AP Foto/Bruce Kluckhohn, archive
Former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee has denied reports that Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers wants to become the NFL’s highest-paid player on Friday.
Talking about the subject on his Pat McAfee Show (from 7:40 a.m.)McAfee said he texted Rodgers asking if that was true and was told it wasn’t:
McAfee added that reports that Rodgers would demand $50 million from the Packers were “categorically false.”
Rumors of Rodgers’ monetary demands surfaced Thursday when ESPN’s Dianna Russini appeared on the Rich Eisen Show and said Rodgers wants to be the “highest-paid player in the NFL by a wide margin,” which would put him around $50 million a year:
Rich Eisen Show @RichEisenShow
She reported an update this morning on a time when Aaron Rodgers could make a decision on his playing future and @diannaESPN joined us to explain what she heard about it:#NFL #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/hLC5CMIVlc
Rodgers won his second consecutive NFL MVP award last season, and there are questions about whether he will stay with the Packers.
After initially not showing up for training camp last year due to issues with the organization, Rodgers finally showed up and played the season.
At the time, ESPN adam schefter reported that the Packers made some concessions to get Rodgers to play in 2021. Among them was the 2023 cancellation of Rodgers’ contract to make him a free agent after 2022.
Schetter also reported last year that the Packers and Rodgers were in talks to essentially let Rodgers choose where he wants to play in 2022.
Earlier this week, however, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said agreeing to trade Rodgers if he wanted out after 2021 “wasn’t something I told him,” according to ESPN. Rob Demovski.
Rodgers was candid about his belief that the Packers haven’t always treated their best players with the respect they deserve or given them the kinds of contracts they deserve in order to keep them in the fold.
Wide receiver Randall Cobb was among the players specifically mentioned by Rodgers, and the Packers acquired him ahead of the 2021 season in an apparent attempt to appease their disgruntled quarterback.
Former Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings, who was Rodgers’ teammate from 2006 to 2012, called Rodgers “a very selfish guy” during an appearance on FS1. First of all Friday:
First of all @FTFonFS1
“Aaron Rodgers was a very selfish guy. … I go back to personal experiences. His words to me were, ‘don’t be that guy.’ All of a sudden, it’s all about the money.”
— @GregJennings on reports that Rodgers wants to be the highest-paid player in the NFL: pic.twitter.com/UWYIoNZVUR
In reference to the report that Rodgers wanted to be the highest paid player in the NFL, Jennings suggested that Rodgers did not practice what he preaches.
Jennings said Rodgers once told him, “Don’t be that guy,” in reference to Jennings trying to land a big contract. If Rodgers is indeed trying to get a huge full-fledged contract, it’s safe to say that goes against what he allegedly told Jennings.
That said, Rodgers is only expected to earn $27.490 million in 2022, per spotracwhich is extremely low considering what he brings to the table.
The 38-year-old veteran is the NFL’s two-time reigning MVP and four-time MVP overall, as well as a 10-time Pro Bowler and one-time Super Bowl champion.
He also led the Packers to 13 wins in each of the past three seasons, despite missing the Super Bowl each time.
Even so, Rodgers is giving the Packers the best chance to win a championship, and if he wants more money despite what he told McAfee, it’s fair to say he deserves it.
