In case you’ve been off the grid, or traveling (like we are in Vikings-land), you missed the news that QB Aaron Rodgers received his new contract today. Rodgers (seen above speaking with the media in the Packers’ locker room this afternoon), will not have to work 9 to 5 when his career is over. We thought this would get done before the Draft like Clay Matthews’ new deal did, but it’s only one day late in happening. Here are some of the specifics:
• The guaranteed portion of the extension was worth $40 million (which is what he’ll make in 2013), according to several reports.
• Rodgers' salary numbers work out to a $22 million yearly average, surpassing the previous high of $20.1 million the Baltimore Ravens gave quarterback Joe Flacco in March.
• The extension adds five years to the two existing years on the deal Rodgers signed in 2008, meaning he will be under contract with the Packers through 2019. Rodgers had $20.75 million left on his deal, which for total income is added to the $110 million he just got (when calculating salary averages, clubs and agents look at only the so-called new money that a player receivers when he signs an extension).
• Flacco was No. 1 at $20.1 million, New Orleans' Drew Brees was No. 2 at $20 million and Denver's Peyton Manning was No. 3 at $19.2 million. Rodgers' deal should stand up for at least this season with only Atlanta's Matt Ryan and Detroit's Matthew Stafford due for new deals soon.
(Courtesy the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
(Courtesy the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
The other exciting news of the day is that the Packers selected RB Eddie Lacy (Alabama) in the second round. We are excited about this, as hopefully they can have a solid, “star” back for the first time in several years. More on Lacy’s background at Alabama can be read here.
After two days of drafting in New York, the Packers stand with two picks, having traded out of the third round:
GREEN BAY:
Round 1 (26th Overall): Datone Jones, DE, UCLA.
Round 2 (61st Overall): Eddie Lacy, RD, Alabama.
