Rodgers, Packers yet to discuss new long-term deal
Barring a dramatic drop-off in play or a significant injury, it's likely only a matter of time before Aaron Rodgers regains his title as the NFL's highest-paid player.
Rodgers has seen the likes of Andrew Luck and Derek Carr surpass him, despite far inferior resumes. However, with the star quarterback contracted through the 2019 season, he said his representatives have yet to engage the Green Bay Packers in contract talks.
"I know what my value is and the team compensated me really, really well a few years ago," Rodgers told WTMJ TV last week, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "I hope the situation in a couple of years is a no-brainer. That means I'm playing well and the team's still moving in the right direction and that's what I can control. The other stuff, I let my agent handle that. We haven't even had any conversations, so it's not something I'm even thinking about. Like I said, I've got three years left on my deal."
Even with three years remaining, it would be a surprise if Rodgers isn't rewarded with an extension by this time next year. He currently ranks fifth in yearly salary - sixth if you count Kirk Cousins' franchise-tag figure - and is all but certain to be pushed further down the list when Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan receive extensions soon.
Green Bay's Super Bowl chances continue to rely on Rodgers' arm, and the Packers acknowledged they're bracing for another jump in the veteran pivot's salary.
"You need to plan for it," Packers president Mark Murphy told ESPN last week during an interview about the team's annual financial report.
Rodgers will probably have the leverage to push the quarterback market to new heights, so he isn't sweating currently playing on a below-market deal.
"When it comes to setting the market values, I let that stuff take care of itself," Rodgers said in June. "I know my value in this league, and I know the team appreciates me. I'm going to continue to make myself an indispensable part of this roster. When you do that, when your time comes up to get a contract, you usually get a contract extension."