Aaron Rodgers latest: The reigning MVP arrives at training camp
The NFL's biggest offseason drama has become a near-daily soap opera.
The conflict between Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers has been brewing since draft night back in April, when reports surfaced that Rodgers wanted out of Green Bay. The Packers, though, have stood firm that they don't have any interest in parting ways.
As the Packers prepare to report to training camp this week, it appears there is a resolution on the horizon.
Tuesday, July 27: He's back
No words can do this photo justice.
Rodgers showed up at Lambeau Field in style on Tuesday, a day before the first practice of training camp, apparently ready to get to work – flip flops and all.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero had the latest on Rodgers' arrival in Green Bay and what it means for the Packers moving forward.
"Rodgers' agents and the Packers have been working, particularly in the past few days, to finalize a revised contract to replace the three years that Rodgers had remaining on his current deal. We do not have full details of what it entails in the future years, but the short version of this, after all the speculation, all the reports, about this throughout the summer, Aaron Rodgers officially back inside Lambeau Field."
There you have it. Rodgers will at least be suiting up for Green Bay in 2021.
After that? Well, we'll all have to wait and see what next offseason holds.
Monday, July 26: An agreement near?
The early news Monday was music to the ears of Packers fans. Yes, Green Bay and the reigning MVP reportedly were close to an agreement that would see Rodgers suit up for the Packers in 2021.
Of course, what that means for Rodgers' future in Green Bay beyond this season remains murky, at best.
ESPN's Adam Schefter offered the details on the agreement in principle to get Rodgers into camp ahead of Tuesday's opening. The four major points were:
* The 2023 year in Rodgers' contract – the last one in his current deal – would be voided, with no tags allowed in the future.
* The Packers would agree to review Rodgers' situation at the end of this season.
* Rodgers' contract would be adjusted with no loss of income to give the Packers more cap room now.
* Mechanisms will be put in place to address Rodgers' issues with the team.
The consensus is if Rodgers still remains unhappy with the present situation in Green Bay after 2021, this reworked deal allows the Packers to pursue a trade and not let the QB walk without any form of compensation.
In return, Rodgers' contract for 2021 would be adjusted this season to provide the team with more cap room, while not impacting the QB's income.
What will the Packers do with that extra cap space? Per Schefter, signing Rodgers' All-Pro wideout target, Davante Adams, to an extension is on the table.
The Rodgers agreement is yet to be official, but watch this space for confirmation.
Either way, Monday's news is certainly a departure from where the latest bit of news left folks hanging, which was …
Tuesday, July 20: Rodgers reportedly turned down historic offseason extension
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Packers made an offseason offer to keep Rodgers in Green Bay for five additional seasons on a big-money extension.
As Schefter explained on "Get Up," the contract would have made the three-time league MVP not only the highest-paid player in the game but also the highest-paid player in league history.
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In the aftermath of the reported five-year extension, Nick Wright of "First Things First" raised an eyebrow at the report.
To Wright, the details of the extension — which remain unknown — would paint a more complete picture.
"You can offer a guy a 100-year contract," Wright said. "But when does the guaranteed money go away? When does your flexibility to move on from [Rodgers] start? And what are the real details of the deal? … I don't doubt that at some point the Packers offered Aaron Rodgers a great salary. But would that actually have guaranteed that Aaron Rodgers was going to be able to end his career in Green Bay the way he has said he wanted to? I would doubt that."
Colin Cowherd then weighed in later Tuesday morning, saying that this latest report is proof that at this point in his career, Rodgers is less concerned with money and more focused on controlling the twilight years of his career — but will be back in Green Bay next season.
However, Cowherd didn't rule out the possibility that the Packers could consider trading Rodgers this season or after the season.
"Before last year, Aaron had declined three straight years gradually. He hadn't fallen off the cliff, but there's a reason Green Bay went and drafted a quarterback. … Then he pops last year, and they're kinda trapped."
Perhaps the particulars of the reported offer will be revealed in the coming days, helping clarify the thinking on both sides.
Or, perhaps not, and the next chapter of the saga will hinge on another nugget of news being dropped.
Either way, we'll be waiting.
Stay tuned for more Rodgers updates as they come to light!
