The Green Bay Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers are moving toward a resolution for a new contract extension that will make Rodgers the highest-paid player in NFL history. That much came to light last week. Recently, new details have emerged to illustrate just how close the two parties are to a deal.
According to sources informed of the progress in the negotiations, the sides are roughly $2 million per season apart on their offers. The Packers' current contract offer is believed to average slightly more than $21 million per season, sources say, meaning Rodgers is a sure bet to eclipse the $20.6 million per season the Baltimore Ravens recently agreed to pay Joe Flacco.
The sides also are haggling over how much money will come to Rodgers in the next two seasons, among other issues. Per the terms of the current deal that runs out in 2014, Rodgers is set to earn $19.75 over those two seasons. That makes him underpaid based on his status and performance.
It is not clear how many years the possible new extension would run. But it is clear that Rodgers' agent, David Dunn, and members of the Packers' brass have continued the momentum they built during talks at the NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix, where team president Mark Murphy called a new deal for Rodgers "a priority."
Rodgers has earned points from the Packers by remaining mum as his current contract fell behind so many other marquee names. When the Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Tony Romo finalized a long-term extension on Friday that likely will keep Romo on the Cowboys for the balance of his career, all eyes have turned to Rodgers.
Still, being "close" doesn't always lead to a deal. During the 2012 season, Flacco and the Ravens reportedly were $1 million apart over six seasons, and they couldn't close a deal. Of course, Flacco cashed in after the Super Bowl.
After Rodgers' contract is settled, the Packers will turn their attention to linebacker Clay Matthews and defensive tackle B.J. Raji, who both are up for extensions. The total of the trio's deals might reach a quarter of a billion dollars.
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