Packers: Pat McAfee shuts down Aaron Rodgers rumor

Pat McAfee has shut down rumors of Packers QB Aaron Rodgers wanting $50 million per year.

Like a year ago, Aaron Rodgers’ future with the Green Bay Packers is one of the top stories of the offseason.

Speaking on the ‘Rich Eisen Show’ this week, ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported that Rodgers “wants to be the highest paid player in the NFL by a wide margin”, adding that “we’re talking about $50 million a year”.

If Rodgers does return to the Packers this year, the team will need to reduce his 2022 salary cap hit. The best way to do that would be on a new contract, which also gives Rodgers some long-term security from the team.

However, Pat McAfee responded on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ on Friday.

McAfee said he text Rodgers to ask whether there was any truth to him wanting to become the highest paid player by a wide margin, and he said the answer given was “categorically false”. You can find the full clip from the show below.

“For a long time narratives like this have just gone unchecked about this dude,” McAfee said.

There’s no doubt that Rodgers deserves to be the highest paid player in the NFL after winning back-to-back MVPs. No matter where he’s playing in 2022, it will likely be on a new deal.

However, it also wouldn’t be easy for the Packers to make it work, especially if they also plan on re-signing All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams.

The Packers have started taking steps to clear approximately $50 million in cap room, reportedly restructuring the contracts of Kenny Clark and Aaron Jones. A new Rodgers deal could also help create some cap room for 2022.

But to also bring back Adams, who is a free agent, the team will need to create even more cap space.

Rodgers said in his latest appearance on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ that he would be making his decision soon. With free agency just a few weeks away, what he chooses will have a huge impact on the Packers’ plans moving forward.