"It's not something I think about. We were so blessed to be able to have that contract done in 2008. We knew at the time that was more money than I ever could have imagined signing for, and it was a no-brainer for me. But we knew if I performed the way I felt I was capable of performing, that by league standards that by the time I got into my third or fourth or fifth season, that I'd be underpaid by league standards.

"But I don't look at it that way. I look at it as I'm fortunate to make the kind of money I make and be in the situation I'm in and be with the Packers' organization. I want to retire as a Packer. They know that, the fans know that, my teammates know that, and this is where I want to be. I'm not worried about [a new contract.] We're still a few years away from me completing this deal, and whenever it comes time to make a new deal, I'm looking forward to maybe signing my last deal, playing it out, and retiring."

Aaron Rodgers  wrote:

From KFFL

Packers | Aaron Rodgers update
Thu, 28 Mar 2013 07:11:44 -0700

Updating a previous item, there is league-wide speculation the Green Bay Packers and QB Aaron Rodgers are close to a contract extension that would see Rodgers earn an average of $25 million per year, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history. People familiar with the contract talks believe a deal will be completed this offseason, and could happen sooner rather than later.


http://www.kffl.com/team/17/nfl/green-bay-packers#ixzz2OsOu1WG1 

The key words here are EXTENSION and AVERAGE.

Extending AR's contract gives The Packers the option of including the money left on his current contract in his signing bonus and extending that money + any guaranteed money over the whole length of the contract.

The deal may be for an average of 25mil a year on paper, but the Guaranteed money is what is important.

I'm betting AR's cap hit will not exceed 10-12 mil for the 1st 4 years, then watch his yearly salary escalate.
That gives The Packers 4 years to work with other players, get them signed, then a restructure probably in the works for Aaron Rodgers after the 4th year.

Just a guess, but it is the way of The NFL contract negotiaions these days.

Originally Posted by: buckeyepackfan 

That is exactly how teams get into player contract and salary cap trouble, and Ted has shown the ability to NOT do that as much as possible.

Originally Posted by: PackFanWithTwins 

I've heard that it's going to be a 6 year deal averaging $25 million per. I wouldn't even sign Barry Sanders for that money.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 

Until you're an owner like Gunny and I; your opinion on these matter really doensn't mean much! [grin1]

Originally Posted by: DakotaT 

Depends on how the Signing Bonus and Roster Bonuses are handled.. look at Woodson's deal.. it had a ton of bonus money in it.. but past the first year or two.. most was roster bonuses which didn't hurt the Packers as the could exit out of it without much hit.

There is no other way to slice this though.. the QB position is becoming the new noose in which teams, players and the collective NFL will hang themselves from in terms of contract and cap balances.

And they all are assisting in getting themselves into it.. in our situation, I just hope Rodgers keeps his "big picture" mindset in a team first approach... well as much as this kind of money will allow.

I remember Brett setting the market for contract size... and the Packers were still allowed to remain competitive year in and out. I hope and remain confident in the Rodgers deal will do the same.

And a sizable bump to the cap in say 2015 may help as well. [grin1]

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 

I'm betting AR's cap hit will not exceed 10-12 mil for the 1st 4 years, then watch his yearly salary escalate.

I think they are going to commit a ton of real money in the signing bonus and they will take that bonus and structure it as effectively as possible for the first 4 to 5 years of the deal...

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 

I've heard that it's going to be a 6 year deal averaging $25 million per. I wouldn't even sign Barry Sanders for that money.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool