance to win.
Now it just comes down to contract language. How much guaranteed money does Rodgers want? Does Rodgers have to be the highest paid player in the league in terms of average salary? Also, will there be language in the deal about future offensive weapons? Will Rodgers ask to be informed if the Packers want to bring in any skill guys?
Now there are many out there that still say that this shouldn’t even be an issue because Rodgers isn’t a free agent until 2020. That would be a terrible theory on two levels: 1. Rodgers’ price tag would be exponentially higher then and 2. There’s no guarantee that he would even return to Green Bay if the Packers wait until the bitter end of his deal.
Rodgers is the best player to put on a Packers uniform since Brett Favre. There’s nothing to think about. The Packers have to sign Rodgers or else the Packers faithful might burn Lambeau Field to the ground. The Packers were 4-1 before injuring his shoulder last year. And this year’s team is arguably better on offense and defense.
So don’t fret about Rodgers’ contract. The two sides still have three weeks to comb out the finer details and keep No. 12 in Green Bay for his entire career. The tough part will be deciding which pieces to complement him with.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (32)
Savage57
July 03, 2018 at 06:43 am
It's not the money in AR's new deal that's an issue, and I don't think either he or the Packers are stressing it. Him becoming the league's highest paid players is an inevitability.
He wants his contract to set NFL precedence, much as Cousin's did with the first full contract guarantee. He's seeking be the first player to have the flexibility and freedom opt-out provisions provide in his deal. At this point, AR's cares as much about his legacy in the game as he does the cash.
WKUPackFan
July 03, 2018 at 12:29 pm
There is not one credible report to the effect that AR is seeking an opt-out. AR denied the originating "report" the next day. No other news has been reported on the subject, no alleged leaks from GB or AR, absolutely nothing.
The fantasy of an opt-out is just another "report" dreamed up to fill time before the season starts.
*Edited to insert the previously missing word "been".
Savage57
July 04, 2018 at 07:40 am
Fortunately, I'm capable of independent thought, and what you read is my surmise on what's holding up completion of the deal, even though both sides indicate they're eager to get a deal done.
So, break it down. The precedence for a fully guaranteed deal has been set. AR's position as the player who'll sign the richest NFL deal ever is universally acknowledged. All the other machinations within a contract are just parsing money into silo's. So what's the holdup?
I don't have the certainty of omniscience you seem to enjoy on this subject, but I've negotiated a few labor contracts in my life and when stalls occur in negotiations between two motivated parties, there's usually a significant sticking point tied to precedence in structure, or breaking from past practice, more so than dollars and cents.
Donster
July 03, 2018 at 06:55 am
Packers would be fools to give Rodgers any type of opt-out ability in the new contract. Rodgers would then hold all the cards basically. Not happy, or want to play in his home state? He could just say buh-bye. I think this contract will have the guarantee that every new season he will get an increase in his salary per year, provided another QB overtakes him with a new deal.
Charvid
July 03, 2018 at 11:50 am
If a new Contract calls for automatic increases to adjust for new contracts signed by others, why bother extending him now? If the argument FOR extending him now is because in 2020 it'll cost a lot more, putting in an automatic escalator sort of negates that advantage to signing him now. Why not wait until the last minute (other than to just end the speculation), if GB guarantees he's always going to be the highest paid QB in the league?
Ferrari Driver
July 07, 2018 at 09:52 pm
That type of contract was done with Sterling Sharpe during his last year with the Packers. He waited until just before the start of the regular season and said if it weren't done he would hold out.
He got the contract stating that he would be the highest paid wide receiver in the league and the amount would be adjusted as needed to remain so.
Later during that season he received a career ending injury.
stockholder
July 03, 2018 at 10:22 am
China Doll. vs Management due diligence 1. Get a Contract insurance policy. 2. Blank checks are never a good idea. (per cap numbers ) 3. Opt out per injury 4. performance bonus for aging QBs 5. Roster Bonus. 6. Must pass physical
John Galt
July 03, 2018 at 07:09 am
Brett Favre 2.0
Use your two draft choices next year on a QB - bye bye Aaron
4thand1
July 03, 2018 at 09:28 am
You would fail miserably as a GM, JG.
Point-Packer
July 03, 2018 at 03:27 pm
I've read some ridiculously idiotic comments on this website before, but this one is in the top five. Congratulations, John Galt.
Since'61
July 03, 2018 at 08:02 am
Cory - ARs extension has been looming for a while now. I hope that you are correct and that the Packers get it done by TC. As I have posted in just about every article on this topic, the sooner the better. Thanks, Since '61
Spock
July 03, 2018 at 08:57 am
The contract will get done when it gets done. I'm not stressing out about it because there is nothing I have to do with it and I would assume Gute, A-rod's agent, and Russ Ball are having friendly (heh) discussions on terms pretty regularly. I personally expect this to happen just prior to TC, but that's just a gut feeling (of course, I've got a pretty big gut, lol). I just can't wait for TC for some actual football news. I also hope we don't have any fool 4th of July fireworks injuries coming up on ANY team. After the Giants dude blew half his hand off I hope the coaches really, really, stressed staying away from doing amateur fireworks this holiday. Enjoy the 4th safely everybody. Go, Pack, Go.
TarynsEyes
July 03, 2018 at 09:31 am
Player Opt-Out clauses is a WMD to the team....I don't like what the HC or FO is doing so I'm taking my ball and going to play where I say what happens...no matter the money being paid.
