GREEN BAY, Washington – The Packers did not modify Aaron Rodgers’ contract last Friday, a source told ESPN, and paid his $ 6.8 million list bonus as it is instead of converting. -the one in signature bonus, which would have released more than $ 4.5 million in salary cap for this season.
However, they would have pushed that money to future limits, thus increasing what Rodgers would count in his 2022 and 2023 years.
There were questions about whether the Packers had paid the roster bonus or agreed to withdraw it as part of a restructuring or extension negotiation.
“It was Friday as planned,” the source said.
It’s a sign that maybe the Packers don’t want to count more dead money than they should already do if they went from their three-time quarterback MVP after this season.
When asked if there was still a restructuring or expansion in works, the source, who is familiar with the Packers ’plans, said“ possibly ”.
Rodgers openly speculated about his future at Green Bay following the NFC Championship loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in January.
Shortly afterwards, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst sounded like Rodgers was on his plans not only for 2021, but beyond.
However, when asked if Gutekunst felt the need to reassure Rodgers about this – verbally or with an adjustment to his contract – the GM said: “I don’t think I need to do much to reassure him because I think obviously his game speaks for itself. “
But Gutekunst drafted Rodgers ’possible eventual replacement, Jordan Love, in the first round of last year’s draft. Their contracts run simultaneously, during the 2023 season, although the Packers would have the Love option for fifth-year Love for 2024.
Several league sources said they believe Rodgers wants to make sure he will be the Green Bay quarterback beyond the 2021 season and that he will not be a “lame duck” quarterback. The team could do this by adjusting their contract without adding money to it. The Packers could turn a large portion of their $ 14.7 million base salary into a signing bond. That would provide them with extra room for the limit this season, but it would also increase the amount of dead money they would have next year’s limit if they continued.