Aaron Rodgers commits future to Green Bay Packers to become NFL's highest-paid player

Rodgers' pact with the Wisconsin franchise is a four-year extension paying $134m of which over $100m is guaranteed

Ed Malyon
Wednesday 29 August 2018 18:26 BST
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Aaron Rodgers has agreed a contract that will keep him with the Green Bay Packers for the rest of his career and make him the highest-paid player in NFL history in terms of annual remuneration.

Valuing contracts in the NFL can often be complicated owing to the difference in overall salary, guaranteed money and bonuses but Rodgers' pact with the Wisconsin franchise is a four-year extension paying $134m of which over $100m is guaranteed, according to NFL Network's James Jones, a former teammate of the quarterback.

Aaron Rodgers becomes the highest-paid NFL player in terms of annual remuneration (Getty)

That deal eclipses contracts signed earlier this year by Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo and Matt Ryan that had made them each in turn the highest-paid players in the league on an annual basis.

Rodgers surpasses $30m per year and will receive fitting compensation for his ability, with many considering the 34-year-old the most-talented quarterback in the NFL, even if he only has one Super Bowl to his name.

The Packers drafted Rodgers in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft after a successful collegiate career with the Cal Bears. The two-time NFL MVP succeeded the great Brett Favre as the Packers' starting QB after three years as backup and quickly established himself as one of the finest passers in the league.

A four-year extension in Green Bay means Rodgers will play until he is 38, traditionally way past the prime of an NFL quarterback but improved conditioning and advancements in sports science have seen players extend their peak, with five-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady entering the 2018 season as a 41-year-old quarterback with few signs of decline and New Orleans Saints passer Drew Brees still one of the league's best at 39.

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