Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers agreed on a four-year extension that will make the star quarterback the highest-paid player in NFL history and keep him under contract until he is 40.
Rodgers told people in the Packers organization that he was going to let former Packers receiver James Jones of NFL Network break the story on the contract agreement, and he was true to his word. Jones reported Wednesday that the deal was worth a yearly average of $33.5 million in new money plus incentives.
The Packers officially announced the Rodgers signing Wednesday afternoon. Earlier, Rodgers had provided confirmation via an Instagram post:
“It’s been an amazing ride the last 13 years; excited to start year 14 knowing that my future is here, in Green Bay, for our 100th season. I’ve grown up in this place, and grown older and a little wiser along the way,” Rodgers wrote. “Thank you to our incredible fan base for inspiring us players to be better year after year. Thank you to the Packers organization for standing by me time and time again and giving me the opportunity to lead this football team. And thank you to my teammates along the way, past and present who have impacted my life in so many positive ways, giving me the friendships for life. Looking forward to making some more memorable moments this year, and for years to come.”
Rodgers and the Packers agreed on a four-year extension worth $134 million with a maximum potential of $180 million. The deal includes $103 million guaranteed and $67 million before the end of the calendar year.
The yearly average of $33.5 million vaults Rodgers over the $30 million mark, which Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan received on a five-year, $150 million extension he signed earlier this year, making him the highest-paid player in the league.
Ryan’s deal eclipsed the $28 million per year Minnesota gave quarterback Kirk Cousins in a free-agent deal signed in March. All $84 million of Cousins’ contract was guaranteed.
Rodgers, 34, had two years left on a five-year, $110 million extension he signed in April of 2013 and the new agreement extends that through the 2023 season. He will turn 40 on Dec. 2, 2023 and has indicated that he would like to play at least until he is 40.