Aaron Rodgers says he’s returning to the Inexperienced Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers is coming again to Inexperienced Bay, in spite of everything.

The celebrity quarterback mentioned in a tweet Tuesday afternoon that he would return to the workforce, following stories that he had signed a brand new contract that will make him the highest-paid participant in Nationwide Soccer League historical past.

“Hey everybody, simply wished to clear some issues up; YES I might be enjoying with the @packers subsequent yr,” Rodgers tweeted. “Nonetheless, stories about me signing a contract are inaccurate, as are the supposed phrases of the contract I ‘signed’. I am very excited to be again.”

NFL Community reporter Ian Rapoport, citing sources, had reported Tuesday morning that Rodgers had agreed to a four-year, $200 million cope with the Packers that will give him $153 million in assured cash.

Rodgers, 38, has performed within the league since 2005. He has been a starter since 2008, after fellow Packers legend Brett Favre left the franchise.

However there have been indicators of bother between Rodgers and the Packers within the 2021 offseason, when the quarterback hinted at stress with the entrance workplace, together with workforce common supervisor Brian Gutekunst. It adopted the Packers utilizing their 2020 first-round draft decide on quarterback Jordan Love.

In December, although, Rodgers mentioned his relationship with the entrance workplace had improved and praised the Packers for addressing his issues. “That is significant to me,” he mentioned. “I’ve loved being part of the conversations that straight have an effect on my job.”

Rodgers is coming off a turbulent 2021 off the sphere, however nonetheless gained his fourth Associated Press NFL Most Helpful Participant award. That fueled media hypothesis that the Packers have been negotiating a deal to make Rodgers one of many top-paid quarterbacks. 

As well as, the Packers wanted to deal with Rodgers’ contract to acquire cap flexibility. NFL groups have till March 16 to adjust to the $208.2 million cap restrict for the 2022 season. Getting into the month, the Packers’ exceeded the cap by roughly $26 million, in response to Over the Cap, a website that tracks NFL salaries.

For the reason that 2020 season, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has held NFL’s highest-paid participant crown. He signed a 10-year, $450 million deal in 2020.

Buffalo Payments quarterback Josh Allen is second. He signed a six-year, $258 million deal in August, and that deal’s common annual worth is  $43 million per season. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott ranks third at $40 million. Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson ($39 million) and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson ($35 million) spherical out the highest 5 paid gamers.

On Tuesday, ESPN and different shops reported that Wilson was dealt to the Denver Broncos in a blockbuster deal.

Rodgers’ AAV, primarily based on the settlement he signed in 2018, is roughly $33.5 million. That is tied with Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff for the sixth-highest deal within the NFL. 

Final season, he led the Packers to an NFL-best 13-4 document, and he threw for 4,115 yards, 37 touchdowns and solely 4 interceptions. But the workforce misplaced within the divisional playoff spherical to the San Francisco 49ers.

Rodgers got here below heavy criticism in November when it turned public that he isn’t vaccinated after he informed reporters in August he was “immunized.” Rodgers additionally broke the NFL’s Covid guidelines after attending a Halloween social gathering with out a masks, and then he tested positive for Covid.

Rodgers misplaced his sponsorship cope with Prevea Well being, a Wisconsin well being care firm. He missed one sport in Week 8 in opposition to the Chiefs, and NFL fined him $14,650 for attending the social gathering whereas unvaccinated. The league additionally fined the Packers $300,000.