What's the best line to wait in as an NFL player?
The one for tens of millions of dollars and the Green Bay Packers are going to show it's best player how far a little patience and a lot of production go in that line.
With the record setting contract of Baltimore Ravens Joe Flacco in the public's rear view mirror, speculation began to swirl about who would be next in line for a NFL jackpot. It turns out that person is none other than Quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
According to league sources, the Packers and Rodgers are in talks not only for a contract extension but one that would potentially make him the highest paid quarterback in the league. That could be a tall order with Joe Flacco's recent six-year, $120.6 million deal with the Ravens. To exceed that seems exhorbitant at first glance until you realize that Rodgers is actually outplaying his current contract.
Rodgers is four years into a contract he signed in October 2008. The six year deal was for $65 million, but is far from elite by today's standards. Rodgers is slated to earn $9.75 milllion in 2013 and $11 million in 2014. This pales in comparison to quarterbacks such as Peyton Manning or Drew Brees who signed a five-year, $100 million deal with the New Orleans Saints. Although, teams are reluctant to renegotiate a contract with 2 years still remaining, the rules rarely apply to quarterbacks, especially those at the top of their game like Rodgers.
Sure, all the other cool kids are making more, but does that mean the King of the Discount Doublecheck deserves a raise?
According to what he's done since signing his deal, he does. The 2011 NFL MVP not only was the victor and MVP of Super Bowl XLV, but was also NFL Player of the year in 2010 and a three-time pro bowler, to boot. He's helped a franchise move away from the legacy (and some say burden) of Brett Favre to being one of the most respected teams in the league, in large part to Rodgers play. Last season Rodgers passed for over 4,200 years with 39 touchdowns leading the Green Bay Packers to an NFC North division leading 11-5 record.