Aaron Rodgers isn't going anywhere. The future Hall of Fame quarterback is staying with the Green Bay Packers, agreeing to a four-year deal worth up to $200 million, per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. As a result, Rodgers becomes the NFL's highest-paid player of all time.
The #Packers and MVP QB Aaron Rodgers have agreed to terms on a 4-year, $200M deal that makes him the highest paid player in NFL history, sources say. He gets a whopping $153M guaranteed and his cap number goes down. A monstrous commitment by GB for years to come. 💰 💰 💰
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2022
That is the first off-season quarterback domino to fall. With most expecting Russell Wilson to stay with the Seattle Seahawks, it is good news for the San Francisco 49ers, who will likely see increased interest in quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Update: Adam Schefter reports that the Seahawks are trading Wilson to the Denver Broncos.
Second-year quarterback Trey Lance, who backed up Garoppolo in 2021, is expected to be the 49ers' starter next season. He completed 57.7 of his passes for 603 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions in two starts and six game appearances last season. Lance added 168 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on 38 carries.
Rumors surrounding the interest in Garoppolo have been swirling across the media landscape. Some believe the Pittsburgh Steelers or Washington Commanders are the most likely destination. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might consider Garoppolo as a potential Tom Brady replacement. Even the New Orleans Saints have been rumored to be considering the veteran quarterback as an option.
The start of the new league year begins on March 16, and we'll likely know more about Garoppolo's future by then.