Prior to last season, the Packers signed Aaron Rodgers to a four-year extension that guaranteed him more than $100 million and also made him the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL in the process.
After signing the deal, Rodgers, who had two years left on his deal at the time of the extension, led the Packers to a dismal 6-9-1 record that saw head coach Mike McCarthy get fired hours after the Green Bay’s embarrassing Week 13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
According to a new report from Bleacher Report, Rodgers was likely very happy about McCarthy’s dismissal because he held a grudge against his former coach dating back to 1995 when, while with the 49ers, McCarthy voted to draft Alex Smith instead of Rodgers.
Rodgers’ dissatisfaction with McCarthy reportedly manifested itself in various ways and, since so much of Rodgers’ money was guaranteed, the team could do little to get him in line.
Packers CEO Mark Murphy was so worried about the situation following McCarthy’s firing that he reportedly had to order Rodgers not to be a problem after Matt LaFleur was hired as his replacement.
As ProFootballTalk points out, Green Bay kind of painted itself into a corner with the huge deal and may have made a massive mistake.
“If the Packers hadn’t signed Rodgers to that extension, they’d have a great deal of leverage with him right now: They could tell him, If you’re the problem this season, you won’t be here next season, but if you get back to your MVP form, we’ll reward you with a lucrative contract extension,” ProFootballTalk notes. “As it is, the Packers have given Rodgers so much money that they couldn’t move on from him now if they wanted to: Rodgers’ huge signing bonus means he would have about a $45 million dead cap hit if he were traded. It’s simply not feasible.”
Whether you’re looking to get into shape, or just get out of a funk, The Charge has got you covered. Sign up for our new wellness newsletter today.
