The drama is over (for now). Aaron Rodgers’ reported new deal with the Packers makes him the highest-paid player in NFL history — let’s go deep on the terms of the historic contract.
UPDATE 3/15: The original version of this story was published on March 8. It has been updated to reflect the confirmed terms of Rodgers’ extension.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes owns a 10-year, $450 million deal, the biggest in NFL history in terms of both max value and average annual value. His counterpart with the Bills, Josh Allen, owns a six-year deal that includes a record-setting $150 million in guaranteed money. But on Tuesday, word of a new Aaron Rodgers contract with the Green Bay Packers sends a jolt straight to the top of the salary record books.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport first reported a figure of four years, $200 million, a massive contract that would bump Mahomes to make AR12 the new No. 1 for both single-year compensation and average annual compensation; Rodgers himself took to social media to insist that no deal had been signed as of that time. On March 15, Rapoport and Tom Pelissero confirmed the terms to be three years and $150 million of total value.
Following a 2021 season full to the brim with Rodgers drama, it’s a sigh of incredible relief for Packers fans, and the reverberations are almost certain to extend far beyond this initial news. Let’s dive into the details.
Click here to read Boardroom’s overview of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL.
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Aaron Rodgers Contract Details & Salary
All dollar figures via Spotrac.
Years: 3
Total value: $150,815,000
Average annual value: $50,271,667
Guaranteed at signing: $101,515,000
Total guaranteed money: $150,815,000
Free agency: 2025
2022 salary: $42,000,000
2023: $59,515,000
2024: $49,300,000
Under the terms of his previous contract, Rodgers wasn’t due for free agency for two more seasons, but the deal notably included a potential out during the current offseason. That possibility has been realized, with the Packers’ $150 million hail mary overwriting his 2022 season on the books and adding to additional seasons — that means $124 million in new money, all told, notes Adam Schefter.
Under his previous terms, Rodgers had been scheduled to make $27.49 million in 2022 and $25.5 million in ’23. That deal included a potential out during the current offseason.
The contract reportedly does not entirely tear up the terms of his previous deal, however. It’s understood that Rodgers’ extension lasts through the 2026 season.
A related takeaway in the fallout of this smashing news? Davante Adams is a virtual lock to return to Green Bay under the franchise tag. It was long speculated that Rodgers and his No. 1 target could be effectively a package deal this offseason, and Packers fans are seeing that come to fruition in the best way possible.
Aaron Rodgers’ Career Earnings
CAREER BASE SALARY: $71,215,000
CAREER SIGNING BONUSES: $106,714,706
OTHER BONUSES/INCENTIVES: $85,678,304
TOTAL SALARY EARNINGS THRU 2021 SEASON: $263,608,010(ranks No. 5 all-time)
TOTAL SALARY EARNINGS THRU 2025 SEASON: $414,423,010
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