WKUPackFan
July 03, 2018 at 10:53 am
It is close call between you and Andrew Lloyd Peth as to who buys into more into fictitious reports and goofy conspiracy theories.
As stated above, no facts exist supporting the fanatical thought that AR is seeking an opt-out, absolutely none.
TarynsEyes
July 03, 2018 at 11:24 am
What you're saying is because you believe any notion of the Opt clause is just rumor or totally phantom, anyone commenting as to the premise of possible in any article mentioning it..is wrong and should be denied to offer a point of view....Left Loon much do you?
WKUPackFan
July 03, 2018 at 12:19 pm
You can comment inaccurately on anything that you like, just be prepared to take the criticism when you're basing your comment on one unsubstantiated "report". It is not a matter of my belief, it is an undeniable fact that no other "reports" exist about AR having requested or demanded an opt-out clause.
TarynsEyes
July 03, 2018 at 12:29 pm
My comment is inaccurate to those who think possibles are conspiracy theories because a writer raises the question. Is it valid, I have no proof and that's as equal to the proof that you have to say it's invalid.
Have you not ever stated something that started with...What if....sure you have...should we not offer comment/point of view about it or simply dismiss all what if's from being raised. It's hypothetical, hindsight and are discussed....so flake off already and I always stand up to any heat coming at me.
WKUPackFan
July 03, 2018 at 01:01 pm
"Left Loon much do you".
Try, more accurately, a traditional Conservative/Republican who refuses to let alt-right bigots like you and Peth appropriate both groups without a fight. Reagan advocated for a big tent. Your ilk advocates for keeping small children in cages.
TarynsEyes
July 03, 2018 at 01:41 pm
Boy are you wrong.....Not only do I hate kids in the cages,though a false narrative to it's extreme portrayal, I don't want any one kept in a big tent...I want the borders closed completely until a wall is built, I want criminal active illegals deported asap,law abiding illegals a path to citizenship but consequences for being illegal, legislation is passed to protect those who come legally, strong persecution of those come illegally and commit crimes. I'm an American..and I want my country protected and prosperous for all who endeavor to succeed and want to be Americans. I don't want people who want their country's laws to dictate our Founding Fathers...Constitution. Declaration,Bill of Rights. Call me what you want but I know who and what I am...American and Trump supporter.
WKUPackFan
July 03, 2018 at 02:16 pm
Reagan's big tent was in reference to welcoming people of all races and national origins into the Republican party. It had nothing to do with the physical housing of anyone.
That's how little you alt-righters know about the party you're trying to appropriate. You must have either been homeschooled or attended one of those Evangelical schools, where they teach that dinosaurs didn't exist.
Point-Packer
July 03, 2018 at 03:32 pm
Or that they existed at the same time as homo-sapiens. That's my favorite evangelical right wing nut ball theory.
WKUPackFan
July 03, 2018 at 03:43 pm
Absolutely correct. These evangelicals are a thousand times more dangerous than any immigrants.
TKWorldWide
July 03, 2018 at 04:09 pm
Speaking of standing up to heat, I was out all afternoon in it today but I gotta admit in all candor that I did dive into the pool many times to get a little relief. Works wonders!
zeke
July 03, 2018 at 11:28 pm
My first job out of high school was standing up to heat and diving into pools. Or something.
4thand1
July 04, 2018 at 04:13 pm
I wish I was back in high school, but not at 60.
4thand1
July 03, 2018 at 09:33 am
Give AR the new Title Town theme park, and throw in Wisconsin Dells as a bonus.
TarynsEyes
July 03, 2018 at 09:33 am
Player Opt-Out clauses is a WMD to the team....I don't like what the HC or FO is doing so I'm taking my ball and going to play where I say what happens...no matter the money being paid.
porupack
July 03, 2018 at 09:50 am
Good time to bring this up, just after all the discussion about whether to add a veteran FA receiver. Well, this presents the constraint why GB can't address every item on the wish list. Instead of adding a luxury FA WR, save the cap and ensure GB locks up the best QB. I'm pretty sure Gutekunst is setting aside the remainder of this year's cap for ARodgers.
PatrickGB
July 03, 2018 at 11:27 am
Frankly, I am getting a tad sick of this speculation. He has two years left on his current contract. I sure hope we don’t have to go through this speculation for much longer. It happens when it happens.
Cartwright
July 03, 2018 at 07:20 pm
No one's mentioned this yet but he does have 13 pins in his collar bone. If I were management I would make damn sure before I back up the truck and made him the highest paid player in football that a pin or two won't come loose or if removed by now that collar bone is as good as new. A few accurate throws here and there which he's done so far isn't going to cut it from a business side of things. I suspect they will wait till the end of training camp or even a game or two into the season to make sure all is well. Nothing like trowing on the run in the other direction for a strike or getting tackled on that side of his shoulder to determine that his collar bone is not an issue anymore. We all love AR but business is business and usually always served cold. He's under contract and they will take their time even if Aaron doesn't like it, but if that's the case I'm sure he'll understand. Like the old saying goes, nothing personal it's just business.
Ferrari Driver
July 03, 2018 at 07:27 pm
James just signed a $154 million 4 year contract with the Lakers; now that is some healthy money.
Football salaries have been escalating rapidly in recent years and our guy is the best of the bunch so we should expect it to exceed $30 million per year which would be about a 50 percent increase for him over is 2013 contract.
Johnblood27
July 08, 2018 at 06:00 pm
maybe we should have bid on James and let AR go to LA