Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are in the final stages of a reworked deal to bring the reigning NFL MVP back for the 2021 season, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The new pact will also help set up Rodgers' departure from Green Bay after this season, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.
The signal-caller was set to become a free agent following the 2023 campaign. But as part of the new agreement, Green Bay is willing to review Rodgers' situation after the upcoming season and void the last year of the nine-time Pro Bowler's current deal without potentially placing the tag on him, Schefter adds.
Rodgers, 37, skipped mandatory minicamp in June and has reportedly been disappointed with the Packers' front office for many reasons, including his current contract and Green Bay's recent personnel decisions. The three-time MVP, who reportedly declined a mega-extension this year, apparently told teammates during the offseason that he wasn't willing to return in 2021 if Brian Gutekunst remained general manager.
The extension Rodgers reportedly refused was for two years and would've tied him to the franchise for five more seasons while making him the highest-paid quarterback in football.
However, the two parties were able to verbally agree on a deal after talks intensified over the past weekend, sources told Schefter. The Packers are reportedly offering Rodgers concessions, which don't include money.
"We have been working tirelessly with Aaron's representatives," Gutekunst said Monday during the Packers' shareholders meeting, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Silverstein.
Packers president Mark Murphy described Rodgers' holdout as "challenging" but added the club remains committed to the signal-caller for 2021 and beyond, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky.
Murphy also praised Gutekunst, saying, "He is the man to lead us going forward."
Gutekunst and Co. reportedly also saw long-term contract talks with star receiver Davante Adams break off recently. However, Rodgers and Adams recently fueled speculation about their futures after both shared an image of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in a possible homage to the documentary, "The Last Dance."
The Packers stars formed the NFL's most prolific quarterback-receiver duo last season - the passer topped the league with 48 touchdowns, and the pass-catcher notched an NFL-high 18 TD receptions through 14 games.
