Kolek planning to go pro
The fact that Rodgers is currently under contract is how he doesn't have the leverage that Smith had. Smith wasn't under contract, although he couldn't sign with anyone else but the Cowboys, he was under no obligation to show up until they had a mutual agreement in place. Rodgers would be fined and miss game checks if he doesn't show.Despite what they are saying publicly, the Packers IMO wouldn't mind if he retired.
His defense turned Tom Brady over 3 times in the 2nd half of the NFC Championship game at Lambeau and he couldn't capitalize.
If Smith didn't show up while he had no contract, he wouldn't receive game checks. If Rodgers didn't show up while he has a contract, he wouldn't receive game checks.Smith couldn't force a trade and couldn't sign with another team.Rodgers can't force a trade or sign with another team.The leverage is the same ... except again, Rodgers already is a multi-bazillionaire while Smith did not have "generational money" at the time of his holdout. Rodgers could walk away and never have to even think about working another day in his life if he didn't want to; Smith didn't have that luxury. IMO, therefore, Rodgers has more leverage than Smith had.
It's clear you don't understand the CBA, his contract status, and how this would be impacted. Not only would he forego his entire compensation for the year, the Packers would be able to claw back about $13 million from a hold out. (Training camp fines plus prorated roster bonus.)Spotrac@spotracIf Aaron Rodgers stays away from the #Packers for the entire 2021 season, he stands to lose:- $500,000 workout bonus- $93,085 minicamp fines- $2.05M training camp fines- $14.7M base salary lost- $6.8M roster bonus unpaid- $11.5M signing bonus recoupedTotal: $35,643,085Rodgers has nowhere near the leverage that Smith had. Smith wasn't going to writing checks back to the team like Rodgers would have to. Rodgers, being under contract and under an owner-friendly CBA, faces significant financial obstacles to holding out.
Again, Rodgers already is richer than 99% of NFL players, and he has the power that being rich brings. But sure.
So I am trying to figure out this negotiated deal that means Rodgers will be back in camp. Rodgers gets a year off his deal, which is nice for him no doubt, but the Packers get salary cap flexibility which they apparently are going to use on Davante and Jaire. I guess he is less valuable on the trade market too with only one year remaining. And hypothetically they COULD let him play in 2022 with no tags the next year so he would be a UFA.This seems like a lot of drama for one voidable year...or am I missing something?
Rumor is that he is demanding the Packers trade for...Randall Cobb??
You're missing that his leverage helped him get most of what he wanted - ha!
After pondering this some more, I think you are right. Rodgers laid out his future in the NFL giving him more power that I think I have seen before. He is in control of his future. The Packers are just along for the ride. Brady went to TB and exerted control over personnel that Aaron never had in GB. But Brady never had the control of his future like Rodgers has now - he had to wait for free agency. I think this is also a bad omen for Davante. The only way he stays is if he gets a bigger contract than Hopkins.
Rodgers got nothing out of it. He wanted $45M/year, a guarantee he’d be the starting QB long term (guaranteed money for multiple years), or to be traded. He went 0 for 3. The Packers can still get out of his contract after this year. Which is what they wanted when they drafted Jordan Love in the first round.
Congrats to Rodgers, who got most of what he wanted.
He didn't. But keep spinning.
According to the reported agreement, the biggest thing Rodgers gets is the freedom to decide where he wants to play in 2022. No other player under a contract in the NFL has that. First NFL player to have NBA-style power. That.sounds like a win.
I have no idea what that means, and neither do you. If the Packers gave him an unlimited veto on any trade, then sure. But it doesn't seem like the Packers gave him anything of the sort.EDIT: Furthermore, if they did, it would be largely ceremonial in the first place. Rodgers wouldn't be traded somewhere where he wouldn't report in the first place.