Not to be outdone by their sometimes flashier NBA brethren, the contracts in the NFL are also breaking through to staggering levels, and Green Bay’s own bad, bad man Aaron Rodgers just became the top dog in the league, at least as far as cold, hard cash goes.
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The Packers’ quarterback reportedly inked a new four-year deal with the Wisconsin-based franchise – who are heavily tipped to be a major contender in this year’s season.
That new deal is set to net Big 12 a staggering US$134million (AUD$184million) in the deal that will keep him under centre at the Packers until just after his 40th birthday.
Where this one gets remarkable is in the finer details: The contract is heavily front-loaded, meaning Green Bay will fork out an eye-watering US$80million (AUD$109.8million) by March of next year. By MARCH.
In essence, until St. Patrick’s Day 2019, the Green Bay Packers are paying Aaron Rodgers US$400,000 per day.
Aaron Rodgers new deal with the Packers will be worth $176 million to $180 million total, per source. Big feature is cash flow: $67m before end of calendar, over $80m before St. Patrick’s Day next year, $103m practically guaranteed, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 29, 2018
Packers will pay Aaron Rodgers the equivalent of $400,000 PER DAY for the next 200 days. https://t.co/VHQ7MGK90e
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 29, 2018
Coupled with incentives and bonus benchmarks for taking the side to the playoffs or remaining on the of highest-rated quarterbacks in the league, and that contract amount could ultimately balloon to somewhere in the vicinity of US$180million by the time it reaches its end.
Even by the most conservative estimates, the new contract easily makes Rodgers the highest-paid player in the game, eclipsing the previous mark set by Atlanta Falcons‘ playcaller Matt Ryan.
Understandably US sports media is having conniptions over the gargantuan pay day for 12, but none more so than journalist/performance artist Stephen A Smith, who cut a promo on the subject that would’ve made Dusty Rhodes proud.
Aaron Rodgers is a baaaaaaaadddddddd MAN! pic.twitter.com/VCRIsThbKZ
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) August 29, 2018
Follow that, Skip.
Now then, the big questions. Is the refreshed Green Bay receiving core up to scratch? How does Rodgers navigate a full season without the Robin to his Batman in Jordy Nelson? Has the side finally developed the O-Line pass protection necessary to get him enough clean air to haul the Packers back to the top of the NFC North?
Who bloody knows at this stage. But come kickoff on September 10th, all will be revealed.
