There was much talk about reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers being a selfish teammate, especially after news of a $50 million-a-year deal with the Green Bay Packers broke out.
Such an amount would cripple the team’s cap flexibility to sign more players.
However, the four-time league MVP ended up helping the Packers’ cap situation with his three-year, $150 million deal.
NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo pointed out how his new contract gave Green Bay a massive cap relief.
Aaron Rodgers' cap numbers the next three years for the #Packers:
2022: $28.5 million (down from $46.7 million)
2023: $31.6 million (up from $7.7 million on a previously voidable year)
2024: $40.7 million— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 15, 2022
Garafolo tweets, “Aaron Rodgers’ cap numbers the next three years for the #Packers: 2022: $28.5 million (down from $46.7 million), 2023: $31.6 million (up from $7.7 million on a previously voidable year), 2024: $40.7 million.”
Rodgers’ new deal allowed Green Bay to save close to $18 million of cap space, bringing down their surplus to -$6 million.
That’s an easier number to manage compared to the $24 million before the new contract.
Therefore, the Packers have a better chance of remaining competitive by keeping their top talent, especially wide receiver Davante Adams.
Pushing More Money Down The Line
But while the Packers will save much cash for the 2022 season, the succeeding years in Rodgers’ contract could become a major concern.
They’ve essentially delayed the money owed to Rodgers by loading most of it over the last two seasons.
If that’s the case, they would have to deal with a potential salary cap overflow again in 2023.
It’s like delaying a problem for now and addressing it later.
Therefore, it’s possible that the Packers will have to deal with more contract restructuring in the future.
For now, they get some relief by getting Rodgers back and saving money in the process.
When the 2022 season is over, the Packers will assess the contracts they need to cancel.
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