Aaron Rodgers is next up to become No. 1 on the list of the NFL's highest-paid players. But so far, the negotiating process between the quarterback and the Packers has been interesting and occasionally combative, even as Rodgers' ideal contract value has come into focus.
As a former NFL general manager who signed plenty of quarterback deals in my career, I would strongly advise new Green Bay GM Brian Gutekunst to finish the Rodgers negotiation as quickly as possible, certainly before the start of training camp. And I'd recommend the Packers pay him what it takes to satisfy one of the league’s best players. The team does not want this to be an ongoing story.
I've always said the easiest contracts to agree upon are those negotiated when the market is well defined. That's now the case for the Packers and their two-time league MVP.
Matt Ryan's recent signing of a five-year extension for $150 million ($100 million guaranteed) with the Falcons surpassed the fully guaranteed three-year, $28 million-per-season contract Kirk Cousins got from the Vikings in free agency. Ryan's total compensation over the next six years is $170 million ($28.33 million per year).
Rodgers is under contract for $42 million in salary and bonuses over the next two years, so he's likely to come in around $32 million per year on his extension. He will then take the top spot in the salary scale, at least in terms of guaranteed money and, probably, in average salary … unless Tom Brady decides to no longer give the Patriots their usual discount in a possible extension.
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Rodgers is under contract for the next two seasons (and then Green Bay could franchise tag him), so the team has leverage. But the smartest move for the Packers would be putting this deal behind them and making their strong-armed, athletic QB happy financially and personally.
Rodgers began this offseason finishing his rehab from the broken collarbone that cost him nine games last season and doomed the Packers to a 7-9 record. He also was in a surly mood after the team released Jordy Nelson to clear salary-cap space, and his quarterback coach Alex Van Pelt was fired.
Reports in March claimed Rodgers was "frustrated and emotional" over those decisions, plus a lack of communication from the Packers’ front office. He also had to be disappointed coach Mike McCarthy did not keep him in the loop.
When some speculated ex-Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant could wind up in Green Bay, Rodgers said, "I'm paid to play quarterback, so I don't make those decisions. We like young receivers, so I'm assuming that's the way they're going to keep going. I don't know why you'd cut Jordy and bring in Dez, but he's a talented player."
Gutekunst must put on blinders in regard to Rodgers' previous comments or any lingering tension. He needs to establish a solid working relationship with the franchise's most important player; it's never a good look when the starting quarterback is taking shots at the team in the media, even if they're subtle and not directly quoted.
Gutekunst said last month he thought Rodgers' new contract could get done soon: "We're pretty confident this is something that's taking its normal course, its normal time."
Based on Rodgers' recent conciliatory comments to the Packers' website, it's clear the team has an offer on the table to make the six-time Pro Bowler the league's highest-paid player. Rodgers told the website there is "more than mutual interest on both sides" in completing a new deal.
Rodgers, 34, reiterated his past statements that he wants to play to age 40 and beyond. He talked of "being professional about it all" and "cultivating relationships with the young guys, finding what the team chemistry looks like every year — because it changes, and looking forward to the season." He also downplayed reported negativity on his part by wisely saying, "I know my role and that's to play quarterback the best that I can, and the team is going to put the right players and coaches in place, and you just have to trust the process."
Despite Nelson's departure, Rodgers knows he has talented receivers in Davante Adams, Randall Cobb and tight end signee Jimmy Graham. The QB also will be watching to see who emerges at WR among Geronimo Allison and the three draftees picked in the fourth and fifth rounds: J’Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown.
Meanwhile, Gutekunst and executive VP/director of football operations Russ Ball will continue discussions with Rodgers' agent Dave Dunn on contract terms, total dollars, guarantees and incentives for achievements such as winning another Super Bowl.
Considering the fact that Rodgers has missed significant time in two seasons (2013 and last year) due to broken collarbones, the Packers will want to include large roster bonuses in the new contract so Rodgers has to be on the field to maximize his pay. He has $600,000 in roster bonuses ($37,500 per game) under his current contract, and Green Bay will try to make that amount higher in his new deal.
The Packers are not going to agree to include a Lebron-style player opt-out clause, something that reportedly has been suggested by the Rodgers camp. The team surely does not want to set a precedent with a clause that would allow Rodgers to terminate the contract if another QB like Carson Wentz were to get a bigger deal down the road.
Unlike Brady, Rodgers has been with the Packers throughout the offseason program. His $500,000 annual workout bonus is encouraging his presence; it was a wise move on the team's part to include such a bonus, which will likely continue in his next contract.
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Deadlines are critical in negotiations, and both parties have Green Bay's training camp reporting day of July 25 circled on their calendars. That’s the target date by which this deal should be signed in order to remove the distraction element.
That's what team execs have to do when they have a franchise quarterback like Rodgers and want the focus to stay on reclaiming the NFC North and bringing a fifth Lombardi Trophy to Titletown.
Jeff Diamond is a former president of the Titans and former vice president/general manager of the Vikings. He was selected NFL Executive of the Year in 1998. Diamond is currently a business and sports consultant who also does broadcast and online media work. He makes speaking appearances to corporate/civic groups and college classes on Negotiation and Sports Business/Sports Management. He is the former chairman and CEO of The Ingram Group. Follow Jeff on Twitter: @jeffdiamondNFL.
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