Back with the Pack? More like backed up the Brinks.
First reported by Pat McAfee, followed closely by NFL Network's Ian Rapaport with reported terms of the deal, Aaron Rodgers is heading back to Green Bay to presumably finish out his career, ending a year-long saga that led to retirement talk and trade rumors surrounding the quarterback.
The terms of the deal are being debated in real-time, however.
In Rapaport's initial report, Rodgers and the Packers agreed on a new deal that will not only keep the quarterback in Green Bay for the foreseeable future, and make him the highest-paid player per year in NFL history.
However, McAfee, who gets his intel from Rodgers directly, refuted Rapaport's reporting, indicating that the monster deal being presented might not be the one Rodgers eventually signs.
The man himself also has weighed in to that effect, with Rodgers confirming in a tweet that he will return to the Packers next season but adding: "however, reports about me signing a contract are inaccurate, as are the supposed terms of the contract I 'signed'."
Hey everyone, just wanted to clear some things up; YES I will be playing with the @packers next year, however, reports about me signing a contract are inaccurate, as are the supposed terms of the contract I “signed”. I’m very excited to be back 💪🏼 #year18❤️
— Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12) March 8, 2022
One thing is clear, though: Rodgers is getting paid. Here's how much new dough the Packers passer would reportedly make.
Aaron Rodgers contract details
On Tuesday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Rodgers is signing a deal with the Packers for four years and $200 million total.
The deal, at full value, will pay Rodgers $50 million per season.
From our breaking news coverage: #Packers QB Aaron Rodgers stays in Green Bay and will make $50M a year in new money. pic.twitter.com/Ud44n8uYIb
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2022
The reported contract also indicates that Rodgers will nearly double his career guaranteed money earned, per OverTheCap.
Rodgers' new deal, per reports, will be front-loaded, meaning he'll get a fair amount of money up front in the first yea, helping alleviate current and future cap issues.
Rodgers' previous cap number, set at $46,664,156 for the 2022 season, is expected to be lowered, allowing the Packers to work around some previous cap issues.
Former NFL punter and sports media personality Pat McAfee first reported that Rodgers was returning to Green Bay, but labeled the contract as "cap friendly."
Aaron Rodgers guaranteed money
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Rodgers' deal contains $153 million of guaranteed money.
In his career, Rodgers has made $156,777,500 in guarantees between his rookie contract and contract extensions in 2008, 2013 and 2018.
Direct figures regarding his signing bonus were not immediately available.
Pat McAfee's dispute
Rodgers' relationship with the talk show host is well known and his sourcing comes directly from the QB himself. So, one has to take into account the motivations and narrative spinning behind McAfee's reporting.
On Tuesday, the former NFL punter opened 'The Pat McAfee Show' refuting the terms of Rodgers' mega deal.
"It may have been the deal that was presented, but that doesn't mean it's the deal he's going to sign," McAfee said, referencing the $200 million price tag.
McAfee reiterated Rodgers' deal will be "cap friendly," shooting down the notion that Rodgers was "greedy". He added that Rodgers wouldn't return to the Packers, a team well over the salary cap, just to hamper their financial situation even further. The host added that Rodgers' deal should allow for Green Bay the flexibility to bring in or sign back players Rodgers wants on the team.