NFL insider: Packers set to make Aaron Rodgers highest-paid NFL player

The ball is in Aaron Rodgers’ court when it comes to whether he will play for the Packers next season. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday evening that Green Bay already has a deal in place to make the quarterback the highest-paid player in the NFL should he decide to return.

Rapoport made an appearance Tuesday at the NFL combine in Indianapolis where he offered more details on where negotiations stand between the Packers and their star.

“Here’s my understanding of where it stands with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers: the two sides are in negotiation for what is expected to be a short-term deal that would make him the highest-paid player in the NFL,” Rapoport said. “We are all waiting on a firm and final decision from Aaron Rodgers on definitely staying in Green Bay. He also could retire or ask the team that they consider a trade. But the way it’s going, certainly it is headed in a good place. He has spoken positively about the Packers. The fact they are negotiating a possible deal for him to maybe take when he makes the decision, it’s all good news.”

Rodgers is set to enter the final year of his contract with the Packers next season, causing much speculation about his future. If the team keeps him in 2022, it will take a cap hit of $46.1 million under his current deal, more than 20% of their salary cap space. Cutting or trading Rodgers would free up $19.9 million.

With that in mind, it’s difficult not to wonder what the ramifications of making Rodgers the highest-paid player in the league would be. However, Rapoport said he doesn’t see it being a huge issue.

“I’m not concerned about the money,” he said. “They will figure it out because he’s going to be the highest-paid player if he accepts a market deal. I don’t think anyone disputes that he’s worth it. Rodgers has been pretty open and up front about the positive communication he had after the season. He stayed three or four extra days in Green Bay and they went over literally everything from players he would keep, contracts, what the draft would look like, everything as if he was going to be back. He hasn’t told them he’s going to be back, but again these are the sort of actions of someone who is strongly considering returning next year.”

Although he hasn’t avoided speaking with media, Rodgers has offered no clues on which way he is leaning. The quarterback most recently made an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show last week, but shut down questions about his decision.

“There will be no news today,” he said. “No decision on my future.”

This past season, Rodgers claimed his second straight MVP award as he threw for 4,115 yards and ranked third in the NFL with a 68.9% completion percentage. He also threw for a league-low four interceptions and 37 touchdowns — giving him one of the best touchdown-to-interception ratios of the year.

The quarterback has previously said he anticipates announcing his plans before March 8, the deadline for NFL teams to tag franchise players.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report.