Aaron Rodgers has won a Super Bowl. He has been named MVP. He is one of the biggest super stars of the NFL and yet he is the lowest paid marquee player there is, of any sport. With Joe Flacco having just signed a gigantic contract, Rodgers pay day will come soon, but the quarterback is not going to pitch a fit waiting for it. Sources say that while Rodger is concerned about his contract with the Green Bay Packers, he will not hold out if a new deal is not reached.
Rodgers is reportedly not angry about the new Flacco contract. He does not plan on putting a large amount of pressure on the Packers to get a new deal done quickly for him. However, Rodgers does have merit in requesting a huge contract from the team. He put up MVP-like numbers in 2012, completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 39 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He led all quarterbacks with a 108 rating. He is one of the most accurate throwers in the NFL.
Yet, Rodgers is the most underpaid MVP of any sport. He currently has two years remaining on a six-year contract that will pay him $9.25 million in 2013 and $10.5 million in 2014. Both Flacco and Drew Brees are currently earning over $20 million a season. But Rodgers will be patient with the Packers, if a new deal cannot be reach by this coming offseason or summer, he will likely have the franchise tag placed on him.
The Packers currently do not have a lot of financial flexibility when it comes to big contracts. Both Clay Matthews and B.J. Raji are in the final years of their contracts and will likely seek more money. The Packers also have five restricted free agents they will look to resign as well. If they want to pay Rodgers the money he deserves, they will have to start getting creative with contract extensions.
The new Flacco contract will likely play a large part in what Rodgers is able to sign for. As elite quarterbacks begin to reach the end of their deals, the money will continue to increase. Matt Ryan, Matthew Stafford and Tony Romo are all set to sign new deals before Rodgers. Before 2014, the Packers will know exactly what a top quarterback is supposed to be earning.