3 huge mistakes the Packers made this offseason that need to be fixed
2. Packers should have restructured Aaron Rodgers’ deal
NFL teams have been creative all offseason in terms of moving money around and restructuring deals to get under the salary cap. If it seems confusing, that is because the entire process is indeed just that.
So why did the Packers decide not to restructure Rodgers’ massive deal? It turns out that may have actually been in the plans.
I'd missed this the other day and it hasn't seen much run on here (surprisingly). @RapSheet said on @PatMcAfeeShow's show the #Packers wanted to convert Aaron Rodgers' base into signing bonus. Rodgers wanted an extension. Neither happened, so Green Bay moved money w/ other guys.
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) April 15, 2021
Rodgers is currently under contract through the 2023 season. His dead cap only drops to $17.2 million in 2022 before going down to $2.85 million in 2023. The fact he reportedly wanted an extension could mean he is eyeing a path similar to Tom Brady’s.
The Packers already ticked off Rodgers by drafting his replacement at a time when the team could have added a player at any other position on offense. Deciding not to restructure his deal against his will may have been done to avoid even more drama.
But there comes a point when both sides need to realize restructuring the deal could help the team as a whole. It would just be up to the front office to actually use the freed up cash to bring in more weapons.
This relationship is a weird one and the Packers need to figure out soon what the future plans are for Rodgers. If they want to move on after 2021, there is no need to hurt the team in the present